3 replies to this topic

[geo12the]

What do people think of the latest research suggesting that DHA blunts the positive effects of EPA? I was taking a product that was a mix of both but have switched to two products that are only EPA. And switched my dog too.

 

https://www.medicaln...ga-3s-are-equal

 

Another study found that omega-3 carboxylic acids, which I assume are free fatty acid chains as opposed to fatty acids in triglyceride molecules, have cardiovascular benefits while a DHA/EPA mix did not:

 

https://www.hcplive....vascular-events

 

I looked and could not find any commercially available mega-3 carboxylic acid product.

 

[Castiel]

I'm not sure.  

 

One would like to believe it is all in good faith, but fish oil is cheap unpatentable.   The more benefits it has the greater the threat to existing profitable patented drugs and future patented drugs(when drugs come off patent not surprised to see newer patented versions marketed as more effective or issues suddenly found with the now unpatented substance.).

 

I mean just look at lot of stuff in food and cosmetics that is banned in Europe due to proven adverse effects, yet the companies own research gets it a GRAS(generally regarded as safe) status, don't tell me that ain't doctored?  They switch ingredients in europe but use the cheaper more harmful ingredients in the USA, only caring about money.

 

Similar I recall some products that were knowingly sold knowing they were contamined and would transmit some disease(think it was hiv), but the company management didn't care.

 

We've also seen the fossil fuel companies, internal documents showing climate change could significantly damage the world, but outside paying for studies casting doubt on climate change.

 

Think similar happened with cigarettes, haven't checked the background but pretty sure part of the campaign to cast doubt on whether cigarettes were harmful included dubious studies.

 

All in all, maybe fish oil isn't as good as some claim, but I would put a large bucket of salt on most research given that as said A LOT OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVE on casting doubt on natural remedies and unpatented drugs that show benefit as good or better than patented drugs.

 

Hear they even recently cast some doubt on metformin, not surprising given it is off patent.

Edited by Castiel, 07 June 2021 - 11:14 PM.

[davejam]

Yeah, I don't trust any negative information on full spectrum omega-3/DHA since Vascepa came on the market.

 

There are benefits associated with just DHA.  Here's one:

https://www.genengne...ison-to-tumors/

 

But there's also a wealth of information on its positive impact on the brain, cognitive function, and reducing chances of cognitive disease.

[CarlSagan]

https://jamanetwork....article/2777450

By this pure EPA gave a similar but lower increased risk of atrial fibrillation at 4g vs 4g DHA/EPA combo, in at risk people over a couple of years. and the combo showed a barely noticeable increase in people without prior problems around 0.8g a day. the absolute risk isn't that high though and is likely outweighed by other benefits, we are talking maybe around 3% or 4% incidence rate compared to a 2% usual incidence rate, for at risk non-elderly people and a bit more for those 70+. for people without prior issues it barely registered.

 

the REDUCE-IT trial used pure EPA and showed benefit on lowering risk of death from coronary heart disease, and another one too, where the STRENGTH trial used a combo and showed no benefit. https://www.health.h...du/blog/omega-3

and it seems DHA has a more nuke style anti inflammatory effect which can reduce both pro-inflammatory & anti-inflammatory proteins, where EPA is milder on the pro-inflammatory proteins but preserves the balance with the anti-inflammatory proteins. https://now.tufts.ed...sh-oil-omega-3s

Edited by CarlSagan, 18 June 2021 - 08:39 AM.