I found the article, this is a cut and paste of the article from
LDNNow on Facebook.
It doesn't specifically mention Crohn's but refers to other auto immune conditions.
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The Use of Fatty Acid Supplements in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
by LDNNow on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 9:02am
Omega-3 Oils
The first group of essential oils, comprise the omega-3 (or N3) fatty acids. These include the fish liver oils, from such as cod or halibut; the refined fish oil, 'Maxepa', or EPA Concentrate; and linseed oil (flax-seed oil). The latter is commercially available as the dietary supplement, 'Linusit' or as capsules of linseed oil.
EPA fish oil is the least expensive of the N3 oils and a number of brands at varying prices are readily available. There appears to be no particular advantage in buying the more expensive brands. These oils are derived specifically from the fish body tissue. These oils have no significant content of vitamin A, which may be detrimental in auto-immune disease, such as MS, if excessive.
Maintaining a low, but beneficial level, of vitamin A is important and recommended in many conditions including auto-immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus; multiple sclerosis; rheumatoid arthritis; psoriasis, or immune mediated infertility.
Recent research has here prompted a change in the recommended ratio of the two different types of oil. For optimum physiological benefit, it is now considered that the dose of N3 oil should be much greater than the dose of the N6 oil (EPO or BSO).
This change has been prompted by research carried out by such as Dr Ashton Embry, whose work mainly involves the use of flax-seed oil in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been found however, that many people with auto-immune diseases have difficulty in converting the flaxseed oil into the active, anti-inflammatory EPA. In this circumstance therefore it would be considered more efficient to directly provide a supplement of EPA fish-body oil.
Further advice from Dr Tom Gilhooley (Centre for Nutritional Studies, Glasgow) has also suggested that the optimum response is gained from the use of such EPA fish-body oil.
Fish body oil usually contains about 18% EPA, ie 180 mg EPA per 1000 mg capsule of the concentrate. Thus, a minimal appropriate dose of EPA would be about 1000 mg, thus demanding a daily dose of five or six capsules of the EPA concentrate.
Because of the need to limit the intake of vitamin A, and with the threat of increasing dioxin levels in fish liver oils, it is recommended therefore, if fish liver oils are chosen, to take no more than two grammes (g) per day.
The use of large doses of cod-liver oil in pregnancy is also not advised. This too is due to the related content of vitamin A, which, in excess, has been associated with the occurrence of developmental defects in the baby. The safe limit of vitamin A in pregnancy is considered to be 10,000 international units per day, equivalent to two grammes of the liver oil. During pregnancy therefore, it is advised that this limit should not be exceeded.
It should also be noted that the consumption of just two ounces of liver per week is also equivalent to 5,000 int. units of vitamin A per day. In this circumstance, therefore, additional sources of dietary vitamin A, such as liver, should be avoided.
Obviously, because of the variable influence of oils already contained within the daily diet, it is both impossible and unnecessary to try to establish a 'perfect' balance, so this principle should be used only as a very rough guide.
The alternative use of EPA fish body oil is far more acceptable and, because this contains an insignificant level of vitamin A, the amount taken may be much greater.
Due to the frequent occurrence of headache when first taking the oil supplements it is recommended that the dose be increased slowly at weekly intervals.
The headache is believed due to increasing blood flow to the brain, in response to a beneficial change in the balance of prostaglandins in the blood. The headache, if it occurs, is temporary and will resolve within two or three days of starting the increased dose.
Response is directly related to the dose used. The basic rule is, the more, the better! A suggested minimum dose is 6 gms each day. The average dose is about 12 g/ day. In some more severe cases doses as high as 25 or even 30 g (mls) each day have also been used. It is generally cheaper to use the bulk liquid preparations rather than individual capsules. Fish body oil is generally more palatable than fish liver oil.
Symptoms that tend to improve include, muscle spasm, energy, muscle strength, balance, pain, etc.
Omega-6 Oils
The second group consists of the so-called omega-6 (or N6) fatty acids, contained in oils such as sunflower-seed or rape-seed oil. N6 oils also occur in such as evening primrose oil (EPO) or borage seed oil (BSO).
Borage-seed oil is otherwise known as starflower oil. All these oils will be available, under a variety of brand names, from different manufacturers.
Both EPO and BSO contain a high proportion of the two more important N6 oils: linoleic acid (LA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is effectively three times stronger than LA and is therefore of greater benefit.
The health benefits of evening primrose oil as a dietary supplement have been known for many years, but it is expensive and is readily available from chemists, health food stores or postal suppliers. It contains about 7-10% GLA.
Borage seed oil is somewhat more expensive than EPO but it contains up to two and half times more GLA (18.7%) than EPO and should therefore be that much more effective. Both EPO and BSO are available as easily swallowed capsules.
N6 oils are essential in the production of myelin, in the repair process of remyelination of the damaged areas of the brain and spinal cord occurring in MS. They are also essential in the production of a wide range of prostaglandins (PGs) which serve numerous vital functions around the body.
It is now suggested however, that because of the common use of N6 oils in the preparation of many foods is has now become less necessary to include this group of oils as specific supplements.
The suggestion too that N6 oils also contribute to the production of inflammatory PGs also makes it likely that an excess of this group of oils can also be detrimental to a number of conditions, including the auto-immune diseases, and such as arthritis (inflammation in the various joints of the body). Skin itching, a common symptom in MS, has also been reported as a symptom due to an excess of this group of oils.
Evening primrose oil is available on National Health Service prescriptions only for eczema and breast pain associated with pre-menstrual syndrome.
The administration of EPO or similar N-6 oils has been rarely associated with an increased risk of epileptic convulsions. It must therefore be advised that anyone suffering such a complaint should use it only with extreme caution or on the advice of their own doctor.
A realistic supplemental dose is now considered to be no more than 2 gms each day.
Omega-9 Oils
The third and final group of the essential oils, is that comprising the omega-9 (or N-9) oils.
These include the monounsaturated oils as contained in such as olive oil. Because olive oil is heat stable up to 400 degrees Centigrade, it is advised to use olive oil in cooking or frying, thus preventing the production of harmful trans-fatty acids. In addition, it has been found that urticaria (skin itching), a common symptom is MS, is often suitably treated by taking a regular dose of 10 mls of extra virgin olive oil each day. After a few days the itching is often found to be relieved.
Olive oil should also be used in cooking whenever an appropriate need arises.
Please address any questions regarding the advice offered to Dr Bob Lawrence, MRCS; LRCP, at the address below.
Registered Company Address
Dietary Research Ltd, 10 Heol Gerrig, Treboeth, S wansea SA5 9BP
Company Registered Number 2615367: Tel: 01792 – 417514
