Omega-3s and Vitamin D3

An article titled “Omega3 + D3: New Great-Tasting, Bioavailable Source of Omega-3s and D3” appeared in last month’s newsletter, introducing Omega3 + D3, a new product providing a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3. This current discussion is a follow-up to the previous article, providing more detailed information about the benefits of omega-3s and vitamin D3 and how consuming these two important nutrients is a crucial part of any health-supporting regimen.

The Need for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Western diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, compared with the diet on which human beings evolved and their genetic patterns were established.¹ As a matter of fact, a recent Harvard School of Public Health study estimates that low dietary omega-3 intake may contribute to as many as 96,000 U.S. deaths per year.² Other research has clearly shown that excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids and a very high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, as is found in today’s Western diets, promote suboptimal heart and immune health and an unbalanced inflammatory response, whereas increased levels of omega-3 (a low omega-6 to omega-3 ratio) contribute to optimal health.¹ The American diet is rich in omega-6 fatty acids; thus, supplementation with omega-3s is vitally important to balance the ratio. Yet, omega-3 supplementation can sway the ratio too far in the opposite direction over the course of time. Hence, it has become popular to offer a balance of Omega-3, 6 and 9 in EFA formulas.

Cardiovascular Health

In several studies, omega-3s have been shown to help promote healthy triglyceride levels already within a normal range.^3-5 Furthermore, consuming 1 gram/day of fish oils from fish (about 3 ounces of fatty fish such as salmon) or fish oil supplements promotes healthy cardiovascular function.⁶ Individually, EPA and DHA may also help promote healthy cardiovascular function.

Population research indicates that increased consumption of EPA is associated with reduced mortality in patients with compromised coronary artery functioning.⁷ Preliminary clinical research shows that patients concerned with cholesterol balance and coronary artery function who take EPA are able to significantly support cardiovascular function.⁸ Likewise, DHA promotes healthy levels of serum triglycerides already within a normal range. In addition, DHA supports HDL-2 cholesterol levels already within a normal range.^9-10

Healthy Inflammatory Response

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help promote a healthy inflammatory response and even help with common everyday inflammation caused by a variety of lifestyle factors.^11-12 One study indicates the mechanism of action by which omega-3s exert this effect is through competition with the fatty acid arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid can be converted via an enzymatic process into pro-inflammatory substances, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Omega-3s are able to compete with arachidonic acid for enzymatic metabolism, which can result in less production of PGE2.¹²

Omega-3s and Joints

A well-controlled clinical study demonstrated that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids promoted healthy joint function.¹³ As a matter of fact, a comprehensive review of medical literature by a board certified rheumatologist revealed that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with significant support for joint structure and function.¹⁴ Furthermore, an expert workshop reviewing the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids also found that these natural substances were able to help promote joint comfort and flexibility.¹⁵ It should be noted that these joint-related benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids occurred in children,¹⁶ as well as adults.

Women’s Health

Clinical research shows that supplementing with EPA modestly but significantly reduces the frequency of hot flashes compared to placebo in menopausal women. After 8 weeks, there was a decrease in the number of daily hot flashes in women taking the EPA.¹⁷

Juvenile Behavior

Research has shown that highly active children with difficulty paying attention may have low plasma levels of EPA and DHA.¹⁸

Other Research

One study indicated that an increase in dietary consumption of DHA was associated with promoting healthy visual function in the macular region of the eye.¹⁹ A population-based study suggests that higher dietary intake of DHA is associated with promoting short-term memory and cognitive function with age.²⁰ In addition, population-based research suggests that higher serum levels of long chain n-3 fatty acids are associated with healthy prostate cell turnover.²¹

The Need for Vitamin D

Another nutrient crucial to optimal well-being is vitamin D. It is known as the “sunshine vitamin,” so coined because exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light will convert a form of cholesterol under the skin into vitamin D. This nutrient is best known for its role in helping to facilitate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus (as well as magnesium), thus helping to promote bone health.²² In addition, vitamin D plays a number of roles in promoting healthy immune function.^23-24 Adequate vitamin D levels may also be important in promoting blood pressure already within a normal range.²⁵ Also, data suggest that adequate vitamin D levels may have a positive effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance.^26-28 It should be noted that there are two forms of vitamin D, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). Cholecalciferol is the form made in the human body, and it is more active than ergocalciferol.²⁹

Vitamin D Deficiency

As discussed in one study in the June 2011 newsletter, outright vitamin D deficiency is present in 41.6 percent of the U.S. population,³⁰ while another study showed that vitamin D insufficiency (i.e., lacking sufficient vitamin D) is present in 77 percent of the population.³¹ If you are deficient in vitamin D, you will not be as efficient in absorbing enough calcium to satisfy your body’s calcium needs.³² It has long been known that vitamin D deficiency (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL) has consequences for bone health, but since vitamin D insufficiency (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL) is also common, the result may be an increased probability of suboptimal bone health, as well as other health concerns.^33-34

Omega3 + D3: An Emulsified Product

In addition to being a convenient and tasty combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3, Omega3 + D3 is also an emulsified product. The significance of this is that emulsifying fish oil: 1) allows for the production of a pleasant-tasting supplement that is well-tolerated by patients⁴¹ and 2) has a greater absorption of total omega-3s compared to regular fish oil softgels.⁴¹ Although there is no specific published research on emulsified vitamin D, it is likely that the emulsification process will also benefit the absorption of this fat-soluble vitamin.

References

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41. Raatz SK, Redmon JB, Wimmergren N, Donadio JV, Bibus DM. Enhanced absorption of n-3 fatty acids from emulsified compared with encapsulated fish oil. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(6):1076-81.