Nature's Sunshine Products NSP

[CombinedNSP]

Inflammation - Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Disease

A recent headline in USA Today, and an article in Men's Health (Dec. 04), and a book by Dr. Barry Sears, The Anti-Inflammation Zone, all highlight the dangers of silent inflammation that occurs within the cells of the body.

The USA Today article by Steve Sternberg quotes studies that appeared in New England Journal of Medicine. It says: "Inflammation as potent as bad cholesterol: Two leading research groups independently report today that lowering blood levels of a protein that promotes artery inflammation is just as important as reducing bad cholesterol for preventing heart attacks and strokes. Their conclusions reflect a major shift away from the notion that bad cholesterol, or LDL, is the primary villain in heart disease. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) also must be reduced to halt the disease's progression, researchers said."

The article in Men's Health, Bonfires of the Arteries, sites "Inflammation is the slow burn that sparks thousands of heart attacks and strokes every year."

"Half of all heart attacks and strokes in the United States each year occur among people with essentially normal cholesterol levels, says Paul Ridker, M.D., a professor of medicine at Harvard medical school. There's more to heart disease than just lipids. In addition to the problem of cholesterol, there's the problem of the immune system or the inflammation response. A heart attack occurs when plaque ruptures inside your blood vessels. But that rupturing hinges not just on how much plaque you have but also on the degree of inflammation, Dr. Ridker says. Your level of CRP – measured by a simple blood test – helps detect this condition so you can predict whether you're in danger of cardiovascular disease and stroke."

The article then suggests seven methods to help reduce CRP levels.

1. POP A MULTIVITAMIN: A study in the American Journal of Medicine showed that people who popped a multivitamin each morning for 6 months decreased their CRP by 0.7 milligrams per liter. And a University of California at Berkeley study found that people who took 500 mg of vitamin C saw a 24 percent drop in CRP after just 2 months.

2. TRUST YOUR GREEK FRIENDS: … people who most closely followed a Mediterranean diet – one rich in olive oil – had CRP numbers 20 percent lower than those of their less oily brethren. (This is the diet that Dr. Wentz has recommended.)

3. FLOSS LIKE A FIEND: …inflammation effects of periodontal disease also cause inflammation of your arteries..

4. BUILD A SALMON BURGER: In a new Harvard study, people who consumed the most omega-3 fatty acids (1.6 grams per day) had 29 percent lower CRP readings than those who ate the least. (Nature's Sunshine's Super Omega 3 EPA is an excellent, easy way to increase your omega-3 fatty acids*)

5. CUT THE FUEL SUPPLY: Reducing fat helps reduce CRP.

6. EAT FIBER, FIBER, AND MORE FIBER: Whatever the reason, consume your recommended 20-plus grams of fiber..

7. SOCIALIZE: Social interaction helps reduce depression which helps to lower CRP.

Dr. Barry Sears' book, is very detailed and informative. On page 88 he discusses the several ways to: "…have a direct anti-inflammatory effect by either: inhibiting the formation of arachidonic acid (AA), or inhibiting the enzymes that transform AA into pro-inflammatory eicosanoids." The first thing he mentions is fish oil:

"On a scale of 1 to 10 for supplements, I give high-dose fish oil a 12. It's the number-one anti-inflammatory supplement you can take – as long as you take an ultra-refined product that has had the vast majority of the inherent toxins removed… If you only take one supplement in your life, make sure it's high-dose fish oil…

No nutritional program is complete without a high-quality source of omega-3 fatty acids. Until now, it has been difficult to receive beneficial amounts of these acids because refining processes for today's commercial oils remove nearly all essential omega-3 fatty acids.

*Nature's Sunshine's Super Omega-3 EPA, Stock #1515-7

Super Omega-3 EPA [Circulatory]. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of four basic fats that the body derives from foods. While many of the other fats are harmful, Omega-3s benefit the body and are especially good for the heart. Consumption of the omega 3 fatty acids found in Super Omega-3 EPA—EPA and DHA—may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

The body uses omega-3 EFAs as one of the primary components of cell membranes. Omega-3 fatty acids also may help maintain blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. When there is a shortage of omega-3s, the body uses saturated fat to construct the cell membrane, resulting in less elastic membranes. Omega-3s are also beneficial to the structural system and to the skin.

Super Omega-3 EPA softgels contain approximately 1000 mg fish oil, with a ratio of 33:16 EPA to DHA (380 mg EPA, 190 mg DHA) per softgel. It also contains lemon to significantly reduce the aftertaste from fish oil and to reduce gas. Take 1 softgel with a meal three times daily.

*Contains 1000mg cold-water fish oil rich in the important omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA

*Comes in a natural form that is more easily absorbed by the body

*Provides a convenient gel capsule formulation for easy use and storage

*New, concentrated formula cuts in half the number of pills you take per day

*Helps promote optimal cardiovascular health, support proper brain and neural development, and maintain good joint health*

*Contains lemon to significantly reduce the aftertaste from fish oil and to reduce gas.

Nature's Sunshine also has . . . .

DHA, Stock #1513-5

DHA [Circulatory, Nervous]. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a fatty acid that is absorbed into the fatty perimeter of cells. There it exerts its biochemical properties. Thirty percent of gray matter in the brain is composed of DHA. It is also highly concentrated in the retinal neural tissues. DHA is required for brain development and important in maintaining and protecting the neural tissues. It can only be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Research has shown that daily dietary DHA intake is lowest among women in the United States compared to women in Europe or Japan.

Supplementation with NSP DHA may help maintain the brain and support the entire nervous system. It can also benefit ocular health by improving the integrity of retinal cell membranes. Each soft gel of DHA contains 250 mg DHA and 50 mg EPA in a base of fish oil and natural lemon oil to significantly reduce the aftertaste from fish oil.
Take 1 softgel with a meal three times daily.
-Maggie S