Concentrated Omega

Indications

Concentrated Omega-3 has the following benefits:

• Supports cardiovascular health
• Promotes healthy skin
• Provides key components for nerve function
• Enhances the immune system
• Hormone balancing
• Proper brain development¹ 

Understanding Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are categorized as part of the grouping of fatty acids called long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). There are two main families of PUFAs – omega-3 and omega-6. These fatty acid families are not convertible and have very different biochemical roles.² Linoleic acid (LA) (omega-6 family) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (omega-3 family) are the two dietary EFAs because they prevent deficiency symptoms and cannot be synthesized by humans. These two fatty acids are the starting point for other biologically active fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are also precursors of eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes), hormone-like compounds that help regulate blood pressure, heart rate, vascular dilation, blood clotting, lipolysis, and immune response.  

Over the past 100 years there has been a large increase in the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids due to the increased intake of vegetable oils from corn, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cottonseed and soybeans. Current Western diets provide a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids from ~20-30:1 instead of the previous 1-2:1. Clinical data demonstrates that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids alters the physiologic state to one that favors the promotion of blood clots (prothrombotic), characterized by increases in blood viscosity, vasospasm, vasoconstricition and decreases in bleeding time. Omega-3 fatty acids, however, have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antiarrhythmic, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory properties.³  

Most studies on omega-3 fatty acids have been carried out using fish oils rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, ALA found in green vegetables, flaxseed, and walnuts may convert in the body to EPA and DHA and by itself may have beneficial effects in health and in the control of chronic diseases. 

Mechanisms of Action

The fatty acids LA and ALA and their long-chain derivatives (including EPA and DHA) are key components of animal and plant cell membranes. When consumed, EPA and DHA partially replace the omega-6 fatty acids in cell membranes. As a result, there are a number of activities that affect thromboxane, prostaglandin, and leukotriene activities, some of which include decreased production of prostaglandin E₂ metabolites, decreased thromboxane A₂ (platelet aggregator and vasoconstrictor), and decreased leukotriene B₄ (inflammation inducer).  

Several clinical and epidemiologic studies show that as the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the diet increases, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes is directly proportional.  

Our Product

Concentrated Omega-3 provides 1200 mg of fish oil, providing double the amount of EPA/DHA per capsule as our VL137. The fish oil is sourced from the cold, clean waters off the coast of South America. By utilizing molecular distillation, we are able to obtain a product with higher concentrations of EPA/DHA. We combine the fish oil with natural Florida orange oil to mask any unpleasant flavor associated with consuming fish oil capsules.  

Our fish oils are tested for heavy metal content and are guaranteed for potency and purity. Table 1 summarizes the comparison between our long standing EPA & DHA (VL137) and our new Concentrated Omega-3 (VL129). 

Table 1 – PRODUCT COMPARISON of VL137 vs. VL129

 Specifications

Product Name:       Concentrated Omega-3

Label Claim:           Supports Cardiovascular, Immune, and            

                                Nervous System

How Supplied:        Light yellow, 24 oblong softgel

Product Code:        VL129 

References

1. Mahan KL. Krause’s Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy. 1996. Saunders, Philadelphia.
2. Forsyth, JS et al. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infant formula and blood pressure in later childhood: follow up of a randomized controlled trial. BMJ 2003;326:953-955.
3. Simopoulos, AP. Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:560S-9S