Entries in DHA (6)

Thursday
25Feb2010

Childhood Obesity starts with Formulas?

DateThursday, February 25, 2010 at 8:39PM

Last week’s blog regarding the New York Times article citing bypass surgery for children set off a raw nerve with readers.  Childhood obesity is multi-factorial but can it actually start with the first bottle of formula?

One ingredient to avoid on food labels is high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup.  Many infant formulas list this ingredient as second or third.  Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF, gave an elaborate lecture on u-tube regarding the consequences of sugar and high fructose corn syrup.  He blew the whistle on the obesity epidemic starting with corn syrup in infant formulas.

Many women are unable to breastfeed for multiple reasons.  A few years ago some of my female clients turned to me for help in selecting an appropriate formula.  After spending many hours online and in the store I only found one or two formulas that came close to something I would recommend.

Besides corn syrup in cow-based formulas there even more issues with soy formulas since they are made with soy protein isolate (SPI).  To make SPI, manufactures take soybeans that are about 90 percent genetically modified, and mix them with a solution to remove the fiber.  This fiber-less soybean is then dried at high temperatures which denature the quality of the protein.  In addition, soy acts like a pseudo-estrogen in the body and it is estimated that an infant fed soy formula receives the amount of estrogen per day in at least 5 birth control pills – not such a great start to life.

Formula makers are now supplementing with the important omega-3 fats DHA and EPA to help the baby’s brain development.  However, the sources of these essential fats can be poor or contain inadequate amounts.

It might be time to demand infant formula makers to make a change-maybe the first step needed in Michelle Obama's campaign against childhood obesity.  Women receive cases of these formulas free in the hospital to encourage usage, unknowingly feeding their babies something which could influence their future health.  It’s time we started preventing obesity from the beginning – rather than prescriptions later.

AuthorSusan Dopart | CommentPost a Comment |
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Thursday
21Jan2010

Telomeres and Omega 3's: Is there a Connection?

DateThursday, January 21, 2010 at 2:24PM

This week researchers at the University of California in San Francisco reported results on patients they had studied over 5 years who had a history of heart attacks and/or heart disease.  They were specifically looking at the effects of omega 3 fats on aging and telomere length.

Telomeres are DNA complexes on the ends of chromosomes.  Researcher Elizabeth Blackburn compares telomeres to the tips at the ends of new shoelaces which preventing unraveling.  As the telomeres shorten the ends unravel and this unraveling has been linked with aging.

Individuals who had higher levels of omega 3 fats in their blood had significantly less shortening of their telomeres than those who who had low levels.  The study did not differentiate between food or supplements.

What is the take home message for us?  Many people take multiple medications and/or supplements to prevent aging.  If you eat fatty fish 3-4 times a week you may be adding years to your life.  If fish is not in your diet I recommend you take a good quality fish oil supplement with at least 500-1000 mg. each of the omega 3 fats DHA and EPA.  By eating 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed you will easily be getting  your needs for the third omega 3 fat – ALA.  Remember it’s prevention, not prescription.

AuthorSusan Dopart | Comment2 Comments |
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Sunday
22Nov2009

Omega-3 Fats versus Statin Drugs?

DateSunday, November 22, 2009 at 3:37PM

You may have heard those four dreaded words from your physician:  “Your cholesterol is elevated." Then the next feared sentence – “I would like you to consider going on a statin drug.”  Statin drugs are ones like Mevacor, Lipitor, and Crestor.  The drug companies prefer most people to be on one.  A few years back the guidelines magically changed for the optimal value for LDL (the lousy cholesterol as I like to call it).  It is now recommended that the LDL value be below 70 versus the old recommendation of 100 mg/dl.

It is almost impossible to have an LDL value below 70 WITHOUT being on a statin drug – presto!  However, are there alternatives to statin drugs and what is the research showing?

A 2008 study published in The Lancet looked at the difference between statin drugs versus supplements of omega-3 fatty acids on heart failure.  After almost four years of follow-up, the group taking the omega-3 supplements reduced the risk of mortality by 9 percent and admission to the hospital for any cardiovascular cause by 8 percent.

There were no differences seen in lowered risk of mortality or hospital admissions in the group on statin therapy.  Therefore, the omega 3 supplements were more effective than the statin drugs.  What are omega 3 fatty acids and how do they work?

There are 3 types of omega 3 fats:  ALA, DHA and EPA.  I will spare you the long names but will share with you where they are found and how to incorporate them into your diet.  ALA is found in the highest concentration in ground flax seed.  If you incorporate 1 tablespoon per day into your diet you will meet you needs for ALA. 

DHA and EPA are found in fish and fish oils.  If you consume fatty fish on a regular basis (2-3 times per week) you can easily meet your needs.  If you are not a fish lover, there are liquid fish oils that are easy to incorporate into a smoothie, yogurt and just take by themselves.

Omega 3 fats are extremely effective at lowering all kinds of inflammation in the body including cholesterol and heart disease.  Combined with a balanced healthy diet of lean protein sources, fruits, vegetables, and exercise there are many alternatives to going on statin drugs.

So if you ever hear those 4 dreaded words from your physician know you have a choice and omega 3 fats may be one of the answers.  Or better yet, be prepared in advance and make the necessary changes before you have to have a cholesterol conversation with your physician.   And remember – it is prevention not prescription!

AuthorSusan Dopart | Comment2 Comments |
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Saturday
12Sep2009

Designer Food Worth the Extra Cost?

DateSaturday, September 12, 2009 at 5:14PM

Jumping off grocery store shelves are foods laced with specialty food supplements.  Are these “foods” worth the extra cost?  Can they really improve your health or are these products just another way to allure us to buy something that is “good” for us?

Omega3-laced eggs and milk.  Calcium supplemented chocolate chews and orange juice.  Vitamin C supplemented “energy drinks.”  Just how practical are these foods to our needs?

A typical omega-3 supplemented egg provides about 200 mg. of omega 3 fatty acids – sounds good so far.  However, if you break it down a typical omega 3 gel supplement has 1000 mg. of total omega-3 fatty acids per capsule.  Therefore, you are only getting about a fifth of a capsule in an egg. 

In addition, the most important thing to know about omega 3’s in HOW much DHA and EPA you are receiving in your supplement (see blog 7/5/09).  A 1000 mg. capsule of Carlson Super Omega 3 Fish Oil Capsules has 200 mg of DHA and 300 mg. of EPA. The outside of the bottle says 1000 mg. of omega 3’s but that is TOTAL marine fats. 

Therefore, your omega 3 eggs costing you about 60-80 percent more than regular eggs are not worth the extra cost.  The wiser investment is to take the supplement and consume regular eggs.  The same is true for most all of these “foods.”  Manufacturers are just using buzzwords to entice us to buy their products to improve our health and well-being. 

Eating clean food with no food label or less than 5 ingredients is the start.  Then consuming a balance of protein, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, good fats from omega-3 rich foods (fish and ground flax seed), and monounsaturated sources (avocados, olive oil) is the next step.  An important supplement may be fish oil or Vitamin D (see blog 7/12).

 
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Monday
07Sep2009

The Omega-3 Index?

DateMonday, September 7, 2009 at 4:02PM

In today’s LA Times health Section, Chris Woolston gives an unbiased and helpful review on the Omega-3 Index, a new tool sold to measure 2 out of the 3 types of omega 3’s fatty acids in your blood:  EPA and DHA. For $149 you can prick your finger (much like a diabetic pricks their finger to measure their blood sugars), put your blood on a strip and send it away for testing.

Omega 3’s are vital for health (see blog 7/5/09) and are helpful for prevention of many health related issues such as insulin resistance, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis to name a few.  Is it really necessary to order this type of test versus just going out and purchasing a supplement that contains at least 1000 mg. each of DHA and EPA?  That depends on your particular situation.

If for some medical reason you are unable to take fish oil supplements due to an allergy or a medication interaction, this test may be a good idea to measure the levels of omega 3’s in your blood.  If you can take fish oil, skip the test and buy a good supplement.  They are a healthful addition to any diet and can assist immensely with lowering many types of inflammation in the body.

 
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