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

controversial mainly for the gaps in the used protocols (e.g. the lack of adequate control, the
used dosage, the type of supplement, the age of onset) (Richardson A.J., 2004 a, Richardson
A.J., 2004 b).
Moreover some studies reported no benefit at all from supplementation with DHA alone
(Voight R.G. et al., 2001; Hirayama S. et al., 2004).
The results from our study, led on 30 children with ADHD with a diet supplemented with
2.5 mg /10 Kg/day of EPA+DHA (2:1), allowed us to verify that:
1. the supplementation with EPA and DHA in quiet high doses, related to the patient
weight, might result in attention level improvement and/or a decrease of the
hyperactivity levels/impulsiveness;
2. in patients presenting an high ratio AA/EPA the supplementation with EPA and DHA
determine in blood and in cell membrane phospholipids a new balance of the rates of
these fatty acids;
3. there is a correlation between the dose of n-3 LCPUFAs, the decrease of the
AA/EPA ratio and/or the entity of the clinical improvement (score);
4. the change in the AA/EPA ratio due to the increased intake of n-3 LCPUFAs is
accompanied in RBC membranes by a change in the cholesterol amount and in the
phospholipids profile.
Preliminary results on a depressed elderly patients, demonstrated that n-3 supplementation
which counteract and balance high levels of n-6 LC PUFA is able to decrease depression
symptoms. (Berra B. et al., 2007).
9.CONCLUSIONS
Fatty acids carry out many functions necessary for normal physiological health. Chronic
diseases are frequently associated with abnormalities in polyunsaturated fatty acid
metabolism, and unbalance in n-6/n -3 fatty acid ratio e. g. coronary heart disease,
hypertension, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, atopic eczema,
depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer dementia, multiple sclerosis. Numerous studies in
recent years, indicate that n-3 PUFA supplementation results in important health benefits.
Erythrocyte fatty acid measurements can indicate fatty acid deficiencies or imbalances from
the diet, but also metabolic abnormalities (e.g. lack of Δ-6 desaturase) or peroxidation of
membrane phospholipids. Red blood cell fatty acid analysis can give information on cellular
membrane fatty acid status and potential error in eicosanoid biosynthesis. Measuring
erythrocyte fatty acids for monitoring dietary fat intake or as a biomarker of disease risk is
becoming increasingly common in clinical nutrition; it can be used also as a biomarker for
ascertain risks of diseases such as CVD, diabetes, chronic inflammation, depression.
AA/EPA ratio in total blood was found as a reliable and low-time consuming assays for
dietary advice to establish a fatty acids balance in the prevention and control of chronic
diseases.
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