Research

The Omega-3 EPA/DHA essential fatty acids in Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils are natural substances your body needs to establish and maintain optimum digestion and overall well being. As the body cannot produce these essential fats on its own, it is very important that they are acquired through a healthy daily diet. Because the typical American diet often is severely deficient in these vital oils, supplementation with a natural fish oil formula is an ideal source for obtaining the health-promoting benefits of Omega-3. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are found primarily in smaller, cold-water fish. In studies, both have been proven to enhance digestion and help improve your overall health.

Extensive research has been conducted with regard to the overwhelming health benefits of Omega-3 EPA/DHA, including:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids appear to be important in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Those with higher levels of DHA in the blood had a 47% reduction in the risk of developing dementia. Also, another study found that dietary consumption of Omega-3s and weekly fish consumption may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.1

ADD/ADHD
Children with ADD/ADHD have been found to have lower than normal levels of Omega-3 EPA/DHA in their red blood cell membranes.2

Arthritis/Inflammatory Conditions
The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 from fish help reduce stiffness in joints and help relieve joint and muscle pain.3, 18

Cancer
Growing research indicates that supplementation with Omega-3 may help reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast, colon, and prostate cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this.4

Cholesterol
Omega-3s promote healthy cholesterol levels in the body by helping to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels.5

Crohn's disease
Several studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of Omega-3 on inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease when added to standard therapy.6

Depression/Mental Health
A diet rich in Omega-3s, particularly EPA, has been shown to help improve mood.7

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 may help relieve the pain and inflammation of dysmenorrhea.8

Eye Health
Recent studies have linked fish oil supplementation to a decrease in age-related eye problems. The human retina contains high concentrations of DHA.9

Fat Metabolism
In a recent study, women taking a fish oil supplement for two months experienced lowered fat mass and reduced subcutaneous adipocyte (fat storage cell) diameter.10

Healthy Skin
Some people with skin conditions such as eczema have shown improvement with Omega-3 supplementation.11

Heart Health
A diet rich in Omega-3s supports healthy cardiovascular function and may help reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Studies show that Omega-3s promote healthy blood sugar levels; help lower blood pressure; and help reduce blood clotting and arterial plaque buildup.12

High Blood Pressure
Clinical research reveals reductions in blood pressure with the intake of Omega-3.13

Hypertriglyceridemia (high blood triglyceride levels)
EPA/DHA from fish oils help lower blood triglyceride levels, with effects at doses as low as 2 grams of Omega-3 daily.14

Immunity Support
Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to exert beneficial effects on immune responses and immune cell composition and function in healthy humans.15

Impaired Digestion
Regular Omega-3 supplementation helps to soothe and lubricate the bowel, easing elimination and supporting overall digestive health.16

Infant Brain/Eye Development
Studies show that DHA helps secure the connections between brain cells, especially in utero, when pregnant women can increase their babies' IQs by as many as six points. Several studies have shown beneficial effects of DHA on development of vision in preterm infants.17

Inflammatory Conditions
EPA/DHA have been called an “internal ice pack” as they spur our bodies to produce inflammation-lowering substances resulting in less inflammation, especially allergic inflammation. Emerging research indicates that this powerful ability to ease 'silent inflammation' is one of the ways Omega-3s may help prevent a number of ailments.18, 3

REFERENCES

1. Morris, MC et al. Consumption of Fish and n-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Incident Alzheimer Disease. Arch Neurol. 2003 Jul;60(7):923-4. Schaeffer EJ et al. Plasma Phosphatidylcholine Docosahexaenoic Acid Content and Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease. Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1545-1550.

2. Stevens L, Zentall S, Deck J et al. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nut 1995; 62:761-768. Arnold LE, Kleykamp D, Votolato N, Gibson RA, Horrocks L. Potential link between dietary intake of fatty acid and behavior: pilot exploration of serum lipids in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 1994;4(3):171-182. Antalis CJ et al. Omega-3 fatty acid status in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2006 Oct-Nov;75(4-5):299-308. Epub 2006 Sep 8.

3. Fortin PR, Lew RA, Liang MH, et al. Validation of a meta-analysis: the effects of fish oil in rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Epidemiol 1995;48(11):1379-1390.

4. Augustsson K, Michaud DS, Rimm EB, et al. A prospective study of intake of fish & marine fatty acids & prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2003;12(1):64-67. Rose DP, Connolly JM. Omega-3 fatty acids as cancer chemopreventive agents. Pharmacol Ther 1999;83(3):217-244. de Deckere EA. Possible beneficial effect of fish and fish omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast and colorectal cancer. Eur J Cancer Prev 1999;8(3):213-221. Caygill CP, Hill MJ. Fish, omega-3 fatty acids and human colorectal and breast cancer mortality. Eur J Cancer Prev 1995;4(4):329-332. Norrish AE, Skeaff CM, Arribas GL, et al. Prostate cancer risk and consumption of fish oils: a dietary biomarker- based case-control study. Br J Cancer 1999;81(7):1238-1242. Klein V, Chajes V, Germain E, et al. Low ALA content of adipose breast tissue is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Eur J Cancer 2000;36(3):335-340. Terry P, Lichtenstein P, Feychting M, et al. Fatty fish consumption and risk of prostate cancer. Lancet 2001;357(9270):1764-1766. Mehrotra B, Ronquillo J. Dietary supplementation in hem/onc outpatients at a tertiary care hospital. American Society of Clinical Oncology 38th Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, May 18-21, 2002. 1.

5. Davidson MH, Maki KC, Kalkowski J, Schaefer EJ, Torri SA, Drennan KB. Effects of DHA on serum lipoproteins in patients with combined hyperlipidemia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 1997;16:3:236-243. Von Schacky C. A review of omega-3 ethyl esters for cardiovascular prevention and treatment of increased blood triglyceride levels. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2006;2(3):251-62.

6. MacDonald A. Omega-3 fatty acids as adjunctive therapy in Crohns disease. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2006 Jul-Aug;29(4):295-301; quiz 302-3. Belluzzi A, Brignolia C, Campieri M, Pera A, Boschi S, Miglioli M. Effect of an enteric-coated fish-oil preparation on relapses in Crohn's disease. New Engl J Med. 1996;334(24):1558-1560.

7. Peet M et al. A Dose-Ranging Study of the Effects of Ethyl-Eicosapentaenoate in Patients With Ongoing Depression Despite Apparently Adequate Treatment With Standard Drugs. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:913-919. Ross BM et al. Omega-3 fatty acids as treatments for mental illness: which disorder and which fatty acid? Lipids Health Dis. 2007 Sep 18;6:21.

8. Deutch B. Menstrual pain in Danish women correlated with low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1995;49(7):508-516.

9. Cho E, Hung S, Willet WC, Spiegelman D, Rimm EB, Seddon JM, et al. Prospective study of dietary fat and the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(2):209-218. SanGiovanni JP et al. The relationship of dietary omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake with incident age-related macular degeneration: AREDS report no. 23. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Sep;126(9):1274-9.

10. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition December 2007, Volume 86, 1670-1679. Hill AM, et al. Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85:1267-1274.

11. Boelsma E, Hendriks HF. Roza L. Nutritional skin care: health effects of micronutrients and fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(5):853-864. Danno K, Sugie N. Combination therapy with low-dose etretinate and EPA for psoriasis vulgaris. J Dermatol. 1998;25:703-705.

12. Albert CM, Hennekens CH, O'Donnell CJ, et al. Fish consumption and risk of sudden cardiac death. JAMA. 1998;279(1):23-28. Angerer P, von Schacky C. omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the cardiovascular system. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2000;11(1):57-63. Balk EM, Lichtenstein AH, Chung M et al. Effects of omega-3 on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2006 Nov;189(1):19-30. Fatty fish consumption and ischemic heart disease mortality in older adults: The cardiovascular heart study. American Heart Association's 41st annual conference on cardiovascular disease epidemiology and prevention. AHA. 2001. von Schacky C, Angere P, Kothny W, Theisen K, Mudra H. The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:554-562.

13. Morris MC, Sacks F, Rosner B. Does fish oil lower blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled trials. Circulation. 1993;88:523-533. Andreassen AK, Hartmann A, Offstad J, Geiran O, Kvernebo K, Simonsen S. Hypertension prophylaxis with omega-3 fatty acids in heart transplant recipients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;29:1324-1331. Mori TA, Bao, DQ, Burke V, et al. Dietary fish as a major component of a weight-loss diet: effect on serum lipids, glucose, and insulin metabolism in overweight hypertensive subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70:817-825.

14. Lewis A, et al. Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia with omega-3 fatty acids: a systematic review. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 2004; 16:384-95 Balk EM, Lichtenstein AH, Chung M et al. Effects of omega-3 on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2006 Nov;189(1):19-30. Bays H. Rationale for prescription omega-3-acid ethyl ester therapy for hypertriglyceridemia: a primer for clinicians. Drugs Today (Barc). 2008 Mar;44(3):205-46.

15. Healy DA, et al: Effect of low-to-moderate amounts of dietary fish oil in nuetrophil lipid composition and function. Lipids 35 : 763-768. Kew S, et al. Effects of oils rich in EPA/DHA on immune cell composition and function in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79:674-81.

16. Teitelbaum JE et al. Review: the role of omega 3 fatty acids in intestinal inflammation. J Nutr Biochem. 2001 Jan;12(1):21-32.

17. Lauritzen L, et al. Maternal fish oil supplementation in lactation and growth during the first 2.5 years of life. Pediatr Res 2005; 58:235-42. Judge MP, et al. Maternal consumption of a DHA-containing functional food during pregnancy: benefit for infant performance on problem-solving but not on recognition memory tasks at age 9 mo. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85:1572-1577. Lauritzen L et al. Maternal fish oil supplementation in lactation and growth during the first 2.5 years of life. Pediatr Res. 2005 Aug;58(2):235-42. Epub 2005 Jul 8. Nettleton JA et al. Are n-3 fatty acids essential nutrients for fetal and infant development? J Am Diet Assoc. 1993 Jan;93(1):58-64.

18. Lopez-Garcia E, et al. Consumption of omega-3 is related to Plasma Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Activation in Women. J Nutr 2004; 134:1806-1811. Goldberg RJ, Katz J. A meta-analysis of the analgesic effects of omega-3 supplementation for inflammatory joint pain. Pain. 2007 Feb 28.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.