Scientists figure out what makes fish oil so good for you

[n2doc]

You’ve probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids, the nutrients that make fish oil so healthy. You may even have heard of particular ones, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) or EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

But unless you’re one of the scientists who worked on a study being published in Friday’s edition of the journal Cell, you surely have no idea why omega-3 fatty acids are so good at tamping down inflammation and enhancing sensitivity to insulin. The study is rather dense, so we’ll do our best to boil it down for you.

Researchers from UC San Diego, Tethys Bioscience of West Sacramento, and Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan figured out that omega-3s stimulate an important cell signaling molecule known as GRP120. This molecule is particularly popular in fat cells. It’s also abundant in a type of white blood cells that promote inflammation. Normally, inflammation helps the immune system do its job, but when inflammation becomes chronic it can lead to problems like insulin insensitivity.


When normal mice ate a high-fat diet, they gained weight. That extra fat triggered chronic inflammation and caused the mice to have trouble responding to insulin, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes. But after having their chow supplemented with omega-3s, the fatty acids took care of the inflammation and the mice were able to respond normally to insulin once again.

more

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/health-research/la-heb-omega-threes-20100902,0,2013160.story

[HuckleB]

1. Interesting research, which may lead to a positive place.

However, the headline and much of article outlines what is wrong with science journalism today.

[hedgehog]

2. Every morning I get two fish oil capsules and so do the dogs.

The only difference is that they like to chew their capsules!

I gave fish oil to one of our other dogs, and thought that he'd become less anxious. It was only later that I read an article at the vet's confirming this observation, at least for dogs.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Vet confirmed the oil was anxiety reducing for dogs?

Sounds like just what my dog needs. He is a bit too high strung.

[hedgehog]

6. I'd double check with your vet. I was giving my dog oil because

he tended to have dry itchy skin . Maybe he relaxed because he wasn't so itchy anymore! I did read that the oil helps calm a dog, but that was one article a few years back.

It's funny, because I couldn't remember before why i started him on the fish oil.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. I found a good site listing a lot of things dogs can and cannot eat.

and yes, fish oil and anxiety is mentioned.

http://www.marvelousproducts.com/Can-I-give-my-dog-p/information-can-i-give-my-dog.htm

[Blue Meany]

4. So it's not because it reduces mercury deficiency? n/t

[safeinOhio]

5. I get the filtered reduced

mercury ones. 2 grams a day and 2 and a half grams of flaxseed oil a day. I still look old and my knees still hurt everyday after I run 3 or 4 miles.

[wuvuj]

9. Stop running?

I exercise 2Xs a week for 1/2 hour doing maybe 25 different sets of exercises with 7 lb weights. Result after 7-8 months...much stronger knees...an improved shoulder problem usually resolved by surgery....feel much stronger...better balance.

I take 4 fish oil caps/day and a lot of other vits. I look old...but not as old as you? ;-)

[eppur_se_muova]

8. reminder -- flax, hemp and chia provide omega-3s ....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=255444&mesg_id=255476

The omega-3s in fish come from algae the fish eat.