Omega-3 fatty acids fight heart disease, depression, Alzheimer's, ADD, ADHD and bi-polar disorder

Omega oils are in the news this week.

An imbalance of Omega 3's and 6's has been linked to heart disease, depression and many other diseases, according to a study published in the March 30, 2007 issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. Americans eat too many omega-6 foods and not enough omega-3 foods. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in refined vegetable oils and foods with these oils and omega 3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are found in foods such as oily fish, flax seed oil and walnuts. Source: Foodconsumer.org.

DHA, a type of omega-6 fatty acid, may stop the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, said their finding suggests that a diet rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — found in fish, eggs, organ meats, micro-algae, fortified foods and food supplements — may help prevent the development of Alzheimer's as people age. Source: Foodconsumer.org.

A new study by researchers at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital shows that a specially formulated high EPA Omega-3 fatty acid supplement should be the first-line treatment for children with ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder and other educational and behavioral problems. The OmegaBrite™ supplement of Omega-3 fatty acids was tested for effectiveness and safety on 20 boys and girls with bipolar disorder, 6 to 17 years old, over an eight-week period. Half of these participants experienced a rapid 30 percent reduction in symptoms with no side effects.

"Results from this prospective, open study of monotherapy with Omega-3 fatty acids in the over-the-counter product OmegaBrite suggest that manic symptoms can be rapidly reduced in youths with BPD with a safe and well-tolerated nutritional supplement,” concluded the study authored by Dr. Janet Wozniak. The Massachusetts General study, funded by a Stanley Foundation grant, was reported in European Neuropsychopharmacology in February 2007. Source: Foodconsumer.org.

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Vitamin pills prevent low birth weight

A recent study of over 8,000 Tanzanian women concluded that multi-vitamins can reduce the chances of having a baby of low birth weight, Reuters reported.

"In light of these findings, we recommend that multivitamins be considered for all pregnant women in developing countries, regardless of their HIV status," Wafaie Fawzi, of of Harvard University's School of Public Health, said in a statement.

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