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Omega 3 EPA Essential Nutrient for Your Family

Updated on September 19, 2011

What are EPA and DHA?

EPA is abbreviation of eicosapentaenoic acid; DHA is abbrevation of doco-sahexaenoic acid. EPA and DHA both belong to the w-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids. EPA and DHA are essential fatty acids which support a health heart, lower cholesterol, improve memory, as well as promote mental and visual development.

Why do we need to supplement EPA and DHA?

Common fishes contain minimal amount of EPA, DHA, only deep-sea fish in cold region, such as: salmon, sardines, contain very high level of EPA and DHA while other animals on land contain almost zero EPA, DHA.

The key to healthy brain cells

In actual fact, brain cells continue to grow when we are two to three years old, and gradually decrease as we grow up. According to the research, brain cells will gradually decrease by the rate of ten thousands in our twenties to thirties. Nevertheless, DHA still possess strength for activation of the remaining brain cell, to fully improve our memory and learning ability. At the First International Symposium on DHA, Professor Micheal from the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition proposed that: "On top of promote human brain activity, DHA also boost intelligence."

The human body cannot synthesize EPA and DHA, and have to consume "essential fatty acids" from food. EPA and DHA play an important role in maintaining human health, and are essential nutrients for every age group.

Who need Omega 3 supplement?

Expectant Mother

Help fetal brain development

In uterus, fetus began to accumulate DHA in the brain, of which the rate of the accumulation reached its peak during the three months before and three months after delivery, while fetus get DHA from maternal nutrient supply, after birth, infant intake come from breast milk, hence adequate intake of DHA by expectant or lactating mothers are vital to ensure that baby experience healthy brain development.

Elderly

Increase memory and improve Alzheimer's
As we age, DHA in our brain will gradually decrease, and this is likely to result in degration of brain function. Adequate DHA can improve memory. In addition, DHA also increased enzyme activity of the brain in order to provide adequate nutrition and energy for the brain to maintain good memory and concentration.

Children

Help improve eyesight
DHA is important in light stimulus transduction by retinal photoreceptor cells, as DHA can cross blood retinal barrier, this soften retinal cells, and in turn stimulate photoreceptor cell, for rapid transmission of messages to the brain, thereby effective in enhancing our eyesight.

Promote development of brain cells
In our brain cortex, DHA is a major component of nerve cells, mainly due to the fact that DHA can cross blood-brain barrier and penetrate into the brain cells, adequate DHA can enhance the development of brain cells. In addition, DHA also increased enzyme activity of the brain, in order to provide adequate nutrition and energy to the brain, and maintain good memory and concentration.

Women and Men

Maintain healthy heart
EPA can effectively reduce blood triglyceride and bad cholesterol (LDL), while boost good cholesterol. many studies have shown that EPA and DHA are conducive to maintain a healthy heart. This argument is also supported by the American Heart Association, which also concurred that EPA and DHA have many beneficial cardiovascular effects, including:

  • reduce the chance of stroke and heart attack
  • reduce blood viscosity
  • vasodilatation
  • lower blood pressure
  • reduce the chance of coronary artery blood clot (thrombosis, anti-thrombotic bios)
  • prevention of irregular heart beat
  • prevention of atherosclerosis

Promote positive mood
Finnish study found that DHA, EPA can improve depression, and prevent schizophrenia.


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