origin

Omega-3 fatty acids belong to the group of unsaturated fatty acids. If all carbon atoms in a fatty acid are saturated with hydrogen atoms, it is called "saturatedFatty acids. These are usually of animal origin and can raise our cholesterol levels and cause changes in our blood vessels, which is why they should only be consumed in moderation. If, however, at least two adjacent carbon atoms are connected by double bonds, they are called "unsaturated" fatty acids. If there are several of these double bonds, they are called "polyunsaturated fatty acids."

"omega", as the last letter of the Greek alphabet, stands for the last carbon atom within the fatty acid chain, at the methyl end. The first double bond at this end is located at the third carbon atom, which explains the number "3" in the name.

The most important omega-3 fatty acids include:

• the 3-fold saturated alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in linseed, rapeseed and walnut oil
• the 5-fold saturated eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which comes from the fat of cold-water fish such as salmon
• the 6-fold saturated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fish oils and some algae

Omega-3 fatty acids (also called linolenic acid) are among the “essential fatty acids", which the body cannot produce itself from other nutrients. In addition to Omega-3, v.a. the omega-6 fatty acid, also known as linoleic acid. While there is usually no shortage of omega-6 fatty acids in our diet, the situation is different with omega-3: according to the 12th Nutrition Report of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), both men and women significantly undercut the recommended amounts for fish—namely, 80-150 grams of low-fat sea fish and 70 grams of fatty sea fish per week. On average, men consume only 250 mg of EPA/DHA per day, and women only 150 mg. This underscores the importance of dietary supplements in providing omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to the absolute amount, the optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is also important. According to nutritional scientists, this is 3-5 to 1. In reality, however, it is 20:1. Too much omega-6 fatty acid (v.aArachidonic acid) in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism and arthritis. The EPA fatty acid displaces arachidonic acid within the metabolism and thus counteracts inflammation. To benefit from the advantages of omega-6 fatty acids without harming the body elsewhere, a balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is important.

Benefits and mode of action

DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal Brain function and vision provided that at least 250 mg are consumed daily. In addition, EPA and DHA contribute to normal Heart function provided they are consumed in a daily amount of 250 mg. Replacing saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet contributes to maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels.

With reference to infants DHA intake (100 mg daily) contributes to the normal development of vision up to 12 months of age. Maternal DHA intake (200 mg daily supplement) contributes to normal brain and eye development in the fetus and breastfed infant.

Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to a normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and to maintain normal blood pressure (2 or 3 g daily are required for this).

Studies

The US government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the world’s largest biomedical research organization and has a comprehensive overview of the current Current research on omega-3 fatty acids published on their website: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/

There it says u.a.: "People who eat fish and other seafood have a lower risk of various chronic diseases […]."

The current study situation regarding the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on health includes the following: Subject areas called:

Cardiovascular disease: Many studies show that eating oily fish and other seafood as part of a healthy diet helps maintain heart health and protect against some heart problems. Consuming more EPA and DHA from foods or supplements can lower triglyceride levels, for example. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people with heart disease consume about 1 g of EPA and DHA per day, preferably from oily fish.

Infant health and developmentDuring pregnancy and breastfeeding, eating 8-12 ounces of fish and other seafood per week can improve the baby's health. However, it's important to choose fish with higher EPA and DHA content, such as salmon. Some studies also show that taking omega-3 supplements can slightly increase a baby's birth weight and the length of time the baby stays in the womb. Both can be beneficial. Breast milk also contains DHA.

Cancer preventionSome studies suggest that people who consume more omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of breast cancer and possibly colon cancer. However, a large clinical trial found that omega-3 supplements did not reduce the overall risk of cancer, nor did they reduce the risk of breast, prostate, or colon cancer. Further ongoing clinical trials will help clarify whether omega-3 fatty acids affect cancer risk.

Alzheimer's disease, dementia and cognitive functionSome—but not all—research shows that people who consume more omega-3 fatty acids from foods like fish may have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other problems with cognitive function. Further research on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the brain is needed.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Studies suggest that people who get higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from the foods they eat may have a lower risk of developing AMD. However, once someone has AMD, taking omega-3 supplements won't prevent the disease from worsening or slow vision loss.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA causes chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Some clinical studies have shown that taking omega-3 supplements in combination with standard RA medications and other treatments may help manage RA. For example, people with RA who take omega-3 supplements may require fewer pain-relieving medications, but it's not clear whether the supplements reduce joint pain, swelling, or morning stiffness.

The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on Heart health has been intensively researched for several decades. v.a.DHA and EPA in focus. For example, a US meta-study examined 18 randomized clinical trials and 16 prospective cohort studies. When looking at risk groups, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a 16% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease in participants with elevated triglyceride levels (>= 150 mg/dl) and a 14% reduction in participants with high LDL cholesterol levels (>= 130 mg/dl). The results from the cohort studies were even more striking: they showed a reduction of as much as 18% with the intake of omega-3 fatty acids. (see Alexander, Dominik D., et al., A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Cohort Studies of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Coronary Heart Disease Risk, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, January 2017, Volume 92, Issue 1, pp. 15 - 29.)

A 2016 meta-study based on 19 clinical studies from 16 countries with a total of ~46,000 participants postulates that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, d.h. DPA and EPA, the Increase chances of survival after a heart attack: Those participants with the highest levels of omega-3 were found to have a 25 percent higher survival rate following a heart attack than those with the lowest levels of omega-3 in their blood. However, there was no significant evidence that omega-3 fatty acids also reduce the likelihood of a heart attack. The researchers only found that DPA reduced the risk of a heart attack by six percent, although this was not statistically significant. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27357102/

Qidosha products

The key to the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids is the proportion of EPA and EHA – both components are particularly high in the QIDOSHA product, at 50% and 25%, respectively. DHA is particularly important for brain performance and, when optimally available in the body, can support learning and cognitive abilities. EPA, on the other hand, is particularly supportive during physical exertion and can have a positive effect on mood.