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Old 10-07-2007, 11:21 AM #21
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Default a new warning on a new fat:

I went to a medical seminar on Friday, and some new data was brought up
on the new substitute fats that some food manufacturers are using instead of transfats.

These newer fats are called interesterfied fats, and are now in cookies,cakes, donuts, some peanut butters.

Here is an article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0116131545.htm

These fats were shown in humans to raise blood sugar by 20%.

So read labels carefully. Also the recommended adult amount of transfat now is 2 grams a day. Labels that say Zero Transfats can do that if the transfat content of the product is below .5gm /serving. They are allowed to round down.

So if labels say partially hydrogenated oils are in the product, and the label itself says 0 transfats, you may be getting some. This is esp important for kids, who are smaller and who will be affected more by the transfat.

another link:
http://www.stop-trans-fat.com/interesterified-fat.html
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Old 10-21-2007, 12:40 PM #22
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Lightbulb new food source for Omega-3-- yogurt

Just found this in my grocery store:

http://www.bluebunny.com/ProductDeta...&productId=625

Gluten free, has 4 probiotic organisms in it, and 300mg of alpha linolenic acid from flax oil!

A neat way to get EFAs into kids too!
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Old 11-12-2007, 10:00 AM #23
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Book Study: Fish Oil and Diabetes prevention in Children

I came across a brief description of this article and searched down the abstract (below). I thought it was fascinating and maybe some are interested.


Vol. 298 No. 12, September 26, 2007 JAMA

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Islet Autoimmunity in Children at Increased Risk for Type 1 Diabetes
Jill M. Norris, MPH, PhD; Xiang Yin, MD, MS; Molly M. Lamb, BA; Katherine Barriga, MSPH; Jennifer Seifert, BS; Michelle Hoffman, RN; Heather D. Orton, MS; Anna E. Barón, PhD; Michael Clare-Salzler, MD; H. Peter Chase, MD; Nancy J. Szabo, PhD; Henry Erlich, MD, PhD; George S. Eisenbarth, MD, PhD; Marian Rewers, MD, PhD


JAMA. 2007;298:1420-1428.

Context Cod liver oil supplements in infancy have been associated with a decreased risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus in a retrospective study.

Objective To examine whether intakes of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are associated with the development of islet autoimmunity (IA) in children.

Design, Setting, and Participants A longitudinal, observational study, the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY), conducted in Denver, Colorado, between January 1994 and November 2006, of 1770 children at increased risk for type 1 diabetes, defined as either possession of a high diabetes risk HLA genotype or having a sibling or parent with type 1 diabetes. The mean age at follow-up was 6.2 years. Islet autoimmunity was assessed in association with reported dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids starting at age 1 year. A case-cohort study (N = 244) was also conducted in which risk of IA by polyunsaturated fatty acid content of erythrocyte membranes (as a percentage of total lipids) was examined.

Main Outcome Measure Risk of IA, defined as being positive for insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, or insulinoma-associated antigen-2 autoantibodies on 2 consecutive visits and still autoantibody positive or having diabetes at last follow-up visit.

Results Fifty-eight children developed IA. Adjusting for HLA genotype, family history of type 1 diabetes, caloric intake, and omega-6 fatty acid intake, omega-3 fatty acid intake was inversely associated with risk of IA (hazard ratio [HR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.96; P = .04). The association was strengthened when the definition of the outcome was limited to those positive for 2 or more autoantibodies (HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.58; P = .002). In the case-cohort study, omega-3 fatty acid content of erythrocyte membranes was also inversely associated with IA risk (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.96; P = .03).

Conclusion Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with reduced risk of IA in children at increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes.


Author Affiliations: Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver (Drs Norris, Yin, and Barón, and Mss Lamb, Seifert, and Orton); The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Aurora (Drs Chase, Eisenbarth, and Rewers, and Mss Barriga and Hoffman); Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine (Dr Clare-Salzler) and Analytical Toxicology Core Laboratory (Dr Szabo), University of Florida, Gainesville; and Department of Human Genetics, Roche Molecular Systems, Alameda, California (Dr Erlich).
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Old 11-13-2007, 02:13 PM #24
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Default Type 1 diabetes

My apologies if this has already been posted here. Just received this in a newsletter from NOW:



Quote:
Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Delay Onset of Type I Diabetes


Abstracted by Susan Sweeny Johnson, PhD, Biochem, October 11, 2007, from Jill M. Norris, MPH, PhD; Xiang Yin, MD, MS; Molly M. Lamb, BA; Katherine Barriga, MSPH; Jennifer Seifert, BS; Michelle Hoffman, RN; Heather D. Orton, MS; Anna E. Barón, PhD; Michael Clare-Salzler, MD; H. Peter Chase, MD; Nancy J. Szabo, PhD; Henry Erlich, MD, PhD; George S. Eisenbarth, MD, PhD; Marian Rewers, MD, PhD , “Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Islet Autoimmunity in Children at Increased Risk for Type 1 Diabetes”, JAMA. 2007;298:1420-1428.

Type I diabetes mellitus (also know as juvenile diabetes) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys islet cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. Although there is a genetic predisposition for the disease, environmental factors also appear to play a role in determining how early in life the autoimmune process begins and how much time passes between the onset of the first autoimmune response and the diagnosis of Type I diabetes when the islet cells are no longer producing insulin.

Studies suggest that early in the progress of the disease, inflammation and the activation of scavenger cells called macrophages by compounds that also induce inflammation may be important1. Since omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect(2, 3, 4, 5) while omega-6 fatty acids have a pro-inflammatory effect5, this study looked at the intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in children one to six years old who were genetically at risk for diabetes type I.

In this study, 1770 children were assessed using a food questionnaire given to their parents to determine their average intake of different fatty acids and vitamin D. In addition, the fatty acid composition of their red blood cell membranes was assessed which reflects the actual intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In order to determine onset of the autoimmune component of diabetes type I, blood samples were taken initially and then yearly to detect the presence any of three types of autoantibodies typically present in pre-diabetes type I. If any of the antibodies were detected, the patient’s blood was tested every 3 to 6 months after that. Patients were considered positive for islet autoimmunity (IA), pre-diabetes type I, if the presence of autoantibodies occurred for two tests in a row or if the patient was diagnosed with diabetes type I.

Out of the 1770 patients, 58 developed IA. Statistical analysis showed that the risk of IA was significantly lower in children with higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids (hazard ratio = 0.45, p=0.04). Also, in support of this result, higher omega-3 fatty acid content of patient red blood cell membranes correlated with lower risk of IA (hazard ratio = 0.63, p=0.03). Neither total omega-6 fatty acid intake nor vitamin D lntake correlated significantly with IA risk.

The average daily intake of omega-3’s during this study was 1.2 g per day, omega-6 was 10.8 g per day, and vitamin D was 400 IU per day. No numbers were given for the highest intake of omega-3.

About 7% of the US population has some form of diabetes. Type I comprises 5-10% of all diagnosed cases(6, 7). Direct medical costs from all types total $92 billion annually8. Using natural products to delay onset of Type I diabetes would save significant governmental and private dollars.

REFERENCES:

1 Chase HP, Cooper S, Osberg I, et al. Elevated C-reactive protein levels in the development of type 1 diabetes. Diabetes. 2004;53(10):2569-2573.

2 Calder PC. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation, and immunity. Lipids. 2001;36(9):1007-1024.

3 De Caterina R, Madonna R, Massaro M. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cytokines and adhesion molecules. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2004;6(6):485-491.

4 Serhan CN. Resolution phase of inflammation: novel endogenous anti-inflammatory and proresolving lipid mediators and pathways. Annu Rev Immunol. 2007;25:101-137.

5 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...t=AbstractPlus

6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus

7 http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pub...cs/index.htm#7

8 http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pub...s/index.htm#14
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Old 11-14-2007, 05:02 AM #25
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Default Severe DHA Deficiency, and Vegan DHA/EPA Capsules vs Mercury-flavoured Oily Fish

Hello mrsd,

Thank you for starting this thread.

I decided to respond here to your comment about EFA in the other thread, Errors in Pathology..., to keep it all together.

Quote:
Now to move on the your EFA deficiency. I think you should be doing something aggressively to raise your Omega-3 status ASAP. Low EFA status causes heart beat irregularites too. Males are not efficient in converting alpha linolenic acid in food, to the long chain EFAs EPA and DHA. Females who are intended to reproduce and pass these EFAs to the fetus convert much higher.
I saw a ratio once. Males convert about 4%, and females about 20%.
So after you were born, you have to rely more on your DHA that you received from you mother, than females do.
Basically if you are so low in these, you are lucky to be alive now. You just have to have them. Either from eating salmon or taking fish oil. So I hope you are doing that right now.
As I mentioned on the other thread, in May this year I finally found a doctor who has an interest in nutritional medicine; he takes a holistic approach. He was the first to accept that my vitamin B12 deficiency was not "all in the mind". The first test that my new doctor ordered for me was Essential Fatty Acids.

The results, from ARL Pathology in Melbourne, are presented as % of total and ratios, rather than absolute quantities. Here is a link for an example of their reports: http://www.arlaus.com.au/Sample/EFA%20Plasma.pdf

Unfortunately, ARL has the usual policy of refusing to communicate with patients, so I have not been able to discuss my report with them; they ignored my Email request for some technical information. They do have useful general information on their web site. This is a link to their article on EFA: http://www.arlaus.com.au/clinical_gu...FA%20Guide.pdf

Some of my EFA levels were so abnormal that we repeated the test on new samples a few weeks later. The results were almost identical, giving me more confidence that ARL could at least repeat their tests.

The Summary showed that:
  • Total Saturated % was high
  • Total Monounsaturated was normal
  • Total n3 was very low
  • Total n6 was low
  • Ratio n3/n6 was low
This does not necessarily mean that I have too much saturated fat; these are ratios. For me it far more likely to mean that the "good" n6 and n3 fats are too low. I am unlikely to eat too much saturated fat, because I am a vegetarian, with a revulsion for animal fat; even the milk for my breakfast cereal is low fat. I am very slim, weighing 64 kg, with a BMI of 22. I have no evidence of CAD (angiogram), have low cholesterol and triglycerides and low BP for a 54 year old male (120/70).

Perhaps this might explain my revulsion for fatty food:

Quote:
Today, 14 November 2007, has special significance for me.

In 1975, my father died of a heart attack 39 days short of his 55th birthday. For two decades he knew about his problem and was warned to cut his food intake. He was obese, ate large amounts of fatty foods and did not get much exercise. He had high cholesterol, high blood pressure and blocked arteries. Not only did he ignore warnings from his doctors, he also taunted me for being too skinny. Despite his death more than 32 years ago, the argument was not settled .....until today.

Today, I am now 39 days short of my 55th birthday. So far, so good; well, at least there is still a pulse!
I will only include actual % here where it is significant.

The detailed section of the report for the n6 acids shows:
  • LA, the shortest n6 acid, borderline low
  • The four longer n6 acids normal or borderline low
This is unusual because most people, especially vegetarians, are reported to consume too much n6 fats. I am apparently not eating quite enough LA, although what I do consume is being converted to the longer chain n6 acids. I just need to eat more LA; simple.

The detailed section of the report for the n3 acids shows:
  • ALA, the shortest n3 acid, at 0.6% was borderline high (Reference Range 0.3 - 0.6%)
  • EPA at 0.3% was borderline low (Reference Range 0.3 - 0.9%)
  • DPA at 0.3% was borderline low (Reference Range 0.4 - 0.7%)
  • DHA at 0.3% was very significantly low (Reference Range 1.5 to 3.2%)
Now, this is a really interesting, and worrying, result. I am apparently consuming enough ALA but it is not being converted to the longer chain n3 acids. The worst case is DHA, where I am way below the reference range. Assuming a normal frequency distribution for DHA, I fit in the bottom one in 100,000 of the population.

As you said, males only covert a few % of ALA to DHA. The most likely explanation for my DHA deficiency is conversion fault, rather than inadequate ALA intake.

Rather than immediately commence EPA and DHA supplements, I have decided to see if it really is a conversion problem. Here is my three-step plan:

1. Walnut Therapy

For the past four weeks I have been adding six walnuts (12 halves) per day to my food intake. This is the amount recommended by experts to increase ALA to normal levels. I will have my EFA checked again in another two weeks.

I expect to see an increase in both LA and ALA. In fact, my LA should come up to normal because walnuts contain large amounts of LA as well as ALA. I also expect to see ALA increase above the normal range. Whether or not there is sufficient conversion to push EPA and DHA up into the normal range is unknown. I also expect to see my LDL to decrease and HDL to increase, further reducing cardiac risk.

2. Linseed Therapy (you might call it Flaxseed)

If walnut therapy fails to improve DHA, then I will add a tablespoon of ground linseeds (flaxseeds) to my breakfast cereal each day. That should definitely push my ALA way above normal, although my body will presumably be able to regulate it to some extent. Once again, there is no certainty that it will be converted to DHA.

3. DHA Supplements

If walnut and linseed therapy fails to increase DHA and EPA to acceptable levels, I have no option but to take supplements.

This is not so easy for vegetarians or vegans because most of the available supplements are derived from oily fish (yuk!).

Another problem with most supplements, affecting carnivores as well, is the risk of heavy-metal poisoning. So, I will leave it to others to eat their mercury flavoured juice squeezed from bodies of oily fish!

Fortunately, there are now non-animal DHA/EPA supplements commercially available. I imported a three-month supply of "V-Pure" DHA/EPA vegan capsules from Switzerland; they arrived very promptly. These contain oil from farmed algae, and are claimed to be free of heavy metals. You can find the suppler at this link: http://www.water4.net/index.htm

I cannot comment on the effectiveness of the V-Pure product because I am still in the "Walnut Therapy" stage of investigation. I expect the capsules to push my DHA and EPA levels well into the normal range. I will let you know the results.

Paul
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Old 11-14-2007, 07:32 AM #26
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Lightbulb some suggestions...

Since you are eating some ALA... and LA but are not converting you have some options.

1) start using a source of GLA (this is an intermediate step in conversion).
This is a vegetarian product, either evening primrose or borage oil.

2) You can buy vegetarian DHA... it is common in the states. I don't know what it is called in Britain. Ours is made by the Martek company predominately, but there are others. It is extracted from algae grown in tanks.
One brand is Neuromins, another targeting women is Expecta.
However if you choose this you won't be getting EPA from that source.
EPA is important and acts as a brake to AA synthesis. Excess AA can cause heart attacks/stroke. I don't know of a vegan source for EPA in USA...I think it has to come from fish or you. It is possible you may convert ALA better if you take a GLA supplement like I mentioned above. Your link to the new supplement is interesting, but rather low in EPA. It is the first EPA I have seen, grown from algae. We do not have it here in USA yet. Our algae products only have DHA in them so far.

And just so you know, the processing of fish into fish oil, removes heavy metals. So you are not likely to find mercury in fish oil capsules.
There is a laboratory that tests... www.consumerlab.com
for the fish oil:
http://www.consumerlab.com/results/omega3.asp
The process of distillation removes heavy metals. Fish body oils are much safer to use than cod liver oils in general. Liver derived oils have other problems associated with them.

(as an aside--- there is a movement in the anthropology field, that suggests that humans evolved along coastlines where
there was an abundance of fish. Humans have a huge need for DHA in the brain, we have the highest ratio of any land mammal,
and so fish provided that and enabled brain evolution).
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Old 11-14-2007, 07:45 AM #27
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Thumbs up Thanks to Tessa and rose

for the very interesting and useful article on EFAs/diabetes!
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Old 11-15-2007, 01:34 PM #28
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I know I keep asking this but when I read about fish oil pill supplements it said it can contribute to bleading. Is it still safe and good to take 1200mg a day?Its one pill. Or is it safer the ground flax seed?Linseeds are a type of flaxseed or just another name? Please let us know the results and also any changes you feel in your body. Thank you.
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Old 11-15-2007, 02:22 PM #29
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Post fish oil and Vit E also have a potential

for increasing bleeding.

This is a very small effect, but may combine in people who are
1) low in platelets (a genetic problem)
2) take warfarin (Coumadin) for medical reasons
3) are given Heparin in the hospital
4) take high dose aspirin

Fish oil has EPA in it, which is an anti-inflammatory and suppresses Cox-2
cytokines. The Cox-2 include thromoxane which is a clotting stimulant.

Because this is all dietary the effects are mild, and only a concern when people are doing strong drugs that artificially affect bleeding as well. By itself, fish oil is homeostatic, meaning prevents blood clots. (which is a good thing).

Massive dosing...like 13-20 grams a day should be monitored by a doctor. Some severe autoimmune disease is treated with
massive amounts of fish oil...but not commonly.
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Old 11-15-2007, 03:26 PM #30
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Thanks Mrs.D but I'm slow. So is 1200mg ok for me and I should not have problems only benefit? Is the flaxseed also as good of an alternative?
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