Description
What is EPA/DHA?
They are omega 3 fatty acids that are critical to the health and maintenance of the brain, eyes and nervous system. They are a vital step in decreasing inflammation in the body. EPA/DHA have been shown to decrease the LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL (good cholesterol) it can reduce blood pressure and is an anti-clotting agent or blood thinner .This helps the red blood cells bring more oxygen and nutrients to the cells as well as help remove more waste products from the cells. Decreasing the viscosity of the blood also increases your immune system strength because the white blood cells can get to the pathogens quicker to eat them. this includes bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, candida and cancer cells. The latest research is showing that EPA/DHA is a powerful agent in destroying cancer cells. Up to 40% of the essential fatty acids that make up the brain comes from DHA. DHA has also shown to benefit ADHD as well as depression. It has mood stabilization effects probably because it is the most necessary fatty acid in the brain and most Americans are deficient in it. Deficiencies in EPA/DHA have been linked with the cognitive decline (memory loss, brain fog) onset of dementia, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s and even schizophrenia.
How much should I take?
The initial dose will be 9 caps per day for at least 3 months to build up your levels of EPA/DHA then after levels have normalized you can go on a maintenance dose of 3-6 caps per day. This is 3 bottles per month for the first 3 months. Most all Americans are deficient in these essential fatty acids and need supplementation.
Isn’t this the EPA/DHA that is in fish oil?
EPA/DHA is the main reason fish has health benefits. The problem with getting it from a fish source is that as you eat up the food chain you concentrate toxins and chemical. All fish have been contaminated with chemicals and toxins from the environment especially heavy metals like mercury. Remember the rule do not do something that helps your health in one area and hurts your health in another. Our EPA/DHA is made from a new technology that extracts the fatty acids from algae (Fish get their EPA/DHA by eating algae). This new process insures a pure, chemical/toxin free source of EPA/DHA without the dangerous toxins, chemicals and heavy metals that are found in fish oil. It is completely plant based and is suitable for vegans who consume no animal products.
Health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain and is also required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults. The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning. DHA is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their formula includes DHA. DHA deficiencies are associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis, depression, aggressive hostility. Decreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive decline during aging and with onset of sporadic Alzheimer disease. The leading cause of death in western nations is cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between EPA/DHA consumption and reduction in sudden death from myocardial infarction. The reduction is approximately 50% with DHA. Not only does EPA/DHA reduce triglycerides in the blood and decrease thrombosis, but it also prevents cardiac arrhythmias. The association of DHA deficiency with depression is the reason for the robust positive correlation between depression and myocardial infarction. EPA/DHA decreases the proliferation of tumor cells, whereas arachidonic acid from animal products, increases their proliferation. These opposite effects are also seen with inflammation, particularly with rheumatoid arthritis, and with asthma. DHA has a positive effect on diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, atherosclerosis, depression, adult-onset diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and some cancers.
Animal experiments and clinical intervention studies indicate that EPA/DHA have anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, might be useful in the management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Coronary heart disease, major depression, aging and cancer are characterized by an increased level of interleukin 1 (IL-1), a proinflammatory cytokine. Similarly, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and lupus erythematosis are autoimmune diseases characterized by a high level of IL-1 and the proinflammatory leukotriene LTB. There have been a number of clinical trials assessing the benefits of dietary supplementation with EPA/DHA in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in humans, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and migraine headaches.
Researchers found that people with the highest levels of docosahexenoic acid (DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid) had significantly lower blood-levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an indicator of blood vessel inflammation, which can lead to the formation of heart disease. In fact, studies have shown that high levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore, the greater the amount of DHA present, the greater likelihood of cardiovascular benefits because of it lowering CRP levels.