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News about Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)

Substance in fish oil reduced dementia in patients

The November issue of the archives of Neurology contained a study that followed senior heart patients for over nine years. This study sought to measure amounts of an Omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, in the patients blood. The study demonstrated that people with the highest DHA levels were less likely to develop dementia than the other patients. People who ate two or more servings of fish a week reduced their risk for dementia by 39 percent. Dr. Ernst Schaefer, the study leader, emphasizes that while this result is consistent with other studies, more experiments will follow before a general cause and effect relationship is implied.

Fish Oil Debate heats up

April 9, 2006 -Last month, a British Medical Journal paper reviewed studies involving omega-3 fatty acids on human health. Reviewing 89 studies, the researchers concluded there was no clear benefit of omega-3s on human health. Several letters were sent to the journal in response, and the UK Food Standards Agency issued a statement criticizing the report and urging consumers to continue to eat at least two portions of fish every week. Read information about the paper and responses, as well as the information FSA used to create their report.

Fish oil Calms Disruptive Children in Study

March 29, 2006 - Both Seafood.com and the Daily mail reported on a study coming out of the Durham County Council on unruly children with ADHD. Twenty disruptive children between 12 and 15 years old were administered an Omega 3/Omega 6 blend supplement, and their behavior was monitored. Dr. Madeleine Portwood has called the results "stunning", claiming the children were less disruptive, calmer, and kinder. Browse to the Durham County Council Website for more information on this research.

Surprising results to seafood pregnancy study

January 29, 2006 - In the US, advisories limit the amount of seafood pregnant women should consume, based on methylmercury contamination concerns. However, new research is showing women who follow the advice may be harming their children. Scientists believe that mothers on a low fish diet have been unknowingly depriving their children of omega-3 fatty acids, a vital component in brain development. As a result the children scored lower in tests of IQ , fine motor skills and behavior. For more information on the research visit: Children of the 90s , or the original article

Study suggests fish is good for brain

Oct 11, 2005, CHICAGO (AP) - Eating fish at least once a week is good for the brain, slowing age-related mental decline by the equivalent of three to four years, a study suggests.

The research adds to the growing evidence that a fish-rich diet helps keep the mind sharp. Previous studies found that people who ate fish lowered their risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke. Fish such as salmon and tuna that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids also have been shown to prevent heart disease.

Omega 3s added to a variety of foods

May 18, 2005 - Omega-3 fatty acids, once heralded as the health ingredient with most potential for market success, appear to be fulfilling expectations, with the European market responsible for much of the innovation in new applications. Read the article.

Get hooked on fish; it's a main source of two vital fatty acids we're lacking, professor says

Ottawa, Canada, 8 March 2005 - A University of Guelph professor says Canadians are lacking two fatty acids critical to their health...

The human body cannot manufacture Omega 3 on its own. Instead, cold water fish and fish oils are the most direct source of DHA and EPA. But since 1990, Health Canada has only identified linolenic acid (LNA) as essential for dietary health. That fatty acid is derived from plant sources such as flax seeds, soybeans and non- hydrogenated canola oil. Read the full story.

Omega 3 Issues?

February 6, 2005 - The market for foods fortified with these fatty acids is growing fast, but caveat emptor: not all omega-3 is created equal. Jess Halliday asks whether consumers are getting a good deal.

Neptune Krill Oil goes global with Pharmanex

January 18, 2005 - Canadian Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has signed a deal with Pharmanex that will dramatically widen the distribution of marine biomass extract Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) over the coming year.

NKO is already available in 12 countries including the US, where it is distributed by Nature's Bounty and sold in Vitamin World stores. The new agreement means it will be launched in most of the 39 countries in which Pharmanex, a division of NuSkin, operates. Read the full story.

Biotech flax with increased Omega-3 levels could improve human health

November 4, 2004 -The Aquaculture Communications Group - Newsletter # 16
Hamburg, Germany, 3 November 2004 - Enhanced flax seeds could bring the benefits of fish oil to vegetable-based cooking oils. A team of researchers(1) led by Ernst Heinz from the University of Hamburg in Germany has successfully developed a genetically enhanced flax (or linseed) plant that has boosted levels of healthful long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are believed to reduce the risk of heart disease,(2) cancer,(3) Alzheimer's(4) and many other diseases. Read the full Story.

Source: Council for Biotechnology Information

Fish oil 'wards off asthma'

November 03, 2004 - By Kylie Walker, Herald Sun
FISH oil supplements appear to ward off asthma symptoms in young children with a family history of allergies, Australian researchers have found.

Children who consumed higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from birth were 10 per cent less likely to experience coughing and wheezing at the age of three, Sydney University's Professor Craig Mellis and colleagues found. Read the full story

Scientists to conduct unique human experiment next week

October 29, 2004 - A world-leading team of Canadian scientists thinks that diet may play a critical role in limiting the body's absorption of the toxic heavy metal mercury, and they're lining up to test the idea on themselves.

For three days, half the experimental group will eat two meals a day of local Lake Winnipeg fish washed down with six cups of black tea. The other half will eat the fish but drink no tea. Participants will provide blood samples for mercury level testing at the beginning and end of the conference. (Dr. Lucotte stresses that the Lake Winnipeg fish were chosen for the experiment only because COMERN encourages the eating of local foods and that these fish contain only average amounts of mercury.) Read the full story.

Fish oils can regulate heart beat

September 9, 2004 - Two recent studies have added weight to the health credentials of fatty acids, suggesting that taking fish oil supplements and eating fatty fishes, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and cod, can reduce the risk of developing abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Read the full story.

"FDA Announces Qualified Health Claims for Omega-3 Fatty Acids"

September 8, 2004 - This FDA News Release states in part that the Agency " ... today announced the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on conventional foods that contain eiscosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids. Typically, EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are contained in oily fish, such as salmon, lake trout, tuna and herring. These fatty acids are not essential to the diet; however, scientific evidence indicates that these fatty acids may be beneficial in reducing CHD ...

While this research is not conclusive, the FDA intends to exercise its enforcement discretion with respect to the following qualified health claim: 'Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of [name of food] provides [x] grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content.]' FDA recommends that consumers not exceed more than a total of 3 grams per day of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, with no more than 2 grams per day from a dietary supplement."

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