We meet again to bring you the latest news and tips to achieve well-being and a better quality of life.

This time we have echoed some messages that we received through our email and through them we bring you a very current topic and what you have been asking us about: omega-3 fatty acids and DHA.

As part of our active listening policy, we have decided to offer you a special edition of OMEGA-3 + DHA.
In this article we will clarify why these fatty acids are so important, what their benefits are and we will introduce ACTIVE Ω3 DHA.

What are long-chain fatty acids?

Long-chain fatty acids are polyunsaturated structures (PUFAs).
In our body, PUFAs fulfill a structural function as they are part of the phospholipids of cell membranes.
They are also substrates for the synthesis of various physiological mediators.

Within this group of fatty acids we find two main groups: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.
Both are essential since the human body does not possess the enzymes necessary for biosynthesis.
Therefore, they must be incorporated through the diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for the body and should be incorporated through the diet

Within the subgroup of omega-3 fatty acids we find α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
ALA can be found in plant sources such as chia, flaxseed, or pumpkin seeds.
The remaining two, EPA and DHA, are found in significant amounts in fats obtained from cold-water fish and shellfish.
They can also be obtained from the intake of nutritional supplements.

Why are Omega-3s so important?

ALA acts as a precursor, by a hepatic metabolic pathway through the enzymes enlongase and desaturase.
This gives rise to the synthesis of EPA and subsequently DHA.
Unfortunately, the biosynthesis of DHA from ALA is estimated to be less than 1%.
This would be why people with major dietary restrictions, such as vegans and strict vegetarians, would have a much lower concentration of EPA and DHA than an individual without these restrictions.

Vegans and vegetarians have a lower concentration of EPA and DHA

https://altmedrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/v12-3-207.pdf

Dietary analyses showed that vegan diets lack DHA and vegetarian diets that include dairy foods and eggs only provide about 0.02g of DHA/day.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2009.05.013

Several studies carried out on humans have confirmed the results obtained.
In ALA metabolism there is no dose-response dependent relationship for the biosynthesis of EPA and DHA from this precursor.
A 2006 study in healthy subjects who received a diet enriched with ALA based on flaxseed oil for 4 weeks (14 g/day) showed a significant increase in plasma ALA levels, while EPA levels increased slightly and DHA levels remained unchanged.

DOI: 10.1007/s00394-006-0621-z

Both fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are rapidly incorporated into the phospholipids of cell membranes after being ingested.
There they can be catalyzed by lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase, giving rise to different products with powerful cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

What are the benefits of your omega-3 intake?

The anti-inflammatory properties of these fatty acids could be explained by the generation of anti-inflammatory agents, such as resolvins or neuroprotectin D-1 (NPD-1), in the case of neurons.
It has also been conjectured that it could be due to the blockade of pro-inflammatory agents.

Another theory posits that NPD-1s are released by feedback through three actions:

1. The increase in oxidative stress caused by H2O2,
2. Increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 β)
3. The mechanism of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties

DHA is a fatty acid of a very unique nature due to its highly unsaturated structure.
It has six double bonds, being the fatty acid with the highest unsaturation in the body and especially in cell membranes.
As it is mostly concentrated in the sn-2 position of phospholipids, it provides great flexibility to these cell structures.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73799-7_5

And why is all this important?

Omega-3s and their relationship to the control of inflammation

Changes in the fatty acid compositions of the cell membrane can modify membrane fluidity, cell signaling leading to altered gene expression, and the pattern of production of lipid mediators of inflammation.

The cells involved in the inflammatory response are typically rich in arachidonic acid (AA), which is also a component of the structure of cell membranes.

AA is released from phospholipids by activation of the enzyme phospholipase A2 in the early stages of inflammatory processes.
Subsequently, lipooxygenase and cyclooxygenase metabolize it, generating bioactive eicosanoids, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes.
Among these prostaglandins, E2 (PGE2) is a potent mediator of inflammation, pain, fever, and increased vascular permeability.
The second AA pathway involves the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase and with it the formation of different leukotrienes, including B4, C4 and D4, which are powerful pro-inflammatory agents that increase vascular permeability, the activity of immune cells, and stimulate the release of inflammatory cytokines.

Can inflammation be improved with Omega-3s?

The content of AA and omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA can be altered by oral administration of EPA and DHA.

EPA and DHA give rise to resolvins, which are anti-inflammatory proteins and that, precisely, hence their name, “resolve” inflammation.

Increased EPA and DHA content in the membrane results in a modified pattern of eicosanoid and resolvin production.

The inflammatory pattern can be helped to correct by consuming omega-3s

The change in the fatty acid composition of the cells involved in the inflammatory response also affects the production of inflammation-mediating peptides (adhesion molecules, cytokines, etc.).
Therefore, the fatty acid composition of the cells involved in the inflammatory response influences their function and the content of AA, EPA and DHA seems to be especially important.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2030355

Omega 3 during pregnancy

Several studies confirmed the benefit of omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy in terms of proper brain and retinal development.
Of the two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, DHA is the most important for proper cell membrane function and is vital for the development of the fetal brain and retina.
Supplementation during pregnancy has also been linked to decreased exaggerated immune responses in newborns, including a lower incidence of allergies in early childhood.

DOI: 10.1177/15648265100312S203

DHA is vital for the development of the brain and retina of the fetus.

The role of omega-3 in cardiovascular disease

Chronic inflammation is thought to be the cause of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. That is why EPA and DHA fatty acids would have anti-inflammatory effects and play a primary role in the management of oxidative stress by improving cell function through changes in gene expression.

This was studied in a group of healthy adults supplemented with DHA and EPA in contrast to another group supplemented with high-oleic sunflower oil.
The result was that a high intake of EPA + DHA changed the expression of 1040 genes, while the intake of high-oleic sunflower oil changed the expression of only 298 genes involved in inflammatory processes.
DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27680

Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease

In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have been found to play a role in atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease.
Both EPA and DHA are thought to improve atherosclerotic plaque stability, decrease endothelial activation, and improve vascular permeability, thereby decreasing the chance of experiencing cardiovascular events.
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2010.02.008

Let’s talk about omega-3s and Alzheimer’s disease

As we have said before, DHA is present in large quantities in phospholipids and specifically in the neuronal membrane, where it participates in the proper functioning of the nervous system, and neuronal synapses, which is why it is believed to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease.

The possibility is raised that a crucial event in Alzheimer’s disease is the activation of multiple inflammatory cells in the brain.
The release of IL-1B, IL-6, and TNF α from microglia cells can lead to dysfunction of neurons in the brain.
In one study, patients treated with EPA + DHA supplementation increased plasma concentrations and the results were associated with reduced release of inflammatory factors IL-1B, IL-6, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor from mononuclear cells in peripheral blood.
DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/87.6.1616

DHA is present in the neuronal membrane and plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease

We must not forget that in our article on ACTIVE MEMORY, we also talked about omega-3s, apoE4 and their fundamental role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Special Edition:

Omega-3 + DHA and ACTIVE OMEGA-3 DHA

As we said at the beginning, at Salengei we want to help you better understand the effects of different ingredients and bring you up to date with the articles published on the subject.
That is why we have prepared this edition of OMEGA-3 + DHA and we want to introduce you to ACTIVE Ω3 DHA.
This omega 3 is essential for the brain and eyesight, and to be taken into account in situations of fighting chronic inflammation that our body could suffer due to various reasons.
Try it and tell us!

Active Ω-3 DHA is a dietary supplement with a high content of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Each pearl contains 1000 mg of fish oil, of which 760 mg is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

The oil in this product is obtained by a cold extraction process, concentrated in the form of triglycerides, which favors better absorption of the oil.

Active W-3 DHA contains 1000 mg of fish oil, of which 760 mg is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

We are very satisfied with the level of responses and suggestions from you.
We look forward to staying in touch via our web form or social media.
See you next time!