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Breast Cancer Prevention And Omega -3

Breast cancer presently is the most common cancer in Indian women. The Indian Council of Medical Research has found that India is likely to have more than 17.3 lakh new cases of cancer and over 8.8 lakh deaths due to this disease by 2020. Breast cancer is the most common of the types of cancers in India followed by lung cancer and cervical cancer.
The data looks quite frightening. But as we all know that prevention is better than cure why not find out a few ways that can prevent breast cancer. Much research is going on in the field of breast cancer and many studies have shown that increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer
Fish oil and high dietary consumption of fatty fish has constantly been linked with reduced incidence of breast cancer. As per a study done by scientists at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil can be around eight times more effective for slowing the development of belligerent breast cancer tumors than those from plant-based sources. Your body doesn’t produce omega-3 fatty acids and you must get them from the food you consume. The highest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold water fish, such as salmon, sardines, tuna, herring, cod, mackerel, and shark.
The interest of omega-3 fatty acid and its effects on breast cancer started with a study that showed very low rates of breast cancer among women in Japan and natives of Alaska and Greenland. Here people have diets high in marine omega-3 fatty acid. This connection is reinforced by recent researches that showed that women with a high ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids had a lower risk of breast cancer. The study focused on omega-3s called EPA and DHA, which are found in fish oil.

Decreasing Breast Cancer Reappearance
The benefits of omega-3 also appear to limit the relapse of breast cancer. A study of over 3,000 women with early stage breast cancer found that those with higher intakes of EPA and DHA from dietary sources had a 25% reduction in the recurrence of their cancer. These women were also shown to have overall improved survival rates. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation in the body. Many cancers have been linked to chronic inflammation and that is how a diet rich in omega 3 helps fight cancer. The exact way that omega-3 constrain breast cancer growth is not completely clear but there is evidence for more than a few different possible paths. The breast cancer cell when incubated with DHA and EPA lessen cell proliferation, and encourages cell death. It needs to be noted that normal breast cells are not sensitive to similar concentrations of EPA or DHA.

Omega 3 and Cancer Survival
It has been observed that an Omega -3 rich diet helps many cancer patient survivors in numerous ways. Various studies have proved the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce pain and chronic inflammation.

These benefits are extended to cancer patients as well. Omega -3 is known to reduce stress, help in sleep and promote healthy hair growth and dry skin. Having an omega-3 rich diet helps cancer survivors to sleep well, be less stressed and improve the skin and hair quality.
Though more research is needed in this field, but we can safely say that Omega-3 does more good than harm in case of breast cancer patients. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are necessary for normal human growth and development. The fatty acids that help most in breast cancer prevention, treatment and survival are EPA and DHA, both come from cold water fatty fish. Other sources are algae and krill, some plants and nut oils.
You can also get EPA and DHA in the form of fish oil capsules, but you should only take supplements under the supervision of your healthcare provider because of possible side effects and interactions with medications. If you do take fish oil supplements, buy them from reputable company that certify their products are free of heavy metals, such as mercury, lead and cadmium.

Increase Your Omega 3 For A Robust Mental Health

Omega-3 is one of the most popular supplements worldwide. This essential fatty acid is found mainly in fatty fish like sardines, anchovies, mackerel and salmon and certain marine algae. Fish oil contains two forms of omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Almost everyone knows about the heart health and skin benefits of Omega 3 but Omega Boost Active Softgel also has an incredible impact on the brain, especially for mild memory loss, depression and anxiety.

How Do Omega-3s Affect Mental Health?

  • Omega 3 for Brain Development in Babies: Omega-3 fatty acids are important structural components of neural cell membranes. Studies have proved that the  consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is extremely vital during pregnancy as they are critical building blocks of fetal brain and retina. It has been confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that omega-3 fats are quite beneficial to the eye and cognitive development in babies. A review published in Nature scientific journal described two studies that showed neuro development scores were better in babies whose mothers ate good levels of oily fish. There are innumerable studies that highlight that infant development is enhanced from intake of optimum levels of DHA. Therefore,
    new babies through infancy and into childhood must have access to DHA through food.
  • Omega 3 for Depression
    It has been seen that depression is less common in tropical nations where people eat large amounts of fish. This has led scientists to believe that fish oils may prevent and/or treat depression and other mood disorders. Omega 3 fish oils have an enormous impact on the well-being of our brain. It checks
    inflammation and keeps the cells fluids which enables communication between neurons functional and effective. The American Psychiatric Association endorses Omega 3 as a supplementary treatment for clinical depression and also recommends Omega 3 for ailments like schizophrenia, borderline
    personality disorder and ADHD in children.  Gómez-Pinilla, a member of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute and Brain Injury Research Center says that, Omega-3 fatty acids provide many benefits, including improving learning and memory and helping to fight against such mental disorders as depression and mood disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia. [Source: Science Daily].
  • Omega 3 for Anxiety
    Some people are more prone to stress and anxiety than others. Studies have shown that deficiency of Omega 3 can be a major cause of raised anxiety levels. Few studies have established that omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids may have a beneficial effect for sufferers of anxiety disorders. In the Brazilian Longitudinal
    Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a population-based cohort study on diet and mental health, an association between anxiety disorders and consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was made. The study had a cross-sectional design, with a total sample of 12,268 adults and it was found that higher omega-3 intake was associated with decreased instances of anxiety. The British Journal of Nutrition also revealed supplementing the diet with fish oils aids lessen adrenal activation, caused by high levels of mental stress.
  • Omega 3 for Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s disease is an ailment characterised by progressive loss of memory, reasoning, language and other cognitive functions. With no sure- shot medical cure, right now lifestyle changes and dietary variations have become a very important part of Alzheimer’s awareness and prevention programs. Ongoing researches suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may act as a possible protection factor for memory loss. In this context a research based article has been published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. This study draws an important co-relation between brain functions and Omega -3 intake. From the available evidence, it’s quite obvious that eating fish regularly as part of a balanced diet could reduce the age-related risk of cognitive decline and improve other aspects of general health. Combined with a healthy lifestyle, a positive attitude we believe that Omega 3 can really support a vigorous mental health and is a promising natural treatment for mood disorders. The simplest way is to incorporate more seafood, fatty fish and nuts into your daily diet. You can also add a well-known omega-3 supplement to your daily routine.

Can Omega 3 Fatty Acid Benefit in Obesity?

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health and life. As per WHO (World Health Organisation) in the year 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults across the world were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese. 41 million children under the age of 5 and 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016. The American Medical Association recognises obesity as a disease and considers it a major public health problem.

Obesity increases morbidity and most obese people are at risk of heart attacks, strokes, Diabetes, musculo-skeletal disorders, especially osteoarthritis and even cancers. Obesity is not good and can be prevented but what role can omega 3 rich diet play in your weight loss program? Let’s find out.

What is Omega 3?
Omega 3 fatty acids are a group of healthy polyunsaturated fats. They are essential fatty acids and cannot be produced in the body so one needs to consume them through diet. The three main omega 3
fatty acids are: alpha linoleic acid (AHA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA).
DHA is a vital component of the cell membranes of retina and the brain. Omega 6 is the other essential fatty acids that our body needs, it causes inflammation and keeps us safe but to much of Omega 6 can be very harmful. But the modern diet has too much of omega 6 and very little of omega 3 and this increases the risk of developing diseases like heart problems, type 2 diabetes and even obesity. That is why the one needs to increase omega 3 intake either through diet or as supplements.

How Does Omega 3 Help in Obesity?
Fat is something obese people always want to stay away from but in case of Omega 3 fatty acids it’s just the opposite. Omega 3 may not be directly responsible for weight loss but is does help the obese
people. Research has shown that obese people have lesser Omega 3 in their bodies as compared to Omega 6 leading to more health complications. The main weight-loss benefit of this healthy fat is, in overweight and obese people it helps to-
 Improve glucose sensitivity
 Decrease insulin resistance
 Lessen markers of inflammation
 Speeds up fat oxidation by stimulating a precise receptor in the liver that affects fat

Another way fish oil omega-3s helps in weight loss is by improving your metabolism. Higher metabolic rate, means you burn more calories burn and that in turn makes it easier to lose weight. A recent study found that the healthy adult, who took 3 grams of fish oil per day for 12 weeks, had the metabolic rate augmented by an average of 5.3%. It has also been proved that Omega-3s lowers risk of stroke,
cardiovascular problems, joint pain and reduces inflammation, a major contributing factor to obesity. All this means that including some fish oil into your daily diet is actually a very good idea as it will not only improve your overall health but also aid in weight management.

Doctors’ Opinion on Omega-3 Index

What is Omega-3?

The Omega-3 Index is the relative amount of omega-3 fatty acids (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) within red blood cell membranes. This index can be measured by specific analytical methods using a simple blood sample. Rather it is be better to say 1 drop of blood sample. All you require is to take the OMEGA HealthTest.
Numerous studies show that a low Omega-3 Index is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and it has been proposed that raising the index may help to reduce risk.
The fats we consume in our diet are mainly triglycerides. Triglycerides are composed of three molecules of fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule. The type of fatty acids in triglycerides determines the characteristics of fatty foods, such as whether it is solid or liquid at room temperature. Measurements of fatty acids in red blood cell membranes can provide important information about fatty acid intake. Recently, the relative amount of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells has attracted interest as it may provide information about the future risk of heart disease.

Taking the OMEGA HealthTest from Lipomic Healthcare will provide you a detailed and a complete fatty acid profile of your blood sample. Lipomic Healthcare will categorize your fatty acid profile into 4 important categories of fatty acids found in red blood cells which are: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3), and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6). Unfortunately the very essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids cannot be produced by the human body. These fatty acids must come from food and are therefore called essential fatty acids.

Two important Omega-6 fatty acids are linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. All of the omega-6 fatty acids can be synthesized from linoleic acid, but linoleic acid itself can not be synthesized by the body and therefore it has to be provided in our diet. Linoleic acid is typically found in vegetable oils (corn, safflower, soybean) and small amounts are found in canola, olive and flaxseed oils.

Three very essential Omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA is found in many vegetable oils (rapeseed, flaxseed, and soybean), canola and olive oils, seeds, and nuts. EPA and DHA are typically found in fatty fish and fish oils.

Taking the Omega HealthTest from Lipomic will let you access your fatty acid status of RBCs by giving just 1 drop of blood sample using the lancet provided within the test kit. The results will not only reflect your Omega-3 Index, but laboratory will provide you your exact dietary & inflammatory status of your body. The Omega-3 Index reflects the relative amount of EPA + DHA in red blood cells. It is expressed as the percentage of the total amount of fatty acids present. In fact it’s quite simple; if 8% of all the fatty acids present in red cell membranes is EPA+DHA, the Omega-3 Index is 8%.  From a methodological point of view, determining the Omega-3 Index has distinct advantages over determining levels of EPA+DHA in blood or plasma.

The Omega-3 Index and Cardiovascular Risk

Assessing Omega-3 Index may let you predict the risk of future cardiovascular events such as coronary heart disease and cardiac arrest. It means Omega-3 Index values below 4 % which indicates deficiency may be regarded as a risk factor, similar to smoking, high blood pressure and high blood levels of LDL cholesterol.

The average Omega-3 Index in the United States is believed to be between 4-5 %. In Japan, where coronary artery disease is less common and life span longer, the average Omega-3 Index is 9-10%. In general, the Omega-3 Index is higher in countries that consume more omega-3 fatty acids.

The Seattle PCA study published in 1995 showed that compared with an Omega-3 Index of 3.3% (the mean of the lowest quartile), an index of 5.0% (the mean of the third quartile) was associated with a 70% reduction in the risk of primary cardiac arrest.

In a 2004 publication, Harris and Von Schacky presented data from epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials showing that the Omega-3 Index was inversely associated with the risk for mortality from coronary heart disease3. An Omega-3 Index of ≥8% was associated with the greatest protection, whereas an index of ≤4% was associated with the least.

Another study, published 2008 showed that the Omega-3 Index as independently associated with the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome. The risk of acute coronary syndrome was 70% lower in individuals with Omega-3 Index ≥8% compared with those with an index & ≤4%. Results from The Heart and Soul Study published in Circulation 2010 showed that in patients with stable coronary heart disease, an Omega-3 Index below median was associated with significantly higher mortality than among patients with an index above median.

One study found that a higher omega-3 index is associated with increased insulin sensitivity and a more favourable metabolic profile in middle-aged overweight men. All the above data suggest that the Omega-3 Index is inversely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, these studies don’t prove that there is a causative relationship between the Omega-3 Index and cardiovascular disease or that improving the index will reduce risk.

What Is the Optimal Omega-3 Index and How Can It Be Improved?

The Omega-3 Index is shown in an easy to interpret colour scheme. If your results fall in the red (≤4%) and yellow area (4% to 8%), you are advised to consider changing your diet. Green area (≥8%) which is considered to be sufficient & optimal means your diet is balanced and protects you against many lifestyle related health issues.

The simplest way to improve the Omega-3 Index is to increase the intake of EPA and DHA by eating marine products rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that the Omega-3 Index is influenced by intake of EPA and DHA: every 4 g of EPA and DHA ingested per month increased the Omega-3 Index by 0.24 %. The Omega-3 Index is also influenced by age, diabetes, body mass index, gender, physical activity, and some other factors, like social status and alcohol intake.

Increased intake of fish oil (EPA and DHA) may have several health benefits. A few of them are:
• Reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, especially among elderly people with hypertension.
• Lowers heart rate.
• Improves the function of the endothelium, the innermost layer of our arteries.
• Reduce chronic low-grade inflammation.
• Lowers blood levels of triglycerides by 25-30 percent (16). Relatively high doses are needed to achieve this effect (up to 3-4 g/day).

What Types of Fish Contains Most Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

High Omega-3 content fishes: Salmon, herring pickled, tuna Bluefin, mackerel, sardines (canned in oil) and oysters (steamed).

Intermediate Omega-3 content fishes: swordfish, rainbow trout, sea bass, crab king, walleye, tuna (canned in water) and flatfish

Low Omega-3 content fishes: Halibut, Northern lobster, clams, scallop, haddock, cod, mahi-mahi, shrimp, and catfish

Fish or Fish oil Supplements

Not everyone loves to eat fish. And, high omega-3 content fishes are also not available everywhere. Some people are allergic to fish, or some are vegetarian or pregnant. Therefore, fish oil supplements can be a good alternative to consume Omega-3 fats. When choosing a fish oil supplement, make sure it contains EPA and DHA, two very essential Omega-3 fats that are proven to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation. If you’re a vegetarian who doesn’t want to consume anything that is associated with fish, then you can purchase an algae-based DHA supplement as an option.

According to the AHA, if you want the full omega-3 fatty acid health benefits, then fish reigns supreme. Studies have shown that fish, in addition to providing cardiovascular benefits, is loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals as well as protein that you just can’t get from fish oil supplements. But taking a fish oil supplement, especially if you don’t like fish or can’t get enough in your diet, is a great backup plan.

References
• https://www.virtua.org/articles/fish-vs-fish-oil-which-is-better
• https://www.docsopinion.com/2015/10/05/the-omega-3-index/

The extraordinary benefits of Omega-3 for kids

A recent research found that parents’ efforts are more important for a child’s educational attainment than the school’s efforts, which in turn is more important than the child’s own efforts. Parents make every effort to provide their children an edge in school and according to Oxford researchers that edge may be found in their daily diet. This has been proven that long-term dietary choices influences children’s mental health and cognitive function, whether positively or negatively. But intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids especially Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) influences child’s growth in a positive way. They supports normal growth and metabolism in children. EPA and DHA protect against heart diseases, have anti-inflammatory properties, aid in proper retinal and brain development, and improve focus and behaviour in children. They are among-st the most important good fats that our body requires, but unfortunately cannot produce on its own, and therefore, must be a part of our diet that should be taken externally. A study in journal Prostaglandins Leukotrienes & Essential fatty acids found that “If your child is making the wrong decisions, it could be due to his lower omega-3 fatty acid levels”. Low levels of Omega-3, particularly EPA and DHA, are associated with worse performance on reading tests and working memory, and more symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
Numerous studies have shown multiple benefits of daily consumption of Omega-3s on children, a few of them are: Supports child’s cognitive development, better hand-eye coordination, social skills, attention span, and intelligent test scores, better vision or eye functions, better concentration, supports child’s ability to learn and behave better, moderate improvement in ADHD symptoms including problems in processing emotions and socializing and also it supports memory functioning. Lower Omega-3 levels can make the child susceptible to certain inflammatory conditions or affect their cognitive functioning. Hence parents must ensure to include Omega-3s in their child’s daily diet.

Taking this into consideration, Lipomic Healthcare has launched India’s first Home2Lab test, the OMEGA HealthTest to measure Omega-3 levels in blood. The simple & safe blood collection method does not require a full blood draw or a visit to the doctor. One drop of blood is all require to access the nutritional status of your child. The OMEGA HealthTest is a convenient finger prick Home2Lab test to get a complete fatty acid profile of your child, with a full report that outlines the key inflammatory and dietary biomarkers and recommends a personalized dose to bring the biomarker into healthy target ranges. Therefore, it is important to know Omega-3 levels before embarking on any dietary changes or supplement regime, to know the right dose for your child.

Based on the test results, Lipomic Healthcare or your doctor recommends the consumption of Omega-3 supplements. Omega Boost Active Softgels by Lipomic is a high strength Omega-3 supplements rich in EPA and DHA that will fulfil your child’s daily Omega-3 requirement. These softgels are burp free and easy to swallow which is a great choice as the supplement for kids.

Lipomic Healthcare is keen to expand the reach of this relatively new and unique Home2Lab test along with Omega Boost active softgels across India. Therefore, you must ensure to provide your child Omega-3 rich foods and supplements for a healthy life ahead.

Your child will thank you for it.

For more information, contact 011-45500127 or

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