Mighty Omega’s
By Christine Cheng, R.Ph. and Fred Cheng, R.Ph.
Anyone who reads our articles will likely have noticed a trend: we’re fans of supplementing with omega fatty acids! Unless there are dietary restrictions in place, we often suggest the use of fish oils to get your omega’s. But, there are a couple of stand-out products in the veggie-realm that warrant some attention.
Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic (DHA) are the omega-3 fatty acids that have a broad range of benefit in our bodies. They are synthesized by marine plants and algae, taken up by zooplankton, which are then consumed by fish. Thus, these useful “fats” are concentrated in the tissues of animals higher up the food chain which translates to more potent or higher concentrations of EPA and DHA in fish-sourced supplements. However, for those who prefer not to eat fish, “NUTRAVEGE 2X” provides a fairly potent source of EPA and DHA sourced from algae.
The use of omega 3 supplements has the most marked benefits in treating elevated triglyceride levels, but they can also benefit coronary artery disease, depression, menopausal symptoms, and dry eye syndrome. They have also been reported by many of our clients to help with skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. DHA has been used to improve age-related cognitive impairment, cognitive performance, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and depression. Omega-3’s in general can help reduce inflammation in the body, thus providing relief for chronic inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
It is important to note that the first choice for getting your omega-3s should be from dietary sources versus supplements. Choose oil-based supplements from reputable companies that perform third-party analyses on their products to ensure the levels of contaminants and freshness more than adhere to government regulations. This is because toxins found in oil-based supplements could potentially be stored in our own fatty tissues after consumption. We always ask our readers to check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting on any supplement. This is especially important when considering taking fish oils before doses of higher than 3grams per day in men might interfere with blood coagulation and increase the risk of bleeding. In women, the threshold is lower at possibly 1g per day. Come talk to us about adding an omega-3 supplement to support your overall health!
Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-owned and operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore.
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