Balancing Omega Fats for Better Health

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the two main fatty acids found in fish, especially oily fish such as salmon, sardines and tuna. They belong to a family of essential nutrients known as omega-3 fatty acids.

While studies have shown that a balanced intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is health promoting, Americans tend to consume about 5 times more omega-6 fats than is recommended, mostly from common cooking oils, vegetable margarine and meats. Therefore, health experts advise a greater intake of omega-3 fats to achieve a better balance between these two omega families. Improving that balance promotes a healthier cardiovascular system. Emerging research suggests that it may benefit visual health as well.

Omega-3 Fats and Visual Wellness

EPA and DHA play a pivotal role in protecting the nerve cells and vessels in the eye’s retina 1. The omega-3 fatty acids function normally to help decrease production of damaging free radicals and fight inflammation – a process that has been implicated in declining macular health.

Over the past few years, a number of population health studies report that consuming higher levels of EPA and DHA or fish may improve the odds of retaining a healthy macula 1,2. Participants in the AREDS clinical trial with the highest intake of DHA and EPA, for example, were found to have a better chance of maintaining macular health 3. While further study is needed to confirm these initial findings, consuming more dietary omega-3 fats is recommended by leading health authorities to support cardiovascular health.

Heart Healthy Omega-3 Fats

A recent review confirms that a regular intake of omega-3 fats can help keep the heart and arteries healthy 4,5. The ways that omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular function are still being studied, but research has shown that they promote regular heart beat rhythm, help maintain healthy triglyceride levels and help slow the growth rate of plaque in blood vessels. How much omega-3 fat is recommended? The American Heart Association suggests that healthy people eat a variety of fish, preferably fatty fish, at least twice weekly. For those that do not eat coldwater fish regularly, supplemental fish oil can help fill the dietary omega-3 gap.

How is OmegaAdvance Unique?

The fish oil in OmegaAdvance is sourced from the purest wild sardine, anchovy and mackerel fished in pristine, deep waters where there are significantly less environmental impurities. This fish oil, which undergoes further purification to help eliminate mercury and other marine contaminants, has achieved verification by the US Pharmacopoeia, the most rigorous quality assurance verification.

OmegaAdvance contains vitamin E and polyphenols from standardized olive leaf extract to help protect EPA and DHA from oxidation. The polyphenols in olive leaf extract have been shown to act as antioxidants in the body 6. OmegaAdvance also contributes lutein and zeaxanthin, providing a level that nearly doubles the typical dietary intake of these nutrients. Plentiful in green leafy vegetables, lutein and zeaxanthin work to filter out blue light that can be damaging to the eye’s retina 7. The absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin is enhanced by the fatty acids in OmegaAdvance.

OmegaAdvance is a perfect add-on to other ScienceBased Health formulations and provides the best benefit when incorporated into an overall healthy lifestyle.