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Omega-3 fatty acids are used to help lower the risk of heart disease, help manage depression, dementia and arthritis, but in spite of decades of effective therapeutic applications, there is still some controversy around fish oil, as it's sometimes called.
There's some confusion about when to prescribe, how much is safe, the correct ratios of DHA and EPA as well as how to test and assess the omega-3 levels in the body.
Well, today Dr Bruce Holub, Patricia Borsato and Andrew Jenkins are here to give us the answers we need to put omega-3 to work for our patients.
Key Takeaways
Evidence
Thousands of papers have shown that omega-3’s play a very important role in supporting brain functioning, visual acuity, cardiovascular health, all-cause mortality and even age-related dementia.
EPA vs DHA
EPA and DHA are the two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in all omega-3 supplements. With respect to DHA, it supports brain functioning, particularly in young children and during pregnancy and also for visual acuity. EPA supports cardiovascular benefits, all-cause mortality and also, of course, age-related dementia.
Omega Score
We should be measuring the level of omega-3’s in your blood to ascertain what your risk factors are for various disorders. So establishing your Omega score is really the gold standard for assessing each individual's status for various risk factors.
Key Quotation
“I will say that the vast majority of individuals in North America who get tested for omega-3’s in the blood will fall into the moderate to high-risk zone. Very few indeed will be in the low-risk zone. They may not be taking any supplements or the supplement they are taking is just not delivering the adequate amount of omega-3 required”
- Dr Bruce Holub.
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The opinions expressed in this Nutramedica program are those of the guests and contributors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Nutritional Fundamentals For Health Inc.
This video is intended for licensed or registered health professionals and students of health professions only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information contained in these programs is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
