As people age, systemic inflammation can inflict degenerative effects throughout the body.1-5 A primary cause of this destructive cascade is the production of cell-signaling chemicals known as inflammatory cytokines. Along with these dangerous cytokines, imbalances of hormone-like messengers called prostaglandins and leukotrienes also contribute to inflammatory processes.6

Essential fatty acids (EFAs)

The body needs fatty acids to survive and is able to make all but two of them: linoleic acid (LA), in the omega-6 family, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by the diet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs).

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish (and fish oil) and perilla and flaxseed oils, can be part of a healthy diet. Omega-3 oils contain the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are usually lacking in the typical Western diet filled with high amounts of omega-6 fats.7 EPA and DHA can be synthesized from ALA; but EPA and DHA synthesis may be insufficient under certain conditions.

Omega-6 fatty acids are well-supplied in the diet by meat and vegetable oils. However, not all omega-6 fatty acids are of equal value. Linoleic acid (not to be confused with ALA, which is in the omega-3 family) and arachidonic acid (AA) tend to be unhealthy because they are the precursor of inflammatory eicosanoids, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), thromboxane A2, and leukotriene B4, which promote inflammation. In contrast, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant oil, is an important fatty acid that plays a beneficial role in healthy prostaglandin (PGE1) formation and pro-inflammatory mediator reduction.8

While the polyunsaturated fats known as omega-6 fatty acids are essential to life, most Americans and citizens of other Western nations consume far too many omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and not enough omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In fact, some Western diets consist of 20 parts of omega-6 to only one part of omega-3. For optimum health, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be between 1:1 and 4:1. The severe imbalance that occurs with most people contributes to the development of long-term health problems.

Studies associate the Mediterranean diet — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil, and antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs — with lowered cardiovascular risk and increased life span.9-15 Other studies support omega-3’s importance in cardiovascular health.16,17

Benefits of fish oil supplements

An abundance of scientific research substantiates the wide-ranging health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and monounsaturated fatty acids-polyphenols in olive fruit.18-25 In fact, supportive but not conclusive evidence shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.16,17,26

The Super Omega-3 formula uses a patented EPA/DHA extraction process that results in one of the purest, most stable and easiest-to-tolerate fish oil extracts in the world.

While most fish oil is distilled to decrease contaminants such as mercury and PCBs, the Pure+™ fish oil used in Super Omega-3 is produced with a patented method that purifies the oil with an intense distillation process to reduce pollutants to virtually undetectable levels. Super Omega-3 is certified to contain no detectable levels of mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other toxic metals by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS™). This product meets or exceeds IFOS™ standards for PCBs, dioxins, and other contaminants, and thus has received its highest 5-star rating.

Standardized Olive Fruit

To emulate a Mediterranean diet, Super Omega-3 provides a standardized olive fruit extract to deliver the polyphenols hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, powerful antioxidants that reduce LDL susceptibility to oxidation and counter dangerous free radicals.29-31 Olive polyphenols also help maintain normal platelet activation,32 promote healthy endothelial function9 and enhance nitric oxide (NO) release.25,33Research shows that a combination of olive oil extract and fish oil supplements helps with suppressing inflammatory cytokines better than a placebo or fish oil alone.34 Super Omega-3 provides an olive fruit extract standardized for hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein polyphenols.

Super Omega-3 is the only fish oil concentrate that provides this full-spectrum blend of synergistic nutrients for optimal effects in an easy-to-tolerate formulation.

Sesame lignans enhance in vivo effects of fish oil supplements

Scientific studies show that when fish oil is supplemented with sesame lignans, the beneficial effects are augmented. Sesame lignans inhibit an enzyme (delta-5-desaturase) that causes dietary fats to be converted into arachidonic acid, a precursor to prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4. Sesame lignans help guard against lipid peroxidation. The addition of sesame lignans to fish oil also synergistically increases hepatic fatty acid oxidation.27,28 Super Omega-3 provides standardized sesame lignans to enhance the overall benefits of this improved EPA/DHA fish oil blend.

Supplement Facts

IFOS™ certification mark is a registered trademark of Nutrasource Diagnostics, Inc. These products have been tested to the quality and purity standards of the IFOS™ program conducted at Nutrasource Diagnostics, Inc.

Dosage and Use

Caution

Those taking anticoagulant drugs like Coumadin® (warfarin) should inform their doctor that they are taking GLA, EPA, or DHA supplements, as the physician may want to adjust the dose of anticoagulant medication based on tests that measure coagulation factors such as template bleeding time.

Since GLA, EPA, and DHA interfere with blood clotting, those who suffer from any type of hemorrhagic disease related to excessive bleeding or blood vessel leakage should consult their physician before supplementing these fatty acids.

If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, use this product only under the supervision of your physician. Blood tests that measure clotting can be used to ensure these nutrients are not reducing the clotting factors in your blood to abnormal levels!

Warnings