Although the body can convert alpha-linolenic acid, a short-chain omega-3 fatty acid, from flaxseed oil, it is much more efficient to get EPA and DHA from fish oils. Furthermore, there is evidence that many people, particularly many men, have a difficult time converting alpha-linolenic acid to EPA and DHA. Also, the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, but not alpha-linolenic acid the chief component of flaxseed oil, are also transformed into regulatory compounds known as prostaglandins. These compounds carry out many important tasks in the body. They regulate inflammation, pain, and swelling; they play a role in maintaining blood pressure; and they regulate heart, digestive, and kidney function. Prostaglandins also participate in the response to allergies, help control transmission of signals along the nerves, and help regulate the production of steroids and other hormones. Through their effects on prostaglandins and related compounds, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids can mediate many physiological processes making them useful in virtually every disease state as well.

Michael T. Murray has this to say:
My opinion on the superiority of longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids over alpha-linolenic acid is not new. I have always held that if manufacturers could solve some of the problems with commercial sources of EPA and DHA that I would wholeheartedly recommend them over flaxseed oil. The reason that I favored flaxseed oil over fish oils in some of my books (e.g., Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine) was because at the time the books were written there were major problems with fish oil supplements. However, a new development has changed my perspective.

New Developments
The ability to produce a highly concentrated form of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that is free from lipid peroxides, heavy metals, environmental contaminants, and other harmful compounds. These "pharmaceutical grade" marine lipid concentrates are so superior to earlier fish oil products that they are literally revolutionizing nutritional medicine. The key features of this product over other fish oil products include:

• More than twice the level of EPA and DHA per capsule than most brands.
• Each capsule provides 600 mg of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (400 mg EPA/200 mg DHA)
• Quality control steps to insure the product is free from lipid peroxides, heavy metals, environmental contaminants, and other harmful compounds.
• Ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to arachidonic acid > 50:1
• Contains the optimal amount of natural vitamin E as a preservative.

Fish oil, mercury, and heart disease
Two highly publicized studies in 2002 demonstrated quite conclusively that fish consumption can reduce heart disease. The first article, published in the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) showed that there was a clear relationship between dietary intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids and the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease - the higher the omega-3 fatty acid intake, the lower the likelihood of coronary heart disease. This relationship was even stronger for coronary deaths. The second article, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at omega-3 fatty acid levels in blood as opposed to diet. The investigators found a striking relationship between the blood level of omega-3 fatty acids present and the follow-up likelihood of dying from coronary heart disease.

The Latest Study
While fish oils may protect against heart disease, the latest study raises an important question - Is the benefit of eating fish counteracted by a higher intake of mercury? Mercury has been known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Because fish intake is a major source of exposure to mercury, the mercury content of fish may counteract the beneficial effects of its n-3 fatty acids. Results from another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine show that while higher body levels of fish oils were associated with a decreased risk for heart attacks, the higher the body mercury level the greater risk of a heart attack. Researchers concluded that the high mercury content of fish may diminish the protective effect of fish intake against heart disease.

The Solution
Using a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement is the perfect solution to people wanting the health benefits of fish oils without the mercury and other contaminants found in fish. It is estimated that the use of fish oil supplements may reduce overall cardiovascular mortality by as much as 45%. This effect is not related to a change in blood cholesterol levels. The favourable effect is seen very rapidly, usually by three months into the study. In contrast, cholesterol-lowering drugs do not usually show benefit until after a year or more of therapy. As compared to drug therapy, omega-3 fatty acids provide remarkable benefits, are entirely safe, and are inexpensive.

Dr Barry Sears Recommends
For general health, take 200 to 400 mg of EPA and 100 to 200 mg of DHA daily (this is found in a 1000mg softgel of pharmaceutical grade fish oil). It is best to take the supplements at the beginning of the meal. For therapeutic indications the dosage is to triple this dosage.

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