Omega-3 Frequently Asked Questions What are Omega-3's? Why is there so much talk about Omega-3? How can I get Omega-3 fatty acids into my diet? How does Omega-3 actually work in the body? What kind of fats are Omega-6 fatty acids? What about olive oil? How do Omega-3’s convert? What if I don’t like fish? Is there any other way I can get Omega-3? How can fish oil powder not be fishy? Is Omega-3 Brain Booster™ safe for everyone? Is it harmful to intake too much fish oil? What about mercury in fish? Can fish oil go rancid? Can I get Omega-3 from flax? Are there any health problems that can be made worse with fish oil? How do pregnant women get enough Omega-3’s if they are supposed to avoid eating fish? Do pregnant women transfer all of the Omega-3’s to their babies or just some? How quickly does Omega-3 enter the body? Q. What are Omega-3’s? A. Omega-3’s are long-chain polyunsaturated essential fatty acids (lipids) that are vital to human health. They are a family of three fats (EPA, DHA and ALA) that perform an important role in the body by increasing the proper function of: Brain activity Heart and circulatory system Visual capacities Nervous system Immune system, and Cell communication Q. Why is there so much talk about Omega-3? A. Although scientists have known about the benefits of Omega-3 for more than 30 years, Omega-3 has just recently started to gain world-wide attention. As years of extensive research studies draw to an end, the conclusive results of the importance of Omega-3 are attracting the international media spot light. Ongoing research is expanding our understanding of the benefits and positive effects of Omega-3. In addition, numerous studies conducted in the last several years have called urgent attention to the deficiencies of Omega-3 in our diets. Researchers are discovering that not getting enough Omega-3’s in the diet isn’t the only problem we have. When we eat too many other fats, such as saturated fats and Omega-6 fatty acids, it is harder for the body to utilize the Omega-3’s that we do eat. The tendency, with the average American diet, is for Omega-3’s to be broken down and discarded. In order to have the best Omega-3 health possible, it is important to reduce Omega-6 consumption at the same time we increase Omega-3 consumption. A healthy ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 for adults is 2:1. Today, most people have a ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 as high as 20:1. An imbalance of this ratio can cause several health problems. Many chronic diseases (for example, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome) and diseases of mental health (for example, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and depression) have been linked to a dietary imbalance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. To view a PDF file of research summaries on the benefits of omega-3 click here. Q. How can I get Omega-3 fatty acids into my diet? A. There are three ways to get Omega-3 fatty acids: (1) we can eat them in certain foods or supplements, (2) under the right conditions, our bodies can convert one source of Omega-3 to another, and (3) mothers transfer them to babies during pregnancy and breast-feeding. The chart below summarizes the major food sources of the Omega-3 fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) EPA is primarily found in fish, fish oil, and food products that have been supplemented with fish and fish oil, such as Omega-3 Brain Booster™. Also, excess DHA can be converted to EPA. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) In addition to fish and fish oil, DHA is found in marine algae supplements and food products that have been supplemented with fish, fish oil, such as Omega-3 Brain Booster™. The body can convert a very small percentage of ALA (about 2 to 3 percent in most Americans) to DHA. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) ALA cannot be made by the body, and is mostly found in plant sources such as flax. Only a very small percentage of ALA can be converted for use in the body (about 2 to 3 percent in most Americans). Q. How does Omega-3 actually work in the body? A. Within the brain are neurons (cells which transmit messages throughout the brain and to other parts of the body). The membrane (or wall) around these neurons is made up of “good” fat. These membranes need to be flexible to allow vital molecules to pass through so the neurons can communicate properly. Several factors, including age and diets high in cholesterol and saturated fats, can cause these membranes to stiffen and be less pliable. This stiffness does not allow the needed molecules to pass through the neurons correctly and can result in mood imbalances, difficulties in learning, difficulties in recalling information, and other decreases in brain function. By supplementing your diet with Omega-3, you can restore the flexible and pliable nature of the cell membranes, thus allowing the free-flow of vital molecules within your brain. This results in increased cell communication and brain function. In addition, Omega-3 benefits the body by acting as a blood cleanser and making the blood less sticky and more fluid. This allows more oxygen to reach the brain and, in essence, “feeds” the brain. It also improves overall circulation and heart health, helps manage inflammation, and improves function of just about every cell in the body. Q. What kind of fats are Omega-6 fatty acids? A. Omega-6 fatty acids are found mainly in liquid oils, such as corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, and cottonseed oil. In large quantities, these Omega-6 oils can cancel out the benefits of “good” Omega-3 fatty acids. The only liquid oil with a high Omega-3 fatty acid content is canola oil. Q. What about olive oil? A. Olive oil contains no Omega-3 fatty acids, but it is primarily a monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats can typically help us replace Omega-6 fatty acids, thus enabling these oils to help us to better use our Omega-3 fatty acids. Other fats that fall into this category are the fats found in nuts and avocados. Q. How do Omega-3’s convert? A. When the diet has provided enough calories, vitamins, minerals, and ALA to the body, ALA can be converted into EPA. Approximately 15 percent of dietary ALA can be converted into EPA. From there, EPA can be converted into DHA. Under the very best of circumstances, conversion of ALA to DHA is only about 5%. For the average American, who tends to eat more saturated fat and fewer fruits and vegetables than is recommended, experts estimate that as little as 2-3% of ALA can be converted all the way into EPA and DHA. The other method for conversion of Omega- 3 is if a person has more DHA than their body needs, the excess DHA can be converted to EPA. Most Omega-3 experts recommend that all three Omega-3’s be included in the diet, as the conversion process is not immediate and is dependent on a diet that is not commonly consumed in our country. Q. What if I don’t like fish? Is there any other way I can get Omega-3? A. Omega-3 Brain Booster™ was designed for people just like you! This powder is designed to be stirred into your favorite foods and beverages to increase the Omega-3 content without a fish taste. It can be added to fruit juice, smoothies, sauces (apple, pasta, etc.), baked goods, salad dressing, gravy, soup, and more without affecting the flavors you love. Q. How can fish oil powder not be fishy? A. Omega-3 Brain Booster™ is made with microencapsulated fish oil powder. Microencapsulation uses a shell coating to protect active compounds like fish oil. This shell coating helps create a barrier to oxygen (extending shelf life), allows for controlled release in the body (effective absorption), and also neutralizes any taste or smell. Q. Is Omega-3 Brain Booster™ safe for everyone? A. Omega-3 Brain Booster™ is designed for ages 2 and older. We believe it will work especially well for: Children and adults who do not like to eat fish. Children and adults who like fish but are not eating 2-4 servings of fish per week. Child-bearing women who must avoid certain types of fish. Healthy people with busy schedules who cannot always find quality fish in the restaurants they frequent. Pregnant women, nursing women, and anyone on medication are encouraged to consult a physician before taking any supplements. If you have any concerns about adding Omega-3 Brain Booster™ to your diet, consult your physician. Q. Is it harmful to intake too much fish oil? A. Too much of anything can be harmful. Fortunately, it would be extremely difficult to ingest a harmful amount of Omega-3. Most experts recommend a daily serving of about 250 mg of Omega-3 for children and 500 mg for adults. Q. What about mercury in fish? A. Mercury is a strong neurotoxin and is of particular concern to child-bearing women and children. Certain fish have been found to contain more mercury than others. Even though mercury is more likely to be present in the muscle of the fish and not the fish oil, several precautions are still taken to ensure that Omega-3 Brain Booster™ is essentially mercury free. Our Omega-3 powder undergoes molecular distillation, which is a refinement process for the concentration and purification of EPA and DHA. The fish oil powder is also tested for any contaminants, including mercury. To view a PDF file of our testing results click here. In addition, our Omega-3 powder is the first and only fish oil ingredient to achieve US Pharmacopeia (USP) verification, which is the most rigorous quality assurance verification in the world. Q. Can fish oil go rancid? A. Fish oil can become rancid if it is not used in a timely fashion. Omega-3 Brain Booster™ has been shelf-life tested to be sure it is safe to keep in its original, unopened packaging at room temperature for up to 12 months. Our microencapsulation process helps extend the shelf life by creating an oxygen-protective coating around the fish oil. In addition, each bag of Omega-3 Brain Booster™ is purged with nitrogen to remove oxygen, stop oxidation, and maximize shelf life and stability. After the package is opened, it should be refrigerated and used within 60 days. Q. Can I get Omega-3 from flax? A. Flax is primarily the ALA version of Omega-3. As mentioned above, the conversion of ALA to DHA is not very high and is not recommended as the primary source of DHA. In addition, high intakes of ALA, in some studies, have been correlated with macular degeneration and prostate cancer. Flax is certainly not a bad food to include in the diet, but as a source of DHA, it is not the most plentiful or reliable. It is also important to keep in mind that in order to count as an Omega-3 source, flaxseeds must be ground. Q. Are there any health problems that can be made worse with fish oil? A. Fish oil can affect blood clotting. If you have a blood clotting disorder or are taking medication that affects blood clotting, please check with your physician before supplementing your diet. Some people who historically have not eaten much fish may discover that in large quantities, they have an allergy to fish oil supplements. For this reason, it is wise to start supplementation with a small dose and gradually increase to your target dose as you are confident that you tolerate the product. In some individuals with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, fish oil may worsen this condition. If you have either of these diagnoses, check with your physician before supplementing your diet. Q. How do pregnant women get enough Omega-3’s if they are supposed to avoid eating fish? A. The U.S. government released a highly-publicized warning to pregnant women to avoid certain fish due to their mercury content (shark, tilefish, mackerel, and tuna). While most experts have diligently clarified that eating a variety of other fishes in moderation during pregnancy does not pose the same risk as eating the four fish identified to be high in mercury content, there is evidence that since this warning was released, women have decreased their intake of all fish. Because DHA and EPA are nearly impossible to eat in adequate amounts without fish in the diet, this trend may pose long-term health risks to both mother and baby. Omega-3 Brain Booster™ offers child-bearing women a means for getting the necessary amount of Omega-3 without the concerns about mercury. Q. Do pregnant women transfer all of the Omega-3’s to their babies or just some? A. Mothers transfer all three of the Omega-3 fatty acids to their babies. If their own diets contain enough Omega-3’s for mother and baby to share, then both have enough for healthy function. If for any reason the mother’s diet is not sufficient, her baby’s needs will take priority. Omega-3 fatty acids in the mother’s body will be broken down and transferred to the baby. Nature prioritizes Omega-3 use in this way, because the baby’s brain and nervous system cannot develop without them. Naturally, the brain and nervous systems that most likely suffer when Omega-3 intake is not adequate during pregnancy and nursing, is that of the mother. That is why we recommend daily supplementation using Omega-3 Brain Booster™, so the nutritional needs of both mother and baby can be met. Q. How quickly does omega-3 enter the body system? A. Studies have shown that supplementation with omega-3, particularly DHA, leads to a rapid increase of omega-3 levels in blood plasma. For complete saturation of plasma, consistent supplementation is need for 1-2 months. For saturation of red blood cells and body tissues, supplementation is need for 3-8 months. If a nursing mother supplements with omega-3, DHA levels increase within 1 week. To retain complete saturation levels and to get the full benefit from Omega-3 Brain Booster™ continued daily supplementation is necessary.   These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.