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Nutrition News: Omega 3's and More....
Omega-3s, some vitamin E and a B vitamin may help each other out as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
I'm not a big supplement supporter in general only because I have an appreciation for the genius behind nature; the different components in plants, for example, and how everything is in balance and seems to fit together. But I do think we are getting to a place, with advancements in nutrition research, that we may be uncovering some crucial information on ideal supplements for various conditions and diseases. With that said, I wanted to tell you about some new research from Italy that I am personally very intrigued by...
What happens when you take a combined supplement of a smart fat (omega-3s), an antioxidant vitamin (vitamin E) and a B vitamin known to be a heart helper (niacin)?
A recent Italian study suggests that this particular combination has a lot to offer because each of these do not oppose each other but in fact protect each other and act together at different levels of lipid production in the body. The Italian study, which supplemented one group of people with a placebo, another group received omega-3 and vitamin E supplements, and a third group was given the omega-3s, vitamin, plus a niacin supplement, found that the combination supplements improved lipid profiles and helped protect against inflammation and oxidative stress to the point that lower doses of the supplements could be given. [Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases March 2006 Vol. 16, Issue 2 pages 121-127 Accinni R., et al., "Effects of combined dietary supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory status in dyslipidemic subjects"]
How could these three seemingly different supplements be helping each other so powerfully in the body? First of all, they aren't the strange bedfellows you would think they are. Niacin is very effective in improving our lipid profiles (decreasing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and raising HDL good cholesterol). Fish oil with long chain omega-3s improves the physical characteristics of cholesterol particles (making them larger and less atherogenic), decreases triglycerides and decreases the production of inflammatory markers in the body (the cytokines--TNF, Inter Leuken-1, and -6). Vitamin E is a well known antioxidant and may prevent the oxidation of lipids which helps them to be less atherogenic (less likely to encourage
plaque and fatty deposits in the artery walls). All of these effects become additive in combination therapy, according to Penny Kris-Etherton Ph.D., R.D., nutrition professor and researcher at Penn State University. The bottom line is that in this particular case "It's more effective to have lower doses of multiple agents acting in different ways, than a lot of one agent acting by one mechanism," explains Kris-Etherton.
Combination supplements...I think we could be on to something!
~~Elaine
Related Topics: 4 Tips to Lower Cholesterol, Quiz: How you can lower cholesterol
Technorati Tags: supplements, omega3, vitamins, cholesterol, combinationsupplements
I'm not a big supplement supporter in general only because I have an appreciation for the genius behind nature; the different components in plants, for example, and how everything is in balance and seems to fit together. But I do think we are getting to a place, with advancements in nutrition research, that we may be uncovering some crucial information on ideal supplements for various conditions and diseases. With that said, I wanted to tell you about some new research from Italy that I am personally very intrigued by...
What happens when you take a combined supplement of a smart fat (omega-3s), an antioxidant vitamin (vitamin E) and a B vitamin known to be a heart helper (niacin)?
A recent Italian study suggests that this particular combination has a lot to offer because each of these do not oppose each other but in fact protect each other and act together at different levels of lipid production in the body. The Italian study, which supplemented one group of people with a placebo, another group received omega-3 and vitamin E supplements, and a third group was given the omega-3s, vitamin, plus a niacin supplement, found that the combination supplements improved lipid profiles and helped protect against inflammation and oxidative stress to the point that lower doses of the supplements could be given. [Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases March 2006 Vol. 16, Issue 2 pages 121-127 Accinni R., et al., "Effects of combined dietary supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory status in dyslipidemic subjects"]
How could these three seemingly different supplements be helping each other so powerfully in the body? First of all, they aren't the strange bedfellows you would think they are. Niacin is very effective in improving our lipid profiles (decreasing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and raising HDL good cholesterol). Fish oil with long chain omega-3s improves the physical characteristics of cholesterol particles (making them larger and less atherogenic), decreases triglycerides and decreases the production of inflammatory markers in the body (the cytokines--TNF, Inter Leuken-1, and -6). Vitamin E is a well known antioxidant and may prevent the oxidation of lipids which helps them to be less atherogenic (less likely to encourage
plaque and fatty deposits in the artery walls). All of these effects become additive in combination therapy, according to Penny Kris-Etherton Ph.D., R.D., nutrition professor and researcher at Penn State University. The bottom line is that in this particular case "It's more effective to have lower doses of multiple agents acting in different ways, than a lot of one agent acting by one mechanism," explains Kris-Etherton.
Combination supplements...I think we could be on to something!
~~Elaine
Related Topics: 4 Tips to Lower Cholesterol, Quiz: How you can lower cholesterol
Technorati Tags: supplements, omega3, vitamins, cholesterol, combinationsupplements
7 Comments:
I take Benicar HCT 20mg/12.5mg for high blood pressure and I use Travatan 0.004% to help control Glacoma which I don't have yet. If I take the Schiff brand Move Free Advanced which has Glucosamine Hydrochloride 1.5g & Chondroitin Sulfate 200mg & Uniflex Proprietary Extract 250mg & Joint Fluid {Hyaluronic Acid} 3.3mg . Will it go with what I already take ?
"It's more effective to have lower doses of multiple agents acting in different ways, then a lot of one agent acting by one mechanism," explains Kris-Etherton. This is why eating FOOD, God's vitamin pills, with these nutrients are such a powerful combination. There are 10,000 phytochemicals in an apple! If people have a hard time eating nutrient-dense food, there is fruit and vegetable concentrates available.
I don't know how seriously I can take information from people that don't know the written difference between "then" and "than"....
anonymous,
Since spelling and grammar have very little to do with nutrition I wouldn't make the mistake of confusing the two. I thought there was some great information in this post, which is what I'm looking for when I read blogs.
Thanks,Elaine
Oops, clarifying above comment -- my "thanks, Elaine" was directed TO Elaine and not meant to look like a signature.
To anonymous writer who is critical of spelling/gramar not content. You need to find something else to do with your life or better yet get a life.
What do you look for in Fish Oil Supplements. And how much should you take each day? What is the breakdown of how much should be EPA and DHA etc.
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