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Omega 3 & 6 Oils

Omega-3 fatty acids (also known as n-3 fatty acids) constitute a series of essential unsaturated fatty acids that are nutritionally important to humans.

Essential fatty acids are molecules that cannot be synthesized by the human body but are vital for normal metabolism. One of the two families of these essential fatty acids is the omega-3 fatty acids. Common sources of Omega–3 fatty acids include fish oils (fish acquire them from algae) and some plant oils such as flaxseed oil and algal oil.

Although omega-3 fatty acids have been known as essential to normal growth and health since the 1930s, awareness of their health benefits has dramatically increased since the 1990s. New versions of ethyl esterized Omega-3 fatty acids, such as E-EPA and combinations of E-EPA and E-DHA, have drawn attention as highly purified and more effective products than the traditional ones.

DHA and EPA are made by marine micro-algae. These are then consumed by fish and accumulate to high levels in their internal organs.

In the United States, these novel versions are often sold as prescription medications, such as Lovaza. In the European Union, they are available as dietary supplements. MBD Energy Limited has begun work to become a major supplier of high value Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils to the burgeoning international pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals market.

The health benefits of the long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA Omega-3, are well known. These benefits were discovered in the 1970s by researchers studying the Greenland Inuit Tribe. The Greenland Inuit people consumed large amounts of fat from seafood, but displayed virtually no cardiovascular disease. The high level of Omega-3 fatty acids consumed by the Inuit reduced triglycerides, heart rate, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis.

The 'essential' fatty acids were given their name when researchers found that they are essential to normal growth in young children and animals. Likewise, researchers found that Omega-6 fatty acids play a similar role in normal growth. However, they also found that Omega-6 was "better" at supporting dermal integrity, renal function, and parturition. These preliminary findings led researchers to concentrate their studies on Omega-6, and it is only in recent decades that Omega-3 has again become of particular interest.

Many studies have been undertaken which appear to confirm the important roles that Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils play in human health – including coronary health and mental health.

For example, in 1999, GISSI-Prevenzione Investigators reported in the Lancet the results of major clinical study in 11,324 patients with a recent myocardial infarction. Treatment using 1 gram per day of Omega-3 fatty acids reduced the occurrence of death, cardiovascular death, and sudden cardiac death by 20%, 30%, and 45%. These beneficial effects were seen from three months onwards.

A study on the benefits of EPA published in The Lancet in March 2007 involved over 18,000 patients with unhealthy cholesterol levels. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1,800 mg a day of E-EPA with a statin drug or a statin drug alone. The trial lasted five years. At the end of the study, those patients in the E-EPA group had superior cardiovascular function and nonfatal coronary events were also significantly reduced. The authors concluded that EPA is a promising treatment for prevention of major coronary events, especially nonfatal coronary events.

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