| An extensive research study conducted in | | | | Omega 3 in recent years just about everyone |
| Sweden and published in the Journal of the | | | | has now heard of it, but many people are still |
| American Medical Association in September 2006 | | | | unaware of why it is fish sources of Omega 3 |
| found that women who ate fatty fish at least | | | | that are particularly important. |
| once a week lowered their risk of developing | | | | Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) |
| renal cell carcinoma by up to 74% over women | | | | Fatty fish like Salmon, Herring, Sardines and |
| who didn't eat fatty fish at all. | | | | Mackerel contain high levels of the essential |
| The study, led by Professor Alicja Wolk from the | | | | Omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA |
| Karolinska Institutet, involved analysing data | | | | and Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, as much as 30 |
| obtained from over 61,000 women between the | | | | times more than other less oily types of fish. |
| ages of 40 and 76 over a period of | | | | However, many people don't know that there are |
| approximately 15 years. The women were asked | | | | significant differences between Omega 3 sourced |
| to complete a food questionnaire both at the | | | | from fish and Omega 3 sourced from plants. |
| beginning and then again at the end of the study. | | | | An increasing amount of producers are putting |
| The results showed a correlation between eating | | | | Omega 3 into our food but the reality is that |
| one or more portions of fatty fish a week and a | | | | most of it is in the form of ALA, or alpha-linolenic |
| reduced risk of kidney cancer. | | | | acid. ALA is a plant based Omega 3 fatty acid |
| Kidney cancer is still a relatively rare type of | | | | found in dark green leafy vegetables and certain |
| cancer affecting men more than women but the | | | | vegetable oils, but the body cannot synthesise this |
| indications are that it is on the increase globally. | | | | Omega 3 fatty acid to produce EPA and DHA and |
| This research study is the first of its kind as | | | | it is these two fatty acids that are responsible for |
| there are no previous studies looking specifically at | | | | the profound health benefits associated with |
| the link between eating fatty fish, as opposed to | | | | Omega 3. In fact, research indicates that the |
| eating fish in general, and its effect on kidney | | | | conversion rate from ALA to EPA and DHA might |
| cancer. Fatty fish are high in Omega 3 and these | | | | even be less than 5%. This means it isn't possible |
| latest results join the increasing amount of | | | | to get the amount of Omega 3 required from |
| evidence substantiating the enormous health | | | | plants to make any significant difference to our |
| benefits to be gained by increasing consumption | | | | health. |
| of Omega 3. | | | | EPA on the other hand can arguably be |
| What does Omega 3 do? | | | | considered the most important fatty acid as we |
| Omega 3 is anti-inflammatory and so helps to | | | | can produce DHA if we have enough EPA in the |
| reduce any inflammation in the body and alleviate | | | | diet. However, the only way we can get enough |
| the symptoms of any inflammatory based | | | | EPA is either to eat a lot more oily fish, or to |
| condition including arthritis, allergies and skin | | | | supplement our diet with fish oil. Government |
| problems. It also thins the blood helping to prevent | | | | health guidelines currently recommend that adults |
| blood clots and consequently strokes. It can boost | | | | should eat 2 portions of fish a week, one of |
| the immune system and so helps fight off | | | | which should be oily, but certainly no more than 4 |
| infection. Numerous research studies have also | | | | due to the potential risk posed by certain toxins |
| shown it can improve brain function in general so | | | | that can be present in fresh fish. |
| can have an effect on mood and behaviour and | | | | EPA Fish oil |
| as such, can help to treat and even prevent | | | | Certainly it would appear that the combined |
| many types of depression and conditions | | | | benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for |
| affecting the brain including slowing down the | | | | physical and mental wellbeing in general and one of |
| progression of Alzheimer's disease. | | | | the most effective ways of making sure you get |
| In particular, the protective benefits for the heart | | | | enough Omega 3 in your diet to make a |
| are probably the most well known and | | | | difference, is to supplement with good quality fish |
| documented throughout the world. | | | | oil where the toxins have been removed, and to |
| As a result of the amount of publicity surrounding | | | | choose one that is high in EPA. |