| In the mid 70’s, a team of
European researchers ventured off to
Greenland to study the unique
lifestyle of native Inuit Eskimos.
They couldn’t have possibly imagined
how significant their findings would
be. The Inuits’ diet was simple and
consisted primarily of fatty fish –
whale, salmon, sardine, seal, and
mackerel. No surprise there. What
did surprise researchers was how
unexplainably healthy these natives
were. Strong hearts. Clear skin.
Powerful joints. All this from a
diet that contained towering amounts
of fat.
This fat-fueled lifestyle
bewildered researchers. Then the
connection was made. These fatty
foods were loaded with substances
that the body must have in order to
remain healthy – omega-3 essential
fatty acids. Fast forwarding 30
years, fish oil supplements aren’t
just popular, they’re nutritional
threads that help weave the fabric
of human wellness.
Understanding EFA
We refer to essential fatty
acids (EFA) as essential
for a reason. They are vital to
human health despite the body’s
inability to manufacture its own
supply. For this reason, they must
be obtained through the diet or
supplementation. Fish oil contains
two of the most biologically active
fatty acids; EPA (eicosapentaenoic
acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid)
with the most common sources being
deep-sea, cold-water fish.
Thanks to a lifetime of oxidative
stress, the body is in a constant
state of self-repair. In order to
do this, it needs a generous cache
of healthy, unsaturated fats capable
of constructing cell membranes that
are elastic and functional. This
makes it easier for the heart to
return to a normal resting state. A
deficiency in good fat
forces the body to use saturated fat
in the construction of new cells.
As the body’s reserve of saturated
fat begins to outnumber the
unsaturated, the cardiovascular
process becomes more and more
compromised.
In the fall of 2004, after
reviewing years of convincing
studies, the FDA approved the use of
a qualified claim for omega-3 EFA.
It states that “supportive but
not conclusive research shows that
consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3
fatty acids may reduce the risk of
coronary heart disease”. When
you consider how selective the FDA
is in qualifying health claims, this
becomes even more impressive.
The benefits of fish oils don’t
stop at the cardiovascular
system, however. A wealth of
studies have been conducted
examining their role in
depression, mood, vision, skin,
immune system function,
pregnancy, joint health and
migraines just to name a few.
EFA for a Healthy Heart
Omega-3 fish oil has
become synonymous with
cardiovascular integrity, and is
supported by years of
substantiated research. Many of
these studies suggest that
omega-3 plays a key role in
maintaining healthy cholesterol
levels, normalizing blood
pressure range and supporting a
healthy heart beat. It also
serves as a natural blood
thinner capable of preventing
platelet aggregation; a
condition where coronary blood
flow becomes sticky and prone to
clotting. Finally, fish oil has
been shown to help boost HDL
(good) cholesterol while
lowering triglycerides within
the normal range.
Omega-3 and Healthy Mood
A now famous Harvard study
(Stoll et al., 1999)
determined that individuals
suffering from manic and mood
disorders collectively exhibit low
levels of EPA and DHA. During this
double-blind, placebo-controlled
study, nearly 75% of the subjects
treated with omega-3 experienced
relief from their symptoms.
According to Dr. Stoll, “Our study
results indicate that fish oil does
possess the elements needed to
stabilize mood.”
Say Goodbye to
Inflammation
A growing number of
individuals who live with stiff
joints, inflammation and occasional
aches are turning to omega-3 fish
oil. Within the body, DHA and EPA
compounds are converted into
powerful anti-inflammatory agents
known as prostaglandins.
Many users have reported that
supplementation has helped them
reduce the frequency at which they
consumed NSAIDS (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs).
Choosing a quality
formula
When the time comes to
choose, nothing is more important
than selecting a quality formula
that’s been tested for safety and
purity. NOW takes the guesswork out
of searching for omega-3 supplements
that are safe and effective. Our
comprehensive selection of premium
fish oil is subject to strict
testing, thorough screening and a
mandatory purification process.
NOW’s Quality Control and Quality
Assurance departments verify the use
of several purification processes
that help reduce PCBs, dioxins,
toxic heavy metals and other
contaminants to non-detectable
levels.*
Some recent research has shown that taking a daily fatty acid supplement may boost the effectiveness (or even replace) antidepressants in some people. Depressed people who added omega-3s to their treatment showed less anxiety, fewer sleeping problems, less overall sadness, and fewer sexual problems.
• Even for non-depressed people, FFA may offer mood elevating properties.
• Other research has shown that a daily dose of FFA can dramatically improve the behavior of unruly children and help develop their concentration and language skills.
• FFA have been shown to reduce tension and stress in adults.
• The "mood stabilizing" effects have such potential that omega-3s have been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
• After seeing some hopeful results, researchers are now studying how FFA can be used in the treatment of postpartum depression and in the recovery process of meth addicts.
• FFA may help improve memory.
• FFA may also help in the treatment of Alzheimer's, ADHD, and autism.
• Researchers in Scotland have found that people who take FFA score 13% higher on IQ tests. Just think, members of Congress might even hit the triple digits if they took fish oil!
Since asthma, like heart disease, is also a disease characterized by inflammation, functional fatty acids could help. • FFA help improve digestion and elimination.
• FFA may help increase sex drive.
• FFA can help in the treatment of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).
• Omega-3s in fish oil protect the eye from two serious eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration and dry-eye syndrome.
• FFA have been shown to prevent heart damage caused by smog.
• FFA may help boost the immune system.
• FFA supplements were found to protect the skin from harmful UV rays and reduce sunburn.
• The anti-inflammatory effects of FFA may provide some relief for asthmatics who suffer from exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).
• One study showed that a daily supplement of FFA makes arthritis medicine unnecessary for many patients. |
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NOW
Omega-3 Fish Oil, 1000mg
200 softgels
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 2 softgels
Servings Per Container: 100
Amount
Per Serving % Daily
Value*
Total Calories 20
Calories From Fat 20
Total Fat 2 g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.5 g 3%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Cholesterol 12 mg 4%
Omega-3 Fatty Acids 600 mg
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) 360 mg
Docosahaxaenoic Acid (DHA) 240 mg
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Ingredients: Fish oil concentrate, gelatin, glycerin, water and natural Vitamin E.
Recommended Use: As a dietary supplement, take two softgels 1-3 times daily with meals.
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