Omega-3s & Immunity

versatility
Other health conditions that may benefit from fish oil supplementation:

Allergies

Alzheimer’s disease

Arthritis

Asthma

Attention deficit disorder

Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, etc.)

Cancer (prevention and treatment adjunct)

Depression

Diabetes

Eczema

Elevated triglyceride levels

Heart disease (prevention and treatment)

High blood pressure

Inflammatory conditions (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)

Macular degeneration

Menopause

Osteoporosis

Pregnancy

Psoriasis

A recent study showed that women who consume fish oil during pregnancy may decrease the number of colds that their babies contract early in life. Cold symptoms occurred 24 percent less often among babies whose mothers took docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Symptoms also resolved faster for the supplement group.

These results aren’t surprising. They’re just another addition to the growing body of evidence that highlights the critical roles long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA play in human health.

A Cellular Approach

How can omega-3s improve immune function? Through their effects on cell membranes, including white blood cells. Every cell in the body needs homeostasis-a constant internal environment. And a healthy cell membrane, the wall between the internal cell and the outside, is key. Without this membrane, cells lose their ability to hold water and vital nutrients, as well as the ability to communicate.

Cell membranes are composed chiefly of fatty acids derived from the diet. As a result, the composition of cell membranes-and the resulting structure, function, and integrity-can be influenced by dietary changes. A diet composed mostly of saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans-fatty acids produces cell membranes that are much less fluid in nature than the membranes of people who eat optimum levels of monounsaturated fat and EPA and DHA from fish oils.

Fish Oils and White Blood Cells

• In addition to their critical role in cell membrane health, omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to impact immune function by:
• Regulating gene expression of white blood cells, which helps regulate proper immune function.
• Reducing the production of inflammatory compounds that can damage the immune system.
• Improving the manner in which immune cells communicate with each other, leading to improved immune system function.

Prostaglandins

The body also transforms EPA and DHA into compounds known as prostaglandins, which carry out many important tasks including regulating inflammation. They also help maintain blood pressure and regulate heart, digestive, and kidney function.

Through their effects on prostaglandins, omega-3s can mediate many physiological processes, making them useful in virtually every disease state.

Practical Matters

One of the major advances in nutritional medicine has been the development of fish oil supplements that contain highly concentrated forms of omega-3s while being free of lipid peroxides, heavy metals, and environmental contaminants. These “pharmaceutical grade” supplements are so very superior to earlier fish oil products that they are literally revolutionizing nutritional medicine.

For general health, the recommended dosage is 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA daily. Read the label carefully: You want to get 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA, not 1,000 mg of fish oil. For therapeutic purposes such as reducing inflammation and allergies or lowering triglyceride levels, the dosage recommendation is usually 3,000 mg of EPA and DHA daily

Go Shopping!

Keep your child’s immune system strong with the help of Carlson labs for kids chewable dha in Bursting Orange Flavor. Kids age 4 and up can chew one to two softgels daily.

minami nutrition platinum ultimate once daily omega-3 + D3 is a highly concentrated fish oil supplement with immune-boosting vitamin D3-all in a single-serving softgel.

Natural factors rxomega-3 factors, Ultra strength, is a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil with high levels of EPA, DHA, fish oil concentrate, and omega-3s. Use one softgel daily.

Michael T. Murray, ND, is the author of more than 30 books on natural health, including The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Third Edition. He is regarded as one of the world’s top authorities on natural medicine, and is a sought-after lecturer and educator. Visit him online at doctormurray.com.