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Harp Seal Oil is a source of Omega 3
Beneficial EffectsResearch has indicated that omega 3 : Omega 3 can reduce the risk of primary cardiac by 70%, by reducing blood vessel blockages.
Fish oil helps lower blood pressure and may help certain blood pressure medicines work more effectively.
Dutch researchers have confirmed a link between fish consumption and a reduced risk of stroke.
Omega 3 seal oil may reduce the associated pain, nausea, and bloating of menstruation
Omega 3 may help in the treatment of Depression. Consumption of omega 3 fish oils may help in the prevention and treatment of Cancer.
More than a dozen studies confirm that Omega 3 offers anti-inflammatory relief for arthritis sufferers.
Seal Oil contains all three components of Omega 3: EPA, DPA, DHA and in the same proportions that are found naturally in the human bodySeal Oil can provide up to 10 times the DPA as fish oilsSeal Oil is "Bio-Filtered" Oil. Seal Oils therefore supply a naturally purified source of Omega 3.Seal Oil is source of Omega 3 and is a dietary supplement.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a critical role in maintaining good health and ensuring normal development.
PUFAs are made up of chains of fatty acids that differ in length and the number and position of double bonds. These differences determine PUFAs' biological properties.
Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds.
Monounsaturated fatty acids contain one double bond.
PUFAs contain more than one double bond.
Molecules with the first double bond between the third and fourth carbon atom from the methyl end are called omega-3 or n-3 fatty acids. Those with a double bond between the sixth and seventh carbon atoms are known as omega-6 or n-6 fatty acids.
Fats provide energy, form part of the membrane surrounding each cell and are precursors of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes.
We need to obtain two key PUFAs - linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid - from our diets. These are the 'essential' fatty acids that the body converts into other PUFAs.
Eating 200 to 300g of oily fish weekly or 4-8g of fish oil daily fulfills the dietary requirements. But some patients may need to increase their intake.
Babies, pre-term infants and pregnant women need LC-PUFAs to ensure normal development of the brain and other nerve tissues.
People with a personal or family history of heart disease or circulatory problems may also benefit from a higher omega-3 PUFA intake.
People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis often find increasing consumption of omega-3 PUFA reduces pain and stiffness.
Omega-3 PUFAs may alleviate infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis and diaper dermatitis (nappy rash), protect smokers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reduce the likelihood of relapse in Crohn's disease.
Still to be confirmed roles for PUFAs include treating pre-menstrual syndrome, diebetes, multiple sclerosis, migraine, depression and cancer.
Seal Oil Facts
Seal Oil can provide up to 10 times the DPA as fish oilsMany fish oils are higher in cholestrol than seal oil
Laboratory analyses have found that Omega 3 Seal Oil provides substantially higher levels of EPA, DPA and DHA than those using other sources, such as fish or flaxseed oil.
Omega 3 seal oil may be helpful in alleviating symptoms of diabetes, arthritis, psoriasis and hypertension.
Seal Oil is the only supplement rich in Natural DPA.
Unlike both flaxseed and fish oil, seal oil has only traces of omega 6, and may be the best product to reduce the imbalance of omega3-6-9.
Seal Oil Technical DataDIRECTIONS: ADULTS AND CHILDREN TAKE TWO TO FOUR CAPSULES PER DAY OR AS DIRECTED BY A PHYSICIAN.STORAGE: KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED, AWAY FROM HEAT AND MOISTURE AND OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Formula/capsule: 500mg 100% Natural Seal Oil Capsule Shell: Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water Physical Appearance: A clear yellowish, oily liquid, with pleasant fishy flavour and aroma. Mamufacture: Product is prepared involving process of cold pressing, centrifuging and mechanical filtering. No chemical solvent is involved. The entire manufacturing process is under strit sanitary conditions, in accordance with Canadian Food & Drug Regulations and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Calories: 5kCal/capsule Total Omega 3 Content: 21-25% DPA 4.7% DHA 8.9% EPA 7.6% Squalene 2.5% Vitamin E 0.5%
Omega-3 and Asthma Anyone who struggles with asthma is all too familiar with the breathlessness, wheezing and coughing brought on by an attack. Since these aversive symptoms appear to be caused largely by leukotrienes, the search is on for remedies that will antagonize leukotriene synthesis. Enter another potential use for marine oil - in one study, large doses brought about the formation of less aggravating leukotrienes in asthmatics. But Walter C. Pickett, Ph.D., senior research biochemist at Lederle Laboratories in New York, who was involved in this research, notes that it is not yet known whether the change in leukotrienes helps alleviate asthma symptoms. One expert speculates that Eskimos may have a low incidence of asthma because they have hefty amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in their diets continuously from birth. Possibly, marine oils have an impact in the early stages of asthma - before asthmatics are sensitized to substances that bring on attacks. Dr. Pickett agrees it's conceivable that eating fair amounts of fish starting early in life may influence the later development of asthma. -Prevention April 1990
Omega 3 and InfantsDHA is essential for normal eye and brain development An inadequate supply of DHA (in some cases also ARA) during CNS development gives cause for concern because of possible long-term effects on visual and cognitive functions. Some researchers also suggest that DHA deficiencies during this rapid period of development cause irreversible damage to the brain and nerve tissue. Since fetuses and newborns have improper enzyme system to elongate alfa-linolenic acid to DHA, they must rely on the pre-formed DHA in the mothers milk (or alternatively - DHA supplemented milk formula).Preterm The intrauterine accretion of DHA (and ARA) is vital for the growth and development of the infant. Preterm infants and babies with intrauterine growth retardation are often born with deficiencies of these fatty acids. DHA deficiencies have shown to lead to visual dysfunction and suppressed mental and psycomotoric development, whereas it has been suggested that decreased ARA-levels in blood reflect slightly suppressed growth (Carlson et al, 1993). There is no doubt that DHA is essential for the preterm baby or even that short term DHA supplementation influences visual acuity at age of 12 months. It has been suggested that DHA supplementation (0.2% DHA) increases the speed of visual processing in preterm infants (Carlson et al, 1995). It is currently recommended to fortify preterm formula with DHA and ARA in amounts of: 60-100mg ARA/kg bodyweight/day and 35-75mg DHA/kg bodyweight/day (ISSFAL Board meeting 1994). Term Healthy, term infants fed breast milk (containing on average 0.2%DHA of total fatty acids) are known to have better visual function and higher DHA levels in their blood than those fed standard milk formula (without DHA). A positive correlation has been observed between erythrocyte DHA and the visual acuity. The higher content of DHA in the brain of breast fed infants may also explain why they have better neural development compared to formula fed infants. Formulas enriched with ARA (0.44%) and DHA (0.3%) gave a developmental score (DS) similar to those seen in infants who were breast fed for 4 months. Infants on DHA rich diets scored significantly better on DS than infants on standard formulas (without long chain PUFAs) (Agostini et al, 1995). Formulas containing alpha-linolenic acid do not seem to maintain DHA-levels in blood of the newborn at amounts comparable to human milk fed infants. Where breast feeding is not possible, it has been suggested that a daily minimum of 30mg DHA (approx 0.2g/100g fatty acids) should be added to the formula to prevent cortical deficiencies of DHA (Farguharson et al, 1993). The EU-Directive on infant formula (1995) specifies that if long chained omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are added, they should not exceed 1% of the total fatty acids, and that EPA levels should be lower than DHA-levels.
Omega 3 and PregnancyAccording to Crawford (1995), the first pregnancy-related need for PUFAs (both omega-6 and omega-3) occurs during the three months prior to conception. This critical period for cell commitment and division requires ARA and DHA to facilitate growth and development. It has been suggested that supplementation with fish oil, or increased fish intake, during pregnancy prevents the pregnancy-induced hypertension, prolongs gestation, increases birth weight and reduces the incidence of premature birth (Gerrard et al, 1991, Olsen et al, 1992). Recent data support the view that the intake of DHA during pregnancy should be in the amount of at least 0.1-0.4 g/day (Crawford, 1995).Fetal stage DHA is important for optimal nervous system development. During the last trimester of pregnancy, when the fetal demand for neural and vascular growth are greatest, there is an elevated accretion of DHA in the liver and brain of the fetus. A maternal diet high in DHA will greatly enrich the DHA concentration in the blood of the newborn infant. Even levels as low as 0.7g EPA+DHA/day during the period from 25th to 35th week of pregnancy seem to be beneficial (Connor et al, 1995). DHA levels in maternal plasma are lower in multigravidae compared to primigravidae and the smaller the baby, the lower DHA-level (Al et al, 1995). Consequently, it is therefore especially important for multigravidae to increase the intake of DHA. Pre-eclampsia During pregnancy, blood lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol may rise several folds. There may also be an increase in blood pressure. The risk of developing pre-eclampsia and subsequent premature birth is increased if these, otherwise normal changes are increased above certain levels. Severe forms of pregnancy-induced hypertension have been reported to be beneficially modulated by omega-3 fatty acids (Secher et al, 1991). In light of their very strong hypotriglyceridemic and hypotensive effects, omega-3 fatty acids along with other nutritional factors, may be significant for the prevention of pre-eclampsia. The maternal blood pressure responses depend on the ARA/EPA ratio in the vessel wall. Multicenter studies are currently in progress and the first results are expected to be available primo 1997. In the meantime, it would generally seem prudent to recommend an increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. EPA will benefit the mother's heart and circulation, and DHA will definitely be good for the development of fetal brain and nervous system. Literally thousands of studies have been published on the potential beneficial effects to human health of seafoods and fish oil preparations containing Omega 3 fatty acids.
Harp seal is a marine mammal found abundantly in the ice-cold waters of Newfoundland and Labrador. Because of their environments, harp seals have unique biological characteristics which make them interesting as a renewable resource to be harvested for human consumption. All components of seal carcass are currently used as shown in the Figure. Blubber oil from harp seal is a rich source of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which have attracted much interest and are the focus of attention. The interest in marine oils stemmed from the observation of the diet of Greenland Eskimos in which fish as well as seal meat and blubber was important. The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Eskimos was considerably less than that of the Danish population, despite their high fat consumption. The beneficial health effects of omega-3 PUFA have been attributed to their ability to lower serum triglyceride and cholesterol. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids are essential for normal growth and development and may play a role in the prevention and treatment of hypertension, arthritis, inflammatory and auto immune disorders, diabetes and cancer of the breast and prostate. Unlike saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids which can be synthesized by all mammals, including humans, the omega-3 PUFA cannot be easily synthesized in the body and must be provided through the diet. The unique feature of marine oils, such as seal oil, relates to their high content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and, to a lesser extent, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). These PUFA are formed in unicellular phytoplankton and multicellular sea algae and eventually pass through the food web and become incorporated into the body of fish and higher marine species. The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in marine lipids is suggested to be a consequence of cold temperature adaptation in which omega-3 PUFA remain liquid and oppose any tendency to crystallize. Omega-3 PUFA not only result in a decrease in plasma lipids by reduced synthesis of fatty acids and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), they also have a direct effect on the heart muscle itself, increase blood flow, decrease arrhythmias, improve arterial compliance, decrease the size of the infarct and reduce several cellular processes that compromise heart function. It has also bee suggested that marine oils may retard atheriosclerosis through their effects on platelet function, platelet-endothelial interactions and inflammatory response. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids have been found to have a marked effect on tissue development. Recent studies have demonstrated the DHA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation is necessary in order to prevent deficiency of the mother's DHA status during these periods in order to meet the high fetal requirement for DHA. It has also been shown that premature babies have lower levels of DHA in their tissues as compared to full-term babies. Thus, supplementation of infant formula with DHA/marine oils may be necessary in order to provide them with as much DHA as that available to their breast-fed counterparts. Feeding of infants with formula devoid of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in lack of deposition of DHA in their visual and neural tissues with its adverse effects on vision and nervous system. In comparing seal blubber oil with fish oils, assimilation of seal oil into the body is more efficient than fish oils. EPA, DPA and DHA in seal oil are located primarily in the terminal positions of the triglyceride molecules while they are preferentially present in the middle position of triglycerides in fish oils. This difference in the location of the omega-3 PUFA is a major reason for superior effect of seal oils as compared to fish oils in disease prevention and potential health benefits. Seal oil may be used in the form of 500mg capsules or as a bottled product.
Omega-3 and Cardiovascular disordersNumerous studies show that increased long term intake of marine oils, rich in EPA and DHA, reduces the morbidy and mortality associated with cardiovascular disorders in middle-aged men. Conflicting data exist as to whether it is EPA or DHA, or the combination which is responsible for the various beneficial effects. in any event, it is known that there may be limits to the elongation and desaturation of EPA to DHA, whereas the retroconversion of DHA to EPA occurs.-Harris et al., Grimsgaard et al., 1995 It is generally agreed that omega-3 fatty acids moderate hyperlipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia, very rapidly in a dose dependent manner. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the triglyceride levels in the blood by a reduced synthesis and secretion of VLDL particles from the liver and enhances the in vivo liposysis of the VLDL-particles. An improved balance between LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol is also normally found, whereas the effect on total cholesterol is marginal. A large number of studies report such findings. Omega-3 fatty acids influence on platelet aggregability at rather low doses (50-350mg), whereas significant effects on blood lipids and blood pressure can be achieved at higher doses (2 g/day). -Christensen et al, 1995 Recent data (from a parallel group study) show that 3 g pure DHA (95% DHA, ethyl ester) produce a 30-40% greater reduction in triglyceride levels in plasma than a corresponding amount of EPA (90% EPA, ethyl ester). DHA also seems to have a more marked effect on increasing HDL-cholesterol, whereas EPA was found to slightly decrease both total cholesterol and APO-1 in normal subjects (Grimsgaard et al, 1995). This study suggests that DHA might be more beneficial than EPA in terms of effects on blood lipids. Others have reported that DHA-rich oils (4 g/day, 42% DHA) are less active than EPA-rich oils and fish diet on both fasting and postpprandial triglyceride levles. -Agren, 1995 A positive correlation has been observed between supplementation with EPA and DHA (85% ethyl ester) and improvements in blood pressure and heart rate in subjects suffering from mild hypertension. Recently published studies showed that DHA (EE), not EPA (EE), lowered the heart rate in healthy humans. -Bönaa el al, 1995 Even short time supplementation with large amounts (19g/day) of a combination of EPA and DHA (as ethyl esters) has shown to have long-lasting effects on the human platelet aggregation, an effect suggested by inhibition on TXA2/PGH2 receptor by EPA and/or DHA-sensitive mechanisms. -Di Minno et al, 1995 Studies on cardiac arrhythmias do not give any clear evidence on the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids. However, a trend towards reduction in ventricular extracystoles in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias has been observed after supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (Christiansen et al, 1995). Animal studies show that DHA may inhibit ventricular tachyarrhytmias more significantly than EPA (Leaf, 1995), and also increases the cardiac contractability. -Grynberg et al, 1995 Recent data also show that DHA has more pronounced inhibitory effect on the expression of cytokines in endothelial cells, which clearly downregulate the inflammatory process and may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis. -DeCaterina & Libby, 1995 Epidemiological and clinical research have shown that omega-3 fatty acids intervene in the atherosclerotic process at all steps, and that there probably are synergistic effects of EPA and DHA at many levels. -Argen, 1995
Omega-3 and ArthritisLong before it emerged as a possible remedy for heart disease, fish oil was used to treat arthritis. Maurice Stansby, veteran fish-oil researcher and scientific consultant to the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle, uncovered documents indicating that, in the late 1700's, personnel from a hospital in Manchester, England, routinely dosed arthritis patients with cod-liver-oil supplements to help their "squeaky joints." Stansby surmises that the fish-oil tradition was lost to history because it was so unpalatable-the only time patients would take their tonic was when it was forced upon them by attendants. No wonder, when cod-liver oil of the day was extracted from rotten fish livers!Interests in treating arthritis patients with fish oil was rekindled by the finding that manipulating fatty acids in the diets of arthritic animals was beneficial. A link with fish oil was also suspected because of evidence that leukotrienes and thromboxane (a product of prostaglandins) are involved in the kinds of inflammatory reactions causing the painful symptoms of arthritis. Accordingly, Harvard researchers decided to test out the effects of fish oil in people who have rheumatoid arthritis, a form of arthritis that can be severely disabling. Richard Sperling, M.D., and his coworkers found a lowering of inflammatory biochemical, along with a decrease in joint pain and tenderness, in rheumatoid arthritis patients who took fish-oil supplements. Although the results are considered preliminary since no control group was involved, Dr. Sperling thinks that fish oils have the potential to act as anti-inflammatory drugs. Support for Dr. Sperling's hunch comes from research conducted at Albany Medical College, in New York. Joel Kremer, M.D., found "modest" improvements in some symptoms of rheumatoid-arthritis patients who were on fish-oil capsules compared to a group of similar patients who did not take the supplements. The problem with this study is that the patients who took the capsules were also on a special diet, making it difficult to know whether fish oil or something about the diet was responsible. In a more recent study, Dr. Kremer placed people with rheumatoid arthritis on fish-oil supplements, but no special diet. Compared to a period of time in which they took a placebo (an inert supplement, often called a "sugar pill"), the fish-oil takers suffered significantly less joint tenderness and reported less fatigue. It's important to note that, although there appeared to be overall improvement in other symptoms of arthritis such as duration of morning stiffness and joint swelling, the effects of fish-oil supplements were not as definite. Thus, fish oil cannot be viewed as any sort of a panacea for arthritis sufferers. Furthermore, the small amount of research that has been conducted in this area has involved large amounts of fish oil. Dr. Dreamer's patients, for example, took 10 to 15 fish oil capsules a day-surely a pharmaceutical dose. He issues words of caution when it comes to taking fish-oil supplements. But he does recommend that people who have arthritis eat more fish. At the very least a fish-rich diet can help keep weight down-an important move to minimize stress on weight-bearing arthritic joints. -Prevention, April 1990
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