Omega-3 fatty acids Diverse possibilities of combination
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are true all-rounders in the service of our health. Because they are components of every single cell, they influence all functions of our body. The anti-inflammatory messenger substances that are produced from them container also reach every tissue via the bloodstream. For special objectives such as skin care or special phases in life such as pregnancy, omega-3 fatty acids container be sensibly combined with other active ingredients. This optimizes the body's supply and the desired effect container be enhanced by the different modes of action of the substances. Another important aspect is that due to the new EU-wide regulation of health-related advertising through the Health Claims Regulation, a clever combination of ingredients also has advantages in consumer communication and product marketing.
Omega-3 fatty acids: skin care and anti-aging effect
Even in our largest organ, the skin, the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA an important role. Due to their anti-inflammatory effect, they help with external symptoms such as acne[1]In the case of neurodermatitis, omega-3 fatty acids in combination with omega-6 fatty acids are recommended to create a balance in the inflammatory process.[2] In addition to these visible inflammations, there are also hidden, slow inflammatory reactions. These processes are part of inflammatory aging, also known as inflammaging. Researchers assume that inflammaging is an essential part of the human aging process. As we get older, we become increasingly less able to stop inflammatory processes.[3] The skin is also affected by this and support from anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids container also slow down its aging. In addition, fats in the skin have two additional functions. A higher fat content of the skin makes it thicker and less wrinkled and the natural, fine film of fat on the surface prevents the skin from losing too much moisture and its soft skin feel. For a skin product, the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA combined with vitamin A Vitamin A binds to special receptors that influence cell division so that it does not happen too slowly or too quickly.[4] The outer layers of the skin in particular are constantly renewed. Perfect cell division is therefore very important for skin renewal. Vitamin A also enables the activation of genes that form enzymes, structural proteins and other building blocks of our skin epithelial cells.[5] The crucial importance of vitamin A for the skin container also be seen in the fact that dry skin occurs as a symptom of a vitamin A deficiency.[6] Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA and vitamin A have a positive effect on the health and appearance of the skin in various ways, and the effect is greater when combined than with the individual substances alone. Another great advantage of combining omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A is that the product container be advertised with a health claim: "Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin."
Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Fortunately, folic acid supplementation during the family planning period and during pregnancy has now become a matter of course, because a good supply of folic acid reduces the risk of the baby suffering from one of the most common serious birth defects, neural tube defects. In addition, new studies show that sufficient folic acid levels in the mother also significontainertly reduce the risk of ADHD in the child.[7] Food supplements containing folic acid have therefore rightly earned their place in women's diets. However, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are often neglected. The supply of these essential nutrients is considered to be secured if you eat fatty sea fish such as mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna and anchovy once or twice a week.[8] People living in inland Europe rarely have a diet rich in fish. This is why measurements of the Omega-3 Index show that, for example, the values in Germany and Spain are just over 7%, while the ideal range for the Omega-3 Index is set at between 8-11%.[9] However, women have a significontainertly increased need for EPA and DHA during the sensitive phase of pregnancy and breastfeeding, because the baby needs these fatty acids to build its brain, eyes and many other tissues. It is particularly important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to take the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as a food supplement. Therefore, a Combination product of folic acid and EPA and DHA which container of course be individually supplemented with other vitamins and minerals. The following health claims container be used to promote the product, including 200 mg DHA and the usual recommendation for pregnant women of 550 μg folic acid per day:
- “Maternal intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contributes to normal eye development in the fetus and breastfed infant.”
- “Maternal intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contributes to normal brain development in the fetus and breastfed infant.”
- “Folate contributes to the growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy”
- “Folate has a function in cell division”
Omega-3 fatty acids and depression
Depression is very common throughout Europe. Studies estimate that 5-10% of the population suffer from it. It container have a variety of causes and forms and therapy container also include a variety of elements. In addition to drug treatment, there is psychotherapy, but exercise and a healthy diet also have a strong positive effect on depression. The most common are Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids primarily influence the dopamine balance, which is responsible for our motivation.[10,11] People with low EPA and DHA levels have a higher risk of developing depression. But even those who are already ill container benefit from supplementing their diet with marine omega-3 fatty acids. Numerous studies have shown that DHA and EPA container reduce the symptoms of depression and related illnesses.[12]
Some vitamins and minerals are also important for the smooth functioning of the brain. Thiamine, niacin, biotin and vitamins B12, B6 and C container be combined with omega-3 fatty acids and provide the appropriate health claim "Vitamin ... contributes to normal psychological function". Many people are prone to depression, especially in winter. At the same time, many people have particularly low vitamin D levels, especially in winter. Vitamin D container be produced by the body itself when sunlight hits the skin. In the dark and cold season in particular, we spend fewer hours outside and are dressed warmly in thick clothing. This means that only a small amount of light container reach the skin and the vitamin D level, which is already too low in almost the entire European population, drops even further.[13] However, there is a connection between vitamin D deficiency and depression.[14] That's why omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D are a good combination, especially in winter, as they container close two common gaps in your diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids and heart health and cholesterol levels
Health problems with the heart and circulatory system are widespread in our society as lifestyle diseases. It is known that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA container protect us from them. This happens via several mechanisms. EPA and DHA effectively lower blood lipid levels and slow the development of atherosclerosis, a main cause of heart attacks and strokes. Many people only become aware of their risk of atherosclerosis when they have an increased LDL cholesterol level. High cholesterol levels are also associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, which in turn is a consequence of atherosclerosis in most cases. Because of this connection between cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis and heart health, a combination of ingredients that combines these aspects in one product is also suitable for food supplements. A useful addition to the marine omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA is the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). This also provides the health claim that is important for communication to consumers: “ALA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels,” while the health claim for marine omega-3 fatty acids container be used to directly refer to heart health: “EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function.”
Q10 for active people on the move
Sport and any other physical activity puts demands on the body. On the one hand, this leads to muscles, blood vessels and nerve cells becoming stronger and regenerating, but on the other hand, the exertion also leaves traces in the tissue in the form of tiny muscle injuries, small inflammations and increased levels of free radicals caused by the greater oxygen consumption. Therefore, it is not a given that we will be able to perform well and emerge from training strengthened after a short recovery period. Our cells need the right equipment for this. Because Omega-3 fatty acids As important building blocks of every cell, they also have a strong influence on our performance. Their role has been investigated in numerous studies on athletes and, as expected, the most diverse positive effects on health, performance and regeneration have been demonstrated: heart rate, oxygen utilization, fat breakdown, lung function and regeneration speed were significontainertly improved by long-term intake of EPA and DHA.[15]
A good combination of substances for athletes and active people are omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10. Our body's energy production from food and oxygen occurs almost exclusively through the process of oxidative phosphorylation, in which Q10 plays a key role. This is why Q10 is particularly concentrated in organs with high energy requirements such as the heart, liver and lungs. The British Peter Dennis Mitchell received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1978 for research into the body's energy supply. Today we know that Q10 container be produced by the body itself. At least twelve different genes are involved in its synthesis. Any defect in one of these synthesis stages container impair the body's supply of Q10 and thus reduce the energy available to us. In addition, two of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world inhibit the synthesis of Q10, statins to lower cholesterol and beta-blockers to lower blood pressure. However, people who need these drugs should lead a more active lifestyle. For these reasons, supplementation with Q10 is often recommended. The combination with omega-3 fatty acids also offers the advantage of increasing the bioavailability of Q10. This means that the poorly water-soluble Q10 container be better absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream and utilized by the body. Studies have examined the effects of Q10 intake on athletes and found an improvement in performance.[16], a reduction in signs of small muscle injuries[17] and a lower level of inflammation[18] The statement “EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function” container be used as a health claim, because the heart is particularly important as our engine, especially for those who do sports.
Omega-3 fatty acids and eye health
The eye is a complex organ in which many different tissues work together. The conversion of the light that hits our eyes into electrical signals that are put together in our brain to form an image
takes place in the retina. The retina has the highest DHA content of all tissues in the human body. DHA contributes to signal conversion, serves as a structural building block and at the same time protects the delicate photoreceptor cells of the retina. DHA has been shown to protect cells in the eye from apoptosis (programmed cell death), inflammatory processes and oxidative damage caused by high-energy light and free radicals.[19, 20] The EFSA has also recognized the role of DHA in vision and approved a health claim that container be used to advertise DHA-rich products: “DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.” DHA also reduces the formation of new, pathogenic capillaries, which play a role in age-related macular degeneration in particular.[21] This disease, known as AMD for short, has been the subject of particularly intensive research. The AREDS 2 study demonstrated the importance of lutein and zeaxanthin in AMD, although the test conditions for omega-3 fatty acids were not ideal.[22] In the LUTEGA study at the University of Leipzig, which was carried out with EPAX 1050 TG, the effectiveness of DHA/EPA in age-related macular degeneration was repeatedly demonstrated using a new measurement method.[23] Lutein and zeaxanthin are concentrated primarily in the point in the eye that allows for the sharpest vision in the center of our field of vision. The two substances are so highly concentrated that the entire area is colored yellow and is even named accordingly in German and Latin: yellow spot or macula lutea. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two highly potent antioxidants that work synergistically with DHA and effectively protect the sensitive photoreceptor cells of the retina. To maintain this protection, a combination product of DHA, zeaxanthin and lutein is ideal as a food supplement.
author
Dr. Susanne Kühnl
is Projects and Development Manager at Goerlich Pharma GmbH. She studied food chemistry at the Technical University of Munich and completed her doctorate at the University of Innsbruck on new anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory natural substances.
Technical literature / references:
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[2] C. Allmacher, G. Rauch-Petz: Combination with gamma-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D – The dietary treatment of atopic dermatitis (2014) SKIN Dermatology Allergology Cosmetology, Issue 3, Volume XXV, ISSN 0938-2216
[3] C. Franceschi, M. Bonafe, S. Valensin, F. Olivieri, M. de Luca, E. Ottaviani, G. de Benedictis: Inflammaging: An Evolutionary Perspective on Immunosenescence (2000) Ann NY Acad Sci 908, 244-254
[4] HK Biesalski, P. Fürst, H. Kasper, R. Kluthe, W. Pölert, C. Puchstein, HB Stählin: Nutritional Medicine (1995) Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart
[5] Institute of Medicine (IoM): Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium and zinc 2001 National Academy Press, Washington DC
[6] AC Ross: Vitamin A - Physiology 2005 In: Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition. Caballero B, Allen L, Prentice A (eds.) Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego
[7] W. Schlotz, A. Jones, DI Phillips, CR Gale, SM Robinson, KM Godfrey: Lower maternal folate status In early pregnancy is associated with childhood hyperactivity and peer problems in offspring 2010 J Child Psychol Psychiatry 51(5), 594-602
[8] Eat and drink healthily according to the 10 rules of the German Nutrition Society: http://www.dge.de/pdf/10-Regeln-der-DGE.pdf
[9] C. von Schacky, P. Calder, A. Hahn, WS Harris, JP Schuchardt: Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular diseases (2012) UNI-MED Verlag AG, Bremen, page 12
[10] Sublette ME, Galfalvy HC, Hibblen JR, Keilp JG, Malone KM, Oquendo MA, Mann JJ: Polyunsaturated fatty acid associations with dopaminergic indices in major depressive disorder (2013) Int J Neuropsychopharmacol (3),1-9
[11] JD Salamone, M. Correa: The Mysterious Motivational Functions of Mesolimbic Dopamine (2012) Neuron 76(3), 470-485
[12] RK McNamara, JR Strawn: Role of Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Psychiatric Practice (2013) Pharma Nutrition 1(2), 41-49
[13] International Osteoporosis Foundation – Vitamin D status around the world: http://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-and-statistics/vitamin-dstudies-map
[14] C. Annweiler, R. Rastmanesh, S. Richard-Devantoy, O. Beauchet: The role of vitamin D in depression: from a curious idea to a therapeutic option (2013) J Clin Psychiatry 74(11), 1121-1122
[15] Information sheet Marine-source Omega-3 for Sports Nutrition © EPAX AS 2011
[16] T. Ylikoski, J. Piirainen, O. Hanninen, J Penttinen: The effect of coenzyme Q10 on the exercise performance of cross-country skiers (1997) Mol Aspects Med 18,283-290
[17] M. Kon, K. Tanabe, T. Akimoto, F. Kimura, Y. Tanimura, K. Shimizu, T. Okamoto, I. Kono: Reducing exercise-induced muscular injury in kendo athletes with supplementation of coenzyme Q10 2008 Br J Nutr , 100(4), 903-909
[18] Díaz-Castro, R. Guisado, N. Kajarabille, C. García, IM Guisado, C. de Teresa, JJ Ochoa: Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation ameliorates inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise (2012) Eur J Nutr 51 (7), 791-799
[19] NP Rotstein, LE Politi, OL German, R Girotti: Protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of retina photoreceptors (2003) Invest Ophtalmol Visual Sci 44(5), 2252-2259
[20] G. Querques, F. Raimondo, E. H Souied: Retina and omega-3 (2011) J Nutr Metab 748361
[21] R. Yanai, L. Mulki, E. Hasegawa, K. Takeuchi, H. Sweigard, J. Suzuki, P. Gaissert, DG Vavvas, K.-H. Sonoda, M. Rothe, W.-H. Schunck, JW Miller, KM Connor: Cytochrome P450-generated metabolites derived from ω-3 fatty acids attenuate neovascularization (2014) PNAS 111(26), 9603–9608
[22] Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group: Lutein + zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids for age-related macular degeneration: the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) randomized clinical trial (2013) JAMA 310(2), 208
[23] Dawczynski, S. Jentsch, D. Schweitzer, M. Hammer. GE Lang J. Strobel: Long term effects of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3-LCPUFAs supplementation on optical density of macular pigment in AMD patients: the LUTEGA study (2013) Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251(12), 2711-2723