Top Antiaging Secret: Omega 3s

March 5, 2010
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

Woman Taking PillsThe right fats can keep you happy and healthy at any age!

Want to live a long, productive life? You need to slow the destruction of telomeres (protective structures on the end of chromosomes) that experts say control the body’s biological clock.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that increasing your dietary intake of omega 3-rich fats will do just that. In addition, Marine-based omega 3s can improve lung function during and after exercise, which (in itself) is a terrific way to fighting aging. And much more!

“Memory loss is a prominent health concern,” write researchers in a recent issue of Current Alzheimer Research, “second only to heart disease.” Numerous studies show that DHA in fish and algae-based oils protect memory while raising HDL (good) cholesterol and lowering resting heart rates and triglyceride levels.

You don’t need to grow old, though, to enjoy these brain benefits. Matthew Muldoon, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh, says that DHA in omega 3s protects memory throughout human life span “and a deficiency of omega 3s may have implications for neuropsychiatric disorders.”

Hormonal changes during and following pregnancy can make women depressed—just when they ought be radiantly happy. Recent research in the journal Pharmacology finds that omega 3 fats impact serotonin production, fighting depression. Unlike pharmaceutical antidepressants, omega 3 fats are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding—and even give baby a little cognitive boost too!

Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:

It certainly looks like the omega 3s are the fats that really keep on giving!

For decades I’ve written about the critical need for essential fats, and Fat Flush for Life seasonal programs include omega 3s from fish and fish oil, as well as chia and flax seeds. If you’re concerned about mercury and other toxins in fish, then opt for chia, flax seed oil, and/or ground flax seeds in foods—especially smoothies.

Omega 3  fats also protect vision, according to the Blue Mountain Eye Study, so enjoy a handful of omega 3 rich walnuts every day. And a recent review of human studies shows that omega 3 fats improve liver health and function, while increasing insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Anyone with chronic kidney disease, which ups the risk for heart disease, may see improvements in blood pressure and heart rate after taking omega 3 fats. No wonder that Harvard University researchers list deficiency in these oils as the sixth biggest killer in the United States.

Don’t Forget Omega 6s
I believe for optimal nutrition, youthful skin, and heart protection, you also need “the good” omega 6s too!

Avoid supermarket oils, however, which typically use the wrong kind of omega 6s in the form of processed and refined corn oil. I like the biologically active omega 6s, found in GLA-90 (gamma linolenic acid), which is incredibly popular with Fat Flushers.  GLA reduces inflammation, morning stiffness, and keeps skin moist and fresh, even during weight loss. GLA-90 is also great for activating brown fat for longer lasting weight control.

Sources
Fat Flush for Life
Smoothie Shakedown
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20145438
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20085953
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20099994
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20088810
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20079384
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19433717

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Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

14 Comments

  1. Fatima

    Thank you Dr. Ann Louis for your informative and helpful health blogs!

    Your advice please on the proper ratio between Omega 3 and 6 (GLA)? I have below normal levels of omega 3, but normal range for omega 6 (GLA) even though my skin/hair are extremely dry!.

    I tried taking GLA 1000mg once a day, but it made me sweat too much at night! Once I stop taking it no sweating, and when restarted the sweating comes back!.
    Thanks again for your help.

    Reply
  2. administrator

    Fatima: Thank you for your post. The most appropriate ratio of 3:6s range from 1: 1 to 1:4 in favor of Omega 3’s. I have the 360 mg of GLA in the form of black currant seed oil seems to work well for most people. Its the reason I created GLA-90 and have been using it in the Fat flush Kits all these years. Less sometimes can be more 🙂 Also the form of the GLA may be key. Again, the black currant seed oil seems to work best because it is balanced between the Omega 3’s and 6’s – unlike borage or evening primronse oil!

    Reply
  3. Lora

    Isn’t Golden Primrose good for the Omega’s? (3’s or 6’s?)

    Reply
  4. Fatima

    I appreciate your clarification. I forgot to mention that it was the Black current seed oil that i have used. I will keep on trying :).

    Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Ann Louise Gittleman

    Golden Primrose is an excellent source of GLA. We have found, however, with the majority of my followers black currant seed oil works the best. Some women, over the years, have reported breakthrough bleeding with EPO.

    Reply
  6. Dorothy

    Annalouise
    How much GLA,do i take for dry skin,an weightloss,ando you know ofa good skin care line.
    Dorothy

    Reply
  7. Joel

    Dorothy, I can answer the GLA question for you. She recommends 350-400 mg daily of GLA, taken with food, ideally split between a couple meals.

    Reply
  8. Trish

    Hi. Can we take the GLA and CLA constantly/forever and ever? Thank you.

    Reply
  9. Joel

    Trish, CLA and GLA are both very healthy fatty acids, so yes, you can take them forever.

    Reply
  10. Dorothy

    annalouise What vit. would you sugest for breast cancer,is omeg’s good an blueberries Dorothy

    Reply
  11. liz

    Omegas are good, especially the ones found in black current seed oil and flaxseed oil, both of which Dr. Ann Louise recommends in the Fat Flush Plan . A high fiber diet, or fiber supplement is also helpful.

    Be sure you have enough Iodine. A lack of Iodine can help cause breast cancer, from what I have read. Dr. Ann Louise talks about a test you can take to see what your Iodine level is, which is available at unikeyhealth.com.

    Reply
  12. Theresa

    I’ve read all about the benefits of fish or marine based Omega 3 oils, but I have an allergy to fish and don’t really want to take a chance with these sources. The allergy is intermittent, and if I do try to eat fish once in a while, in many cases nothing will happen…however, when I do get a reaction, I feel as if my throat is closing, and I find it difficult to breathe. For me, this is like playing Russian roulette, so I’ve sworn off fish in any form, which is unfortunate due to the wonderful health benefits. I do try to include the other Omega 3’s like flax and walnuts, but I still feel I am missing the most beneficial source because of this allergy.

    Reply
  13. Joel

    Theresa- Is Krill Oil also a problem? Many people do wonderful on just flax seed oil. Grass-fed beef and eggs from free-range chinkens are also great sources for omega-3’s.

    Reply
  14. ncarreon

    I ate fish 3x a week. I like fruits and vegetables but find it very hard to consume in everyday basis. I am trying to cut my meat consumption because I do not feel there is advantage I am getting from eating meat. Is there any other sources of Omega 3 other than fish?

    Reply

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