Oil for Life to Balance omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ... - Oil4Life

Isoprostanes are prostaglandin-like compounds formed in vivo from free radical-catalyzed
peroxidation of primarily arachidonic acid (AA) without the action of cyclooxygenase
(COX) enzyme. These nonclassical eicosanoids possess potent biological activity as
inflammatory mediators that augment the perception of pain. These compounds are accurate
markers of lipid peroxidation in the body. The main isoprostanes (endocannabinoids,
endogenous cannabis-like substances) are small molecules that bind to a family of G-protein
coupled receptors that are densely distributed in areas of the brain related to motor control,
cognition, emotional responses, motivated behaviour and homeostasis. Outside of the brain,
the endocannabinoid system is one of the crucial modulators of the autonomic nervous
system, the immune system and microcirculation.
During pregnancy, there is a faster turnover of PUFA from fast storage that may modify the
profile of erythrocyte cell membrane fatty acids. Thus, it is suggested that omega-3 PUFA
intake during pregnancy should be increased in the last trimester. Menstrual pain or
dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological complaint among female adolescents and
young women. The high intake of omega-6 fatty acids in the western diet is reflected in the
cell membrane phospholipids. Due to progesterone withdrawal before menstruation omega-6
fatty acids, in particular arachidonic acid, are released, and a cascade of prostaglandins and
leukotrienes is initiated in the uterus. The inflammatory response mediated by these
eicosanoids produces both cramps and systemic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,
bloating and headaches, including ischemia, pain and systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhoea.
EPA and DHA compete with arachidonic acid for the production of prostaglandins and
leukotrienes through the incorporation into cell membrane phospholipids, and through
competition at the prostaglandin synthesis level. Long chain omega-3 can also inhibit
arachidonic acid formation at the level of the Δ-6-desaturase enzyme. In the uterus, this
competitive interaction between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may result in the
production of less potent prostaglandins and leukotrienes and may lead to a reduction in the
systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea.
The arachidonic acid metabolism is also altered in psoriasis. Proinflammatory leukotrienes
(LTB4) are markedly produced in the psoriatic lesions. Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are
known to decrease the production of LTB4, a metabolite of arachidonic acid produced by
activated neutrophils. Fish oil supplementation offers an opportuinity in management of
psoriasis and inflammatory skin disorders with negligible side effects. Clinical
improvements in tender joint scores and morning stiffness have also been reported with fish
oil supplementation, associated with a decreased production of pro-inflammatory
interleukine 1 (IL1) and LTB4.
5. Biomarker of dietary fat intake – the development of Test4Life
The turnover time for fatty acids (FA) in the adipose tissue is 1–3 years and unaffected by
temporary variations in diet. This make adipose tissue a good material to evaluate dietary FA
intake over extended periods of time. However, the FA composition of plasma lipids and the
membranes of platelets and erythrocytes provide a good assessment of the the dietary intake
of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). It was shown that EPA and DHA
contents of adipose tissue aspirates and erythrocyte membranes have similar correlations
with fish consumption. The measurement of erythrocyte phospholipids fatty acid status
presents several advantages: (1) it is a reflexion spread over time of habitual dietary fat
intake in relation to the biological half life of erythrocytes, (2) the level of EPA can be used
as a specific marker for the intake of fish and fish oil, (3) phospholipids are a model of fatty
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