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

omega-3 has been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease,
neurodegenerative disorders and some cancers, including carcinoma of the breast. The
observed increased risk of breast cancer in Japanese women over the past four decades
correlates with an increased imbalance of dietary omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
The membrane of our trillions of cells physically separates the intracellular components from
the extracellular environment. The movement of water, nutrients and waste across the
membrane can be either passive or active (energy required). The arrangement of hydrophilic
heads and hydrophobic tails in the lipid bilayer allow the cell to control the movement of
substances via transmembrane protein complexes such as pores and gates. The fatty acid
present in membrane lipids come from the diet. Phospholipids are main components of cell
membrane in our trillions of cells with a hydrophilic head and generally one saturated fatty
acid and one polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-6 or omega-3) as the hydrophobic tails. The
length and the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids chains have a profound effect on
membranes fluidity. Unsaturated lipids create a kink, preventing the fatty acids from packing
tightly together, thus increasing the fluidity of the membrane and facilitating the exchanges
of substances. Human cells constantly receive signals from other cells and from the
environment, which they perceive, interpret and respond to with appropriate metabolic or
physiological changes.
An unbalanced ratio of mega-6 / omega-3 in cell membrane phospholipids may create a proinflammatory
climate within the cells. Inflammations are a key cause of pain. Phospholipase
A2 frees EPA (omega-3) and aracidonic acid (AA; omega-6) located in the 2 nd position of
the phospholipid molecule. The released AA and EPA are further oxidized by specific
enzyme to eicosanoids, signaling molecules called prostaglandins, leukotrienes,
thromboxane and prostacyclins. These hormone-like compounds are involved in tissue
damage, inflammation and pain. The enzymatic releases of arachidonic acid (AA - omega-6)
from membrane phospholipids enhance the synthesis of eicosanoids of the 2 and 4 series.
These eicosanoids are pro-inflammatory products that in turn create pain, which is
recognised by pain receptors and transmitted to the brain. On contrary the release of
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA – omega-3) from membrane phospholipids enhance the
synthesis of eicosanoids of the 3 and 5 series being less inflammatory. The networks of
controls that depend upon eicosanoids are among the most complex in the human body. They
exert complex control over inflammation and immunity systems, and are messengers in the
central nervous system.
Menstrual pain 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
arachidonic acid (omega-6) are released, and a cascade of eicosanoids 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, as in Oli4Life Balance,
compete with arachidonic acid for the production of eicosanoids. In the uterus, this
competitive interaction between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may result in the
production of less potent eicosanoids 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
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