You CAN get your omega-3s every day!

Heart Disease & StrokeBrain & Cognitive

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By Terry Lemerond

We all need omega-3s for a healthy heart and sharp mind, but getting them into the diet can be tough. But if you don’t eat a lot of fish or have found it difficult to keep up with your omega-3 supplementation, you’re really missing out on some amazing benefits.

Fortunately, there is another, more convenient way to get your omega-3s – plus other valuable nutrients -- from salmon. It uses a revolutionary process called “vectorization” to provide the DHA, EPA, phospholipids, and peptides you’ve been missing in just one tablet per day.

Vectorization uses enzymes and water, rather than solvents or heat, to extract omega-3s from the head of the fish. This is preferable to omega-3s extracted from the fat of the fish, where polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are typically concentrated. This process also retains a natural ratio of DHA and EPA.

Vectorization immediately following the catch allows the omega-3s to remain bound to phospholipids – making them easier for the body to absorb and use. They are also incredibly stable, so with this particular supplemental form you don’t have to worry about rancidity or fish burps – a common occurrence with triglyceride-bound oils. The DHA and EPA structure is exactly the way they exist in nature, because the processing is so minimal. Since these omega-3s remain in their original positions on the carbon chain (sn-2), they are bioidentical – that is, a perfect match – to the positioning of omega-3 fatty acids in the human brain. ^1-3

The revolutionary method also leaves valuable phospholipids intact. Phospholipids make the supplement a more stable source of omega-3s, (up to 3 years at room temperature) so you don’t have to worry about rancidity or fish burps. And, because phospholipids are fats that contain phosphorus, they provide a variety of health benefits, including:

• Phosphatidylcholine (PC) – protects the “engine” of your cells – the mitochondria – from oxidative damage
• Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) – helps build the myelin sheath around nerve cells to keep nerve signals firing properly
• Phosphatidylinositol (Pl) – plays a major role in nerve and brain signals, helping to keep your brain healthy and your mood positive.
• Sphingomyelin (Sph) – a strong supporter of overall brain health.
• Phosphatidylserine – one of the most widespread phospholipids, often recommended as a stand-alone supplement for broad-spectrum brain health.

Along with omega-3s and phospholipids, vectorization provides another benefit – peptides. Formed from amino acids, peptides are activated during the digestive process, and can boost your mood and protect your heart.

Without a doubt, omega-3 fatty acids have shown remarkable benefits. Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) hold cells together and protect them against invaders. EPA and DHA from fish oil improve heart health and blood profiles, relieve pain through anti-inflammatory action, enhance immunity, elevate mood, alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and menstrual pain, promote brain and vision development in infants and children, and help treat depression.^4-7

So getting omega-3s is truly essential. But it’s time to rethink the delivery of these nutrients so that everyone can actually get these nutrients every day easily. If you’ve been inconsistent with your omega-3s, this vectorized, phospholipid-bound form is worth looking into for the sake of your good health.

References:

1. Parmentier M, Al Sayed Mahmoud C, Linder M, Fanni J, et al. Polar lipids: n-3 PUFA carriers for membranes and brain: nutritional interest and emerging processes. Oleagineux, Corps Gras, Lipides; Volume 14 (Issue 3): 2007; p.224-9.

2. Bourre JM. Roles of unsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids) in the brain at various ages and during aging. J Nutr Health Aging. 2004; 8(3):163-74.

3. Analysis at the Nancy-Universite, INPL-ENSAIA; Laboratoire de Science et Genie Alimentaires, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.

4. Fish Oils. In: Hendler SS, ed. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. 2nd ed. Montvale, NJ: Physician’s Desk Reference; 2008:208-214.

5. Kendall-Tackett K. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and women’s mental health in the perinatal period and beyond. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2010;55(6):561-7.

6. Rocha Araujo DM, Vilarim MM, Nardi AE. What is the effectiveness of the use of polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-3 in the treatment of depression? Expert Rev Neurother. 2010 Jul;10(7):1117-29.

7. Chang JP, Chen YT, Su KP. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 PUFAs) in Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and Depression: The Missing Link? Cardiovasc Psychiatry Neurol. 2009;2009:725310. Epub 2009 Sep 27.