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I am a little confused as to the difference in these 3 efa's. I have RA, and have been taking Omega-3 fish oil capsules, but recently read that borage oil could be beneficial. I do also occasionally supplement with flax oil. Are all 3 of these Omega-3's, just different types? I do not want to add any Omega-6's. Thx!
In Reply to: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Maggie on August 11, 2003 at 13:47:48:
Hi Maggie - Why don't you start taking one tablespoon of the liquid UDO's Choice Oil before going to bed, which has both of the omega oils in it, as well as maqny other important nutrients and oils!!!! * S.H.A.P.E. *
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by S.H.A.P.E. on August 11, 2003 at 15:13:51:
Hi Shape, Just wondered why you recommend taking the oil before bed? I've never heard anyone else recommend this.
I usually read that it should be taken with food.
Would this cause weight gain?
Thanks, Dahlimama
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Dahlimama on August 11, 2003 at 15:45:48:
Taking the oil before going to bed gives it all night long to heal your gut lining, without the interferance of foods and beverages. If you take oil in the morning or with your meals, the oil interferes with absorption of your nutritents so why take that chance! * S.H.A.P.E. *
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by S.H.A.P.E. To Dahlimama on August 11, 2003 at 18:53:10:
& that way maybe on an empty stomach doesnt make you nauseous?
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by S.H.A.P.E. on August 11, 2003 at 15:13:51:
Butg i have read that we alreadt get too many Omega-6 oils, and to improve the 3-6 ratio we should only take Omega-3? Is this not correct? Ahh...this is why I am so confused! ;o)
In Reply to: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Maggie on August 11, 2003 at 13:47:48:
I read something about flaxseed oil having to undergo a conversion to be as useful as fish oil.
In Reply to: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Maggie on August 11, 2003 at 13:47:48:
Thanks Shape...And the weight gain?
Dahlimama
In Reply to: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Maggie on August 11, 2003 at 13:47:48:
Hi, Maggie.
10% of the USA population needs more omega 6s. The only way I know to figure this out (practically) is to try it while not changing anything else.
Walt
In Reply to: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Maggie on August 11, 2003 at 13:47:48:
about OMEGA-3:
Flax Oil = Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), which the body will convert to EPA and DHA;
Fish Oil = eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is an essential fatty acid, (EFA) which means that it is essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, ALA must be obtained from food. ALA, as well as the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), belong to a group of fatty acids called OMEGA-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is highly concentrated in certain plant oils such as flaxseed oil and to a lesser extent, canola, soy, perilla, and walnut oils. Once ingested, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of OMEGA-3 fatty acids more readily "bioavailable" to the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive and behavioral function as well as normal growth and development.
and, OMEGA-6:
Borage Oil and Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) = Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
There are several different types of OMEGA-6 fatty acids. Linoleic acid (LA), another OMEGA-6 fatty acid, is found in cooking oils and processed foods and converted to GLA in the body. GLA is then broken down to arachidonic acid (AA) and/or another substance called dihomogamma-liolenic acid (DGLA). AA can also be consumed directly from meat, and GLA is available directly from evening primrose oil (EPO), and in much higher concentraions in black currant seed oil and borage oil: note that most of these oils also contain some linoleic acid (LA).
Excess amounts of LA and AA are unhealthy because they promote inflammation, thereby leading to several diseases. In contrast, GLA may actually reduce inflammation. Much of the GLA taken in as a (Borage Oil or EPO) supplement is not converted to AA, but rather to a substance called dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). DGLA competes with AA and prevents the negative inflammatory effects that AA would otherwise cause in the body.
OVERVIEW:
OMEGA-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most OMEGA-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflamation. An inappropriate BALANCE of these essential fatty acids contributes to the development of disease while a proper balance helps maintain and even improve health.
Lack of OMEGA-6 fatty acids, however, is extremely rare in diets of those living in certain Western countries: The average North American diet provides more than 10 times the necessary amount of linoleic acid (LA) and tends to have too much OMEGA-6 fatty acids compared to OMEGA-3 fatty acids. Many researchers believe this imbalance is a significant factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United States.
In contrast, a Mediterranean diet is made up of a healthier and more appropriate balance between OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6 fatty acids: The Mediterranean diet includes a generous amount of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, and garlic; plus, there is little meat, which is high in OMEGA-6 fatty acids.
For optimum health, the ratio of OMEGA-6 to OMEGA-3 fatty acids should be between 1:1 and 4:1. The typical North American diets are usually in the range of 11:1 to 30:1.
-> It is this imbalance that contributes to the development of long-term diseases such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis, and depression as well as, possibly, increased risk of infection.
Thus, studies in North America often suggest that OMEGA-3 = Flax Oil (ALA) and Fish Oil (EPA and DHA) Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) may be helpful in treating a variety of conditions. The evidence is strongest for heart disease and problems that contribute to heart disease, but there are a range of possible uses for OMEGA-3 = ALA, EPA+DHA supplementation, as well as [OMEGA-3's plus OMEGA-6 = GLA] or, "OMEGA balanced" supplementation being explored.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's)
Most folks in North America begin their journey by supplementing their diet with OMEGA-3: a reasonable first step is to increase EPA and DHA, taken as one 1,000 mg fish oil capsule after a meal, twice a day. Note that flaxseed oil and fish oil should be kept refrigerated.
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Steve Shelton on August 15, 2003 at 02:23:29:
Hi Steve
Very interesting, but what if you have trouble converting oils as my children seem to? When my son was young only evening primrose oil rubbed on his stomach cured his eczema.
& these days i worry that the omega 6 he gets in his food is not being converted right.
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Steve Shelton on August 15, 2003 at 02:23:29:
Thanks, Steve.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: borage, flax or fish oils??? posted by Steve Shelton on August 15, 2003 at 02:23:29:
Thanks, this is exactly what I was trying to understand-
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