Omega 3 Fatty Acid

[Regular Joe]

Hi folks,

Is the jury in on the supplement Omega-3 Fatty Acid (fish oils)? I've read some positive comments about it being helpful in repairing digestive malfunctions or damage, and in Crohn's Disease treatment. I've also seen it referenced in a research paper written by a GI here in Cleveland. I haven't tried it yet, so I was wondering if there were any takers or experience to share?

 

[D Bergy]

Omega 3 fatty acids in the proper ratio to Omega 6 fatty acids are an important part of general health.

The ratio in our body has changed over time due to the vast change in eating in the last 50 years, and modern farming techniques that has changed the ratio in beef from what it used to be. Grass fed beef has much different ratio than corn fed and grained beef.

You can actually promote Cancer by increasing Omega 6 fatty acids to a disproportional amount. Too much Omega 6 causes inflammation, which is how it directly relates to Crohn's. Sunflower Oil has been virtually eliminated from human food for this reason. Now you will find these unhealthy oils in many pet foods, as they are cheap.

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/lox.htm

There are many supplements which can help reduce inflammation, and help general health. Fish / Krill Oil are one of the first that should be used.

Omega 3 supplements will not have a huge impact on most Crohn's symptoms, but does promote the body to function more normally. I do several things to reduce inflammation, and all together they make a difference, but any one of them probably would not make a huge difference.

The only direct result I noticed when I started using Krill Oil was my scalp became less dry. My skin in general improved enough that I could notice.

When I combined Krill Oil with higher amounts of Turmeric and Ginger, I accidentally cured my life long depression problem. I did not know it beforehand, but my depression was directly linked to my Crohn's in that it was the result of Chronic low grade inflammation. Once I reduced the inflammation, my brain could function normally.

Dan

 

[kenny]

from what I read in "Eating Right For a Bad Gut" I totally agree with Dan's point about reducing O6. It seems that it is not enough to supplement O3 if you don't reduce O6 intake.

 

[Christiebird]

I take omega 3 every day and linseed oil capsules. Not sure if they do me any good or not as I've been in flare for quite some time but since Im on the lowest fat diet I can do I figure a bit of natural oil will do me good?! Don't know if its true or not. Anyway, nothing helpful there so a pretty pointless post really! One negative about the fish oils is they have a bad habit of repeating....eurgh!

 

[kenny]

I am hoping this discussion can expand a bit as it is the basic building block to how I am trying personally to fight my disease. What I have read, related to this topic, is based on Dr.Scalla's (author of Eating right for a bad gut) description on metabolism as it relates to omega3 vs omega6. But I really cant get my head around it all without help.

Is there anyone reading this who can shed more light on PGE-2 vs PGE-3, how they are produce and what effect they have on inflammation?

From what I understand O6 fatty acids create PGE-2 which produces inflammation in the gut and tissue damage. O3 fatty acids produce PGE-3 which is a prostiglandin that reduces inflammation in the gut. And somehow PGE-1 is mixed in there which can restrict PGE-2 production but is very limited in our bodies.

Also what is Arachidonic Acid (AA) and how do I reduce it in my system?

 

[peleburrows]

i take fish oil (1000mg) and it was also recommended to me by a nutritionist. like d bergy said the omega 3 / omega 6 ratio has changed pretty massively over the last half century, saw estimated figures and it was pretty staggering even by my non-scientific eyes. my opinion is that i doubt it makes a great difference but any positive reaction has got to be a good thing.

interesting about the krill oil, tumeric, and ginger - certainly going to look in to that.