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 "saturated“ Fatty acids. These are usually of animal origin and can increase our cholesterol levels and cause changes to our blood vessels, which is why they should only be consumed in moderation. If, on the other hand, at least two neighboring carbon atoms are connected by double bonds, it is called an “unsaturated” fatty acid. If there are several of these double bonds, it is called a “polyunsaturated fatty acid”.

"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 on 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 linoleic acid) are among the “essential fatty acids“, which the body cannot produce itself from other nutrients. In addition to omega-3, this also includes omega-6 fatty acids, which are 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), the recommended amounts for fish, namely 80-150 grams of low-fat sea fish and 70 grams of fatty sea fish per week, are significantly undercut by both men and women. Men consume an average of just 250 mg of EPA/DHA per day, and women only 150 mg. This underlines the importance of dietary supplements in the supply of 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 (especially arachidonic acid) is problematic in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism and arthritis. The EPA fatty acid displaces the arachidonic acid within the metabolism and thus counteracts inflammation. In order 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 therefore important.

Benefits and Effects

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 that they are consumed in an amount of 250 mg daily. Replacing saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet helps maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.

With reference to infants The intake of DHA (100 mg daily) contributes to the normal development of vision up to 12 months of age. The intake of DHA (200 mg daily additional) by the mother contributes to the normal development of the brain and eyes in the fetus and breastfed infant.

Omega-3 fatty acids help to maintain a normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and to maintain normal blood pressure (this requires 2 or3 g daily required).

studies

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

It states, among other things: “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 fatty fish and other types of seafood as part of a healthy diet helps keep the heart healthy and protects against some heart problems. Consuming more EPA and DHA from foods or supplements, for example, lowers triglyceride levels. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people with heart disease consume about 1 g of EPA and DHA per day, preferably from fatty fish.

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

cancer screening: Some 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. More ongoing clinical trials will help clarify whether omega-3 fatty acids affect cancer risk.

Alzheimer's disease, dementia and cognitive function: Some - 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. More 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. But once someone has AMD, taking omega-3 supplements will not prevent the disease from getting worse 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 need 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. The focus is primarily on DHA and EPA. In a US meta-study, for example, 18 randomized clinical trials and 16 prospective cohort studies were examined. When looking at risk groups, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids led to 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 result from the cohort studies was even clearer: these showed a reduction of as much as 18% when taking 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, i.e. DPA and EPA, Increasing the chances of survival after a heart attack: Those participants who had the highest levels of omega-3 had a 25 percent higher chance of surviving a heart attack than those with the lowest levels of omega-3 in their blood. However, it was not possible to significantly confirm that omega-3 fatty acids also reduce the likelihood of a heart attack occurring. The scientists 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 can support learning and thinking skills when optimally available in the body. EPA, on the other hand, is particularly supportive during physical exertion and can have a positive effect on mood.