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Studies on Fish Oil published
in 2007 have been very positive.
Children with learning and behavioural problems
104 children, aged seven to twelve
years old, with poor learning participated in a randomized,
placebo controlled, double-blinded trial. For the first 15 weeks
children were given either:
-
omega-3 and
omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (3000mg a day)
-
the above
fatty acids plus multivitamins and minerals
-
neither of
the above, but just a placebo
After 15 weeks, all the
children were given the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids,
plus a vitamin and mineral supplement.
Parents were asked to rate their
children's condition after 15 and 30 weeks. It was found that
after 30 weeks, parents rated significant behavioural
improvements in 9 out of 14 points on the Conner scale.
The treatment
effects for those taking omega-3 and omega-6 with a multivitamin
were comparable with average treatment effects of stimulant
medication such as Ritalin, according to the parents.
April 2007, published in the
Journal of the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
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Cholesterol and
Triglycerides (fats) reduced
In one study, patients with high
triglycerides (fats) and poor coronary artery health were given
4 grams of omega-3 (a combination of EPA and DHA) along with
some monounsaturated fatty acids such as that found in olive
oil. Those patients with very unhealthy
triglyceride levels (more than 500 mg/dl) reduced their
triglycerides on average by 45%, and their VLDL cholesterol by
more than 50%. (VLDL is a bad type of cholesterol,
whereas excessive triglyceride levels in the blood can also be
detrimental to cardiovascular health.) American Journal of
Health System Pharmacy March 2007.
Statin
drugs with or without omega-3
Another study followed 18,000
patients with unhealthy cholesterol levels, for five years. The
patients were randomly given either 1,800mg a day of EPA (from
fish oil) with a statin drug, or a statin drug alone.
At the end of five years, those patients
who had been given EPA had superior cardiovascular function.
There were also fewer non-fatal coronary events in the EPA
group. The Lancet March 2007
Omega-3 useful in
prevention and slowing progress of Alzheimer's
April 2007 saw the publication of
a study in the Journal of NeuroScience. A group of mice, which
were genetically predisposed to display the characteristics of
Alzheimer's Disease, were given DHA (from fish oil). It was
shown that fish oil reduced the accumulation in the brain of
amyloid and tau proteins. (These abnormal proteins may
contribute to the development of memory loss in later years). It
was concluded that DHA in fish oil may be
useful in prevention and slowing the progress of Alzheimer's
Disease.
Improved Immune Function in Infants
Sixty-four healthy Danish infants,
aged nine to twelve months of age, received either cow's milk or
infant formula alone, or with fish oil added. It was found that
the infants who received fish oil had
improved immune function. Journal Nutrition April
2007
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