Description
The body needs fatty acids to survive and is able to make all but two of them: linoleic acid (LA), in the omega-6 family, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by the diet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs).
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in coldwater fish (and fish oil), perilla and flaxseed oils, are essential elements of a healthy diet. Omega-3 oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are usually lacking in the typical Western diet, which is filled with foods containing high amounts of omega-6 fats.97 EPA and DHA can be synthesized in the body from ALA, but EPA and DHA synthesis may be insufficient under certain conditions and for most people that consume Western diets.
Most Americans and citizens of other Western nations consume far too many omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and not enough omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In fact, some Western diets consist of 20 parts of omega-6 to only one part of omega-3. For optimum health, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be between 1:1 and 4:1.100
Studies associate the Mediterranean diet - rich in omega-3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids such as that found in olive oil, and antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs - with cardiovascular health and increased life span.101-109 Other studies support omega-3's importance in cardiovascular health.110-112
Life Extension's Super Omega-3 is a premium, scientifically-validated fish oil concentrate, derived from sustainable sources, that contains a proprietary, full-spectrum blend of synergistic nutrients to provide scientifically validated cardioprotective health benefits.
An abundance of scientific research substantiates the wide-ranging health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and monounsaturated fatty acid and polyphenols in olive fruit.113-121
No other commercially available fish oil supplement contains this level of essential fatty acids, sesame lignans and olive fruit polyphenols.
Super Omega-3 from Life Extension uses a proprietary EPA/DHA technology that results in a pure, stable and easy-to-tolerate fish oil. The Pure+ fish oil used in Super Omega-3 is produced with a proprietary technology that purifies the oil with a highly advanced distillation process to reduce environmental pollutants to extremely low levels. The result is an improved fish oil that exceeds the standards set by international rating agencies.
The unstable nature of fatty acids like fish oil limits their biological efficacy in the body. Scientific studies show that when sesame lignans are supplemented with fish oil, the beneficial effects are augmented.122,123
Sesame lignans help guard against lipid peroxidation, thereby extending the stability of DHA in the body. These lignans also direct fatty acids toward pathways which can help with inflammatory reactions. Super Omega-3 provides standardized sesame lignans to enhance the overall benefits of the improved EPA/DHA fish oil.
To emulate a Mediterranean diet, Super Omega-3 provides a standardized olive fruit extract to deliver the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol, a powerful antioxidant that protects normal LDL from oxidation and counters free radicals.124-128 Research shows that a combination of olive oil and fish oil supplements helps with inflammation better than a placebo or fish oil alone.129 Therefore, four softgels of Super Omega-3 provide the equivalent polyphenol content of 4 to 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Super Omega-3 provides a high concentration of olive fruit extract standardized for hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, verbascoside and oleuropein polyphenols. Research shows the value of oleuropein in favorably altering gene expression, delaying senescence in specialized skin cells, and helping maintain normal platelet activation.