Links to References for EFA
 

Here are some links to references for EFA; if you click on the link, it will take you to the document.

If you would like to see where the link is taking you, before selecting it, roll the mouse cursor over the hyperlink; you should then be able to see the URL of the link. In Internet Explorer and Firefox, it is shown on the left of the Status Bar, immediately above the Start button on the bottom of the window. If the Status Bar is not visible, left click on View on the top toolbar. Look for a tick next to Status Bar, to show that it is visible. If it is not ticked, left click on Status Bar. Each time you do this, you toggle the Status Bar on or off. For security, to know the true destination of links, I suggest that you leave the Status Bar visible at all times.

Some documents are in pdf format; others are HTML, which often uses larger text and is easier to read. In some cases, for example AJCN articles, you have the option to download the document in pdf format; check the options on the page.

Some of these references are fairly complex scientific articles; others are easier to read. This selection of references is slightly biased, reflecting my particular interest in EFA and vegetarianism.

EFA - General Articles
AJCN Special Supplement, Volume 71, Issue 1 (Jan 1 2000) - Contains links to numerous articles on EFA. The next two articles, from the AJCN supplement, are suggested for general reading:
Importance of n-3 fatty acids in health and disease
Lessons from the story of n-3 fatty acids
Alpha-Linolenic Acid: A Gift From the Land?
Essential Fatty Acids - ARL
Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis Application Guide - Genova
Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Reviews - Contains links to numerous articles on DHA
Fats You Need -- Essential Fatty Acids
Life Extension - Omega - 3 fatty acids - Contains abstracts for several articles.
Fats: Brain Food and Much More
The Oil Crisis.

EFA - Chemistry
Biochemical effects of a diet containing foods enriched with n-3 fatty acids
Conversion of -linolenic acid in humans is influenced by theConversion of -linolenic acid in humans is influenced by the. absolute amounts of -linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the diet and. not by their ratio
Conversion of -linolenic acid to longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human adults
Distribution, interconversion, and dose response of n–3 fatty acids in humans
Metabolism of stearidonic acid in human subjects: comparison with the metabolism of other n-3 fatty acids

EFA - Recognition of Importance by Authorities
FDA Announces Qualified Health Claims for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

EFA - Recommended Intakes
Fats: Total fat AND fatty acids - Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand
n–3 Fatty acid dietary recommendations and food sources to achieve essentiality and cardiovascular benefits
Means of Delivering Recommended Levels of Long Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Human Diets
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTAKE OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN HEALTHY ADULTS

EFA - Importance of DHA in the Brain
DHA and its Importance in Brain Function
Essential Fatty Acids and the Brain
Is docosahexaenoic acid, an n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, required for development of normal brain function? An overview of evidence from cognitive and behavioral tests in humans and animals
Is Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Essential? Lessons from DHA Status Regulation, Our Ancient Diet, Epidemiology and Randomized Controlled Trials
The Human Brain - Fats
THE IMPACT OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS ON THE BRAIN
Health Benefits of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
ROLE OF THE ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN HUMAN BRAIN

EFA - Depression
Understanding the Biochemical and Biobehavioral Nexus of Depression
Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency might play role in depression

EFA - Treatment and Prevention of Diseases
Testing for possible causes and treatment of IBS
Clinical Applications of Fatty Acid Profiling
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production
Disorders of lipid metabolism evidence-based nutrition practice guideline.
Omega-3 fatty acids Their beneficial role in cardiovascular health
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases
Risks and benefits of omega 3 fats for mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review
Essential role of fats throughout the lifecycle - This is a special supplement to eMJA, with links to several articles.
CONFIDENTIAL - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID INTAKE AND RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Omega-3 Fat Lowers Alzheimer’s Risk

EFA - Testing Laboratories - USA
Genova Diagnostics Sample Report
Metametrix Sample Report

EFA - Testing Laboratories - Australia
ARL Pathology Sample Report
Diagnostic Insight

EFA - Fish and Fish Oil Contamination
Trace Elements in Fish and Fish Oil Supplements
Mercury and Fish Oil Supplements
Measurement of Mercury Levels in Concentrated Over-the-Counter Fish Oil Preparations: Is Fish Oil Healthier Than Fish?

EFA - The Fish Shortage
Mass medication with Omega 3 would wipe out global fish stocks

EFA - Vegans and Vegetarians
Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications
Effect of dietary -linolenic acid on thrombotic risk factors in vegetarian men
Long-chain n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma in British meat-eating, vegetarian, and vegan men
Vegan Outreach - Fat
The Challenge of Defining Optimal Fat Intake
Dietary substitution with an alpha-linolenic acid-rich vegetable oil increases eicosapentaenoic acid concentrations in tissues
Omega-3 trend could lead vegetarians to eat fish by mistake

EFA - Enriched Foods
Australia & NZ Omega-3 DHA enriched foods

EFA - Vegan Supplements
Vegan DHA: Dr. Fuhrman's DHA Purity
Water4life
Martek life'sDHA
Omega 3 Essential Fats for a Bigger Brain not a Bigger Bum!
Plant based sources of long chain Omega 3 vegan & vegetarian
Docosahexaenoic acid - DHA and Eicosapentaenoic acid EPA & Essential Fatty Acids EFAs
What Omega 3 Supplement Can I Take?

EFA - Linseeds (Flaxseeds)
Linseeds, flaxseeds: what’s the difference?
The Flax Council of Canada, Technical Nutrition Information - Contains links to several articles on flaxseeds, including Flax - A Health and Nutrition Primer, Fourth Edition, 2007

EFA - Walnuts
FACT FILE: WALNUTS - Australian Walnut Industry Association
Effects of walnut consumption on plasma fatty acids and lipoproteins in combined hyperlipidemia
LSRO Report: The Scientific Evidence for a Beneficial Health Relationship Between Walnuts and Coronary Heart Disease
Nuts, walnuts, english [Includes USDA commodity food A259, A257]

EFA - Nuts - General
Nuts Cut Coronary Heart Disease Risk.
Nuts for Life Information Centre
Role of Peanuts In A Healthy Diet
Hi Oleic Peanutsand Your Heart
Health in a Nutshell
Research by Prof Penny Kris-Etherton

EFA - Web Sites
DHA in mind
Omega-3 from V-Pure algae, not fish or flax
TheBig3.org
Fats of Life
SupplementNews.org
The Effexor Activist
Nutrient Rich

Paul

Wonderful...
 

Thank you Paul, for doing all that work!

The links are fabulous!

I would only make one tiny suggestion. Using hyperlinks conceals the website location you are
recommending. I myself prefer seeing that real link addy before clicking on them. It is a safety thing
for me.

I know it would be "WORK" to put the real links under each title. But perhaps more people would
feel comfortable seeing those as well?

Contributions such as yours, are always welcome on any of my threads. We all learn from each other
in the end!

Yes thank you so much. That was so kind of you and you put so much work into this. Your all amazing to people like me who are clueless.

Links to References for EFA
 

Hello mrsd,

You asked about knowing the hyperlink destination before selecting it:

I have added some information on previewing the hyperlink, near the start of my references post:

By viewing the hyperlink that way, you can see the true link URL.

By the way, it is possible to trick someone with a fake link. Try this one:

Here is the link to Rose's web site: http://roseannster.googlepages.com/home

No, actually, it isn't. Here is the real one: http://roseannster.googlepages.com/home

Nasty trick!

This is possible because links are added separately in the editor for this forum.

If in doubt, check the URL using the method that I have described.

Paul

cursoring over...
 

does not work in Firefox.

The net being what it is, I also am thinking of others, that's all.

It is actually more work for you to create a hyperlink.

Links to References for EFA
 

Hello mrsd,

I installed Firefox to find out; it has a Status Bar very similar to Explorer. Any Internet program would need to have one, for security reasons;you might not have it visible. It is far safer to use the Status Bar, than to rely on the truth about what is purported to be the destination of a link. As I demonstrated in my previous message, the writer can put in any link that they like.

I have added to my previous advice in my references post, to show how to view the status bar:

Please send me a private message if you need any help with this, so that we do not distract from the important purpose of your thread.

Paul

just a comment on the links:
we dont mind hyperlinks *provided* that they do not lead to commercial or affiliate sites.

I do know that many people do feel nervous to click on hyperlinks, especially those who may not be all that computer savvy and so not understand how to set preferences etc etc,

Paul, I am unable to see any URLs when hovvering on those hyperlinks on either IE or Firefox, but I do know that a right click on the mouse and then checking properties can also show the actual URL if one is concerned

I think the important thing is usually who is posting the links.......when the member has been active a while, and has shown their *colors* ...... one usually feels less concerned as to where their links may lead:D

thanks for providing all this good info on EFAs. :) Omega3 is an essential component for my son both for his Tourette Syndrome and especially for his Crohn's Disease

Cheri

the explanation about hovering and the status bar {at the bottom of your browser/screen- the very thin bar that is there- if you have it set to show}
does work for me in FF - you can read the URL down there.

I guess
 

it depends on the version/skin one is using in FF.

Mine won't click the status bar... nothing changes when I try it.
I have a theme called Yellow button (something like that). It is very simple.
This is it... orbit yellow... I am going to try and update it.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2562

I went to the customize section and there were buttons that could be added, but no status bar there.
We have customized links at the top to NYTimes and a couple of others.

here is a quote from Firefox:
This is why I can't see a check mark.
I fiddled around a bit, by clicking it more than once and finally got the bar to work. It just is not obvious like
one would expect.

Everything is such a battle with computers....we have been having a running battle with our printer which is
now going to get replaced. I guess 3 yrs is it for those. We bought a new one yesterday, and my husband is
struggling again with the fax hook up.... sorry to be dense.

I just want to say that I think this is an AMAZING thread...so informative. You all have taught me things I didn't know existed let alone thought to research and understand.

Chemar said:

Yes, that's how I've always done it. Just right click, select properties, and the complete address is shown.

KD

bumping up...
 

Even processed food today, is making an attempt to increase Omega-3
content!

Today-- we went to Costco, and low and behold... They have a new brand of Chicken Nuggets for sale (bulk sales).
Gone is Tyson ...

In are Yummy brand nuggets, made with Canola oil containing 300mg of Omega-3 per 4 nuggets! Made in Canada!

My husband uses these for lunch sometimes. And I used to take nuggets to work, but since not working, I have passed on them. These are new, and while a bit high in sodium (like most processed foods -- 450mg/4 nuggets), they are less sinful than other processed chicken. I see these as a good item for kids, who need Omega-3 foods and who like finger food. There are only 7 grams of fat in a serving of these new ones! --NO transfats, either.
http://www.maxi.com/engproducts.html

bumping up...
 

I am bumping this up with a link to another thread here...that is connected.

It is interesting now, that eye doctors are recommending EFAs ...
The product is expensive...but you can do the same thing at much less cost:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread46796.html

bumping up...
 

bumping up the thread-while I am on vacation.

solutions II have found
 

Hi, Have recently been dx with ala - after three years of symptoms.

I have solved all chokingproblem by massage throat either side of windpipe for 30 secs - then I can swallow all my medication and drink with no problem.

I have also found that nibbling walnuts throughout the day seems helpful in keeping my speech close to normal :)

Efa
 

I have supplemented with EFA for years - and also eat fish, avocadoes, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. I alternate between Fish Oil and Linseed oil for my Omega 3, 6, 9 intake.

I was taking Magnesium as an Amino Acid Chelate but can no longer swallow such huge tablets. I found a capsule that contains Magnesium complex ( Magnesium orotate 150mcg. magnesium aspartate 150mcg and magnesium oxide 170mcg - total magnesium 114.4mg, pyridoxine hydrochloride Vit B6 25mg, zinc (as gluconate) 3.92mg and Viburnum opulus (cramp Bark) ext equiv. stem bark inner dry 250mg) would be interested to hear comments.:)

as well as ALA I have type 2 diabetes notwithstanding the fact that I have maintained a size 10 since my teens and I have renal failure caused by my mother not eating sufficient protein when she was carrying me. This leads to insufficient nephrons in kidneys. So supplementing is not easy

bumping up
 

:bump: :bump:

fatty acids and Alzheimer's:
 

This article is in our Health News forum today:

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalne...?newsid=126012
While it is too soon to know what this means for humans, it is a hint that too much inflammatory fatty acid chemistry is not good for us. AA is a PGE2 and derived from omega-6 intake.
It is also present in eggs, and saturated fats.

This is a pretty good article on AA from the Authors of Protein Power:
http://www.opinions3.com/arachidonic_acid.htm

While we NEED AA to some extent, it is the excess of it that seems to be the problem.

Adding more omega-3 flax oil to the diet helps to reduce the overload of PGE2s.

I am going to try the beef marinade that is on the Eades' website to see how it is. We have beef about 3 times a week.

I have a ? I take 2 fish oil pills daily which is 2400mg total. I still am suffering from severe dry eye/skin/and my pain from the rsd/pn. Anyhow at times I was taking flaxseed but now haven't been. Can I add more fish oil pills or flaxseed pills in addition to what I am taking or is this the upper limit the 2400 mg in supplements?

If you want to improve quality of skin
 

I think flax oil is best.

Fish oil is for reducing inflammation. The DHA in fish oil,
does help with cell membrane repair, and also neurotransmitter receptors in the brain.

Fish oil is a long chain fatty acid that is made from the Flax.
About 20-24% of the ALA in flax gets changed to EPA and DHA in women. That means the 75% rest of the flax oil is used for something else. (other important things).

The EPA and DHA are end results of the long chemical process using ALA (alpha linolenic acid) and Omega-6's which are essential, which are the first step.
So in some ways EPA and DHA are limited in what they do for you.

Thank you. I will add the flax.

2400 mg is not the "upper limit" of fish oil. That is 2.4 Grams. Clinical trials for mood dsorders, for instance, routinely use 2-4 Grams (up to 4000 mg).

However, you might wish to check your vitamin D and thyroid levels.

2 capsules
 

may say 2.4grms...but that is not the amount of active ingredient in a typical fish oil.

The EPA and DHA levels are much less.
It is confusing but some papers mean 2 grms of EPA etc, not the total weight of the capsule itself.

for example ..RX Lovaza:
My double strength Costco fish oil has 684 mg of combined EPA/DHa in a 1200 mg capsule. A standard strength fish oil has about 1/2 of this amount.

The papers don't always clarify the doses, and labels can be confusing.

Jaspar and Mrs D thanks. My D level and thyroid is fine. I know when I saw that holistic doctor he wanted me to take a lot but also felt that way on other supplements. So I should I take 2 fish oil and 2 flaxseed pills? That would give me 2000mg of flax and 2400mg of fish oil. I have no idea the conversion. I wish they would make this easier for the consumer. I remember this with magnesium too.

yes, sounds fine.
 

Make sure you take with food.

You will need B6 too for conversion of the fats.

The Omega Capsules that I take have 600mg EPA, 480 mg of DHA, 120 mg of other essential fatty acids, 1200 mg of Omega 3 fatty acids, and 220 mg of an Omega 5 6 9 complex (70% pomegranate seed oil, evening primrose seed oil, borage seed oil and organic flax seed oil)

new paper on cardio-protective effects:
 

I just found this today... doses are not listed, but it is a very positive article:

More questions
 

I have an Rx for Lovaza for heart health, but know Mrs. D. uses the Costco brand that is enteric coated. I had also read that some of the better fish oils are more readily absorbed than capsules. Is one form better than the other for absorbability and metabolization by our bodies? Also, what are the cofactors needed for metabolization of fish or flax oil? I have been reading all of your past and current posts, Mrs. Doubtfyre, but am having trouble putting all of the facts together in a brain absorbable form. . .

I am not aware of "more absorbable fish oil"
 

All the fish oils I know of are oils. Hence they are best
absorbed with food present. The bile released at mealtimes emulsifies the oil and improves absorption.

There are some liquid emulsified oils.
Here is an article about Coromega:
http://www.coromega.com/01What/f_bio...ty/f_body.html

Whether this is necessary for most people remains questionable. The emulsified forms are more expensive, and were mostly used by people who couldn't swallow large capsules, and for children.

You can use your Lovaza. My comments are about the hype surrounding it...which may not be exactly true, to account for its increased price. If your insurance pays for it, then the price is not an issue. I do like the fact that the new nutraceuticals that the drug industry are making like Lovaza educate doctors more and help everyone get access to fish oil or other useful things. But the cost to the patient involved is unpleasant IMO.

For example my insurance is going up in January, as I assume many others will be affected as well.
The most reasonable way for me to obtain an RX medication is by mail order. A 3 month supply for me is going up to $65. So a 3 month supply of Lovaza would cost far more than a 3 month supply of
double strength fish oil over the counter. So even WITH insurance people may be paying more for Lovaza.

bumping for a new study:
 

There is a new study being shared now that is very interesting.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0419133844.htm

I suspect we will see a drug form of this in the near future.

In the meantime, take those fish oil caps, or at least DHA.

Here is a new study showing Omega-3s from fish and supplements may stave off colon cancer in white patients:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100423/...s_omega_cancer

The African American study subjects did not show statistical improvement however in this study.

It is another step in the direction of good preventive help for major diseases of aging.

Here is a new study on high EPA fish oil and depression:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06...ion/14854.html

OmegaBrite is one brand with this ratio.

I just got a shipment from Puritan's Pride......Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules 1200 mg. The directions say take 2 softgels one to three times a day. What is the optimal dosage? There's a big difference between taking 2 a day and 6 a day.

Thanks! :)

We never take really high dose...and we see benefits.

I'd do one regular strength twice a day with a meal to start.

We started at one a day, but then I removed transfats and lowered omega-6 consumption at the same time. We also took one flax oil a day.

If your goal is to reduce severe inflammation from your MS, you can then raise the fish oil as you see fit, after you see what 2 a day do for you. Now most of the inflammatory transfats are out of our foods as well, and that is an improvement right there.

For those who prefer a video presentation...
 

Here is a show from Dr. Oz. It is greatly simplified, but does the basics well:

4 parts.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/know-...tty-acids-pt-1
At the bottom of each page is a link to the next 3 parts.

Mrs. D....I started taking "Neptune Krill 1000" by NOW products. I notice that it contains only 230 - 300 mg of Omega-3. The dosage is one per day. Should I take 2 or go back to my original Fish Oil 1360mg which contains 950 mg of Omega 3 in each capsule? The Krill supplement is much more expensive especially if I have to double the dosage.

The krill oil is supposed to be more absorbed, so less is more.

I take 2 of them a day. I had my blood work done, and it was exactly the same as before with 2 fish oils.

Two a day with food is a good start. You can always increase if you feel the need later.

I get 90 for about $12.99 (with 5.00 coupon) at Costco. So I buy ahead,
during the coupon sales. Some places really charge high prices for this,
so shop around! MegaRed is the one I use.

Can you share what the best brand/type/dose of omega 3 is cause I want to change and see if I feel any difference? Possibly one that I can get both the benefits of fish and flax. Thank you.

New amazing EFA product:
 

Now you can fortify any food you want with EFAs

http://newhope360.com/news/nordic-na...mega-3-fortify

Available at most outlets...Amazon and Vitacost are just two common sources.

This is a dry powder with no fishy taste that can be mixed into any food you want, to fortify EFA content. Pretty nifty idea IMO.

How DHA works in the brain:
 

Some information about Fish oil and memory:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/06...ory/40869.html

Here are some quick notes about my experiences with EFAs as a vegan.

Flaxseed oil - personally caused me quite nasty breast pain, and had no other effects. It took me two months to figure this out, and then I had a Google and discovered that while it's a rare side effect, I'm not the only one who's had it. I wouldn't say that you need to avoid flaxseed oil for this reason, just bear it in mind if you notice that you are getting (increased) breast pain. The usual objection to flaxseed oil is that not much of it gets converted to Omega 3s in the body, so that it's easy to think that you're getting a much higher dose than you really are.

Evening primrose oil, borage oil - tried various doses, didn't notice an effect either way.

Echium seed oil - sold as Echiomega, made by Igennus http://shop.igennus.com/Echiomega.html It contains 162mg ALA and 72mg SDA per capsule. SDA is a precursor to EPA, so again, you get less of the actual Omega 3. There's no DHA. Igennus have something against DHA for some reason, they remove it from their fish oil. The only effect I noticed was that my periods were shorter and lighter, which was welcome as I have a copper IUD. Apparently this is a reasonably common effect with Omega 3 oils. I think I'm getting the same effect on algae oil.

Algae oil - originally tried V-Pure http://www.nuique.com/omega3/, which contains 200mg DHA and 50mg EPA per capsule, but have now moved onto Opti3 http://opti3omega.com/indexd.html, which contains 200mg DHA, 100mg EPA, and 100iu vegan Vitamin D3 per capsule. The people who make Opti3 also make Vitashine vegan Vitamin D3 http://vitashine-d3.com/.

I've just bumped up the dose of Opti3 to three capsules a day, and I think it's helping my eyes to be less dry. Hard to tell, really. The V-Pure had a fishy smell which I suspect could indicate rancidity, but the Opti3 doesn't smell of anything at all. Also it's a bit cheaper.

I've just quickly looked up some fish oils, and it seems that the ratio of EPA to DHA is markedly different. Fish oils have much more EPA, algae oils have more DHA. Fish oils are a lot cheaper, of course, but may not be acceptable for veggies like me, people with fish allergies, or people who are concerned about heavy metal toxicity (not that I've really bothered to get to the bottom of the heavy metal business, since I've not eaten fish since I was three).