Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Description

"n−3 fatty acids are thought by some to have membrane-enhancing capabilities in brain cells. One medical explanation is that n−3 fatty acids play a role in the fortification of the myelin sheaths. Not coincidentally, n−3 fatty acids comprise approximately eight percent of the average human brain according to Dr. David Horrobin, a pioneer in fatty acid research." (Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

Omega 3 fatty acids are an essential fatty acid^[1], which many Westerners are deficient in^[2][3]. America is well-known for its main crop, corn. It can be found in just about anything, from breakfast foods to sport drinks, primarily in the form of High Fructose Corn syrup. It is known that corn is abundant in Omega 6 fatty acids^[3]. There exists an antagonism between these fatty acids^[1], making it necessary to increase omega 3 fatty acids in the diet.

Benefits
- Brain health^[4]
- ADHD^[5]
- Heart Health^[6]
- Inflammation^[7]
- Cholesterol Regulation^[7]
- Immune Health^[8]

Warnings

"Persons with congestive heart failure, chronic recurrent angina pectoris or evidence that their heart is receiving insufficient blood flow are advised to talk to their doctor before taking n−3 fatty acids." (Wikipedia: Omega 3 - Cardiac Risk)

References
^[1] "Both n−3 and n−6 fatty acids are essential, i.e. humans must consume them in the diet. n−3 and n−6 compete for the same metabolic enzymes, thus the n−6:n−3 ratio will significantly influence the ratio of the ensuing eicosanoids (hormones), (e.g. prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes etc.), and will alter the body's metabolic function." (Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

^[2] "Typical Western diets provide ratios of between 10:1 and 30:1 - i.e., dramatically skewed toward n−6." (Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

^[3] University of Maryland: Omega-6 fatty acids

^[4] Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 - Brain Health

^[5] "Omega-3 fatty acids offer a promising complementary approach to standard treatments for ADHD and developmental coordination disorder.[64] Fish oils appear to reduce ADHD-related symptoms in some children.[64] Double blind studies have showed "medium to strong treatment effects of omega 3 fatty acids on symptoms of ADHD" after administering amounts around 1 gram for three to six months.[52][66][67]" (Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

^[6] Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 - Cardiovascular disease prevention

^[7] "Research in 2005 and 2006 has suggested that the in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of n−3 acids translates into clinical benefits. Cohorts of neck pain patients and of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have demonstrated benefits comparable to those receiving standard NSAIDs.[citation needed] Those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet tend to have less heart disease, higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels[56] and higher proportions of n−3 in tissue highly unsaturated fatty acids.[57]" (Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

^[8] "Another study regarding fish oil was published in the Journal of Nutrition in April 2007. Sixty four healthy Danish infants from nine to twelve months of age received either cow's milk or infant formula alone or with fish oil. It was found that those infants supplemented with fish oil had improvement in immune function maturation with no apparent reduction in immune activation." (Wikipedia Entry: Omega 3 Fatty Acids)

Cordyceps Sinensis

Description:

"The caterpillar fungus or Tochukaso has been highly regarded in Chinese medicine for many centuries. It is not a mushroom type fungus and the fruiting structure cannot be cultivated or cultured. The complete structure can be used in many forms, whole, powdered or extracted and has many applications in Chinese medicine (Hobbs, 1995; Halpern, 1999). Anti-cancer polysaccharides have been isolated from several species of Cordyceps and some have been shown to have hypoglycaemic activity as well (Jones, 1997; Itami and Yahagi, 1990; Kun 1998). A major concern with herbal medicine using Cordyceps collected from nature is quality and safety.

However, the pure mycelium of these parasitic fungi can now be easily cultivated in fermentors and is attracting considerable interest as an agent to treat fatigue and improve motor function (Mizuno, 1999). The major chemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies on Cordyceps sinensis have been reviewed for English and Chinese literature by Zhu et al. (1988a,b). These studies show that the main activities of the fungus are in oxygen-free-radical scavenging.

With this particular fungus it is clear that there will be increased usage of fermenter-produced mycelium. Such methods use selected media under aseptic conditions, providing better quality and homogeneity through process control.

Key active constituents:
Galactomannans (antitumour, immunostimulating)
Cordycepin
Sterols"^[1]

Benefits

"Animal, human, and in vitro studies confirm that this mushroom enhances aerobic capacity and cellular energy stores, reduces myocardial (heart muscle) oxygen consumption, lowers cholesterol, prevents damage to cells caused by free radicals, and normalizes immune function. In human studies, cordyceps was found to prevent immunosuppression and help restore normal macrophage and natural killer (NK) cell activity. In one study, it helped reduce tumor size in 50 percent of the patients." ^[2]

"Cordyceps has also been found to improve lung function and symptoms of chronic bronchitis."^[3]

^[1] Medicinal mushrooms: their therapeutic properties and current medical usage with special emphasis on cancer treatments. Chapter 3C

^[2](Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, pg. 152)

^[3](Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, pg. 153)

Jiaogulan: Herb of Immortality

The following is a summary I produced using a book which google has out for limited public viewing called Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens by J. P. MD Saleeby. Bit of a pain as the book contains no copy & paste function, as such it was done manually. Given the time taken I thought I'd have it posted in public locations for easy viewing. I felt such a remarkable herb should be given more publicity, especially given its market potential and healing attributes.

Properties
- Adaptogenic
- Regulates Cholesterol^[1][9] & Blood Pressure
- Strengthens the immune system^[2][3]
- Effective in the Treatment of Hypertension^[4]
- Improves circulation & cardiovascular function^[11][12]
- Increases stamina^[11][12]
- Reduces stress
- Weight loss aid^[5]
- Increases Nutrient absorption^[5]
- Stimulates liver function^[6]
- Anti-Inflammatory^[6]
- Reduces blood sugar^[7]
- Antioxidant^[8]
- Increases SOD^[8]
- Promotes restful sleep
- Increases Vitamin D^[9]
- Lowers risk of heart attack^[9]
- Anti-cancer^[10]



Studies
"Nearly 300 scientific papers on Jiagoulan and its saponins have been published in respected scientific journals."

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¹ "In a number of studies, the effectiveness of treatment using gypenosides to lower total cholesterol was shown to be as much as 63 percent." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 55)

²"Jiaogulan strengthens the immune system by preventing stress hormones that weaken immunity from overpowering the body, making a person more vulnerable to illness." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 56)

³"Research suggests that a daily dose of Jiaogulan could lessen the risk of colds, flu and infection by increasing the production of infection-fighting blood cells. In one controlled study, young rats fed with jiaogulan extract showed an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 57)

⁴ "In a clinical trial of patients suffering from hypertension, the effect of Jiaogulan were compared with that of ginseng. The results revealed that 82 percent of those taking Jiaogulan noted improvement in their condition as opposed to only 46 percent of those taking ginseng." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 54)

⁵ "Jiaogulan also appears to improve fat metabolism and increase the absorption of nutrients. It appears to also block the absorption of fat, depress lipid peroxide and fat sediment in the blood vessels." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 54-5)

⁶ "A number of studies[Lin, J (2000) & ChenJC(1999)] show that Jiaogulan may produce anti-inflammatory effects that protect the liver from various toxic chemical such as carbon tetrachloride. Jiaogulan (50 mg daily) was shown to activate DNA replication in liver cells, thus promoting liver regeneration." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 57)

⁷ "Clinical studies in lab animals show that Jiaogulan extract appears to stimulate rejuvenation of essential pancreatic Beta cells, the key cell responsible in the generation of insulin." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 58)

⁸ "Scientific studies illustrate that taking 40mg of Jiaogulan daily can triple the body's production of superoxide dismatuase, therby helping to neutralize damaging free radicals." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 60)

⁹ "Jiaogulan is thought to increase lipid metabolism, which includes the conversion of cholesterol to Vitamin D, bile acids and HDL. It also inhibits the production of free fatty acids, which leads to triglyceride synthesis by the body's fat cells. In lowering the LDL cholesterol, Jiaogulan can help prevent atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 54)

¹⁰"This herbal was also found to improve the Natural Killer (NK) cell activity in cancer patients, thereby helping their bodies to fight back against the invading tumors." (Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens, pg. 56)

¹¹ "By increasing the body's blood supply through enhanced cardiac output, Jiaogulan helps to nourish the internal organs by getting more oxygen to cells. Since oxygen plays a pivotal role in cellular metabolism and activity, more oxygen means greater endurance and increased stamina. Jiaogulan also contributes to a healthier heart because of its capacity to help the body cope with the harmful effects of stress, which can be a major element in the development of heart disease. Incidentally, improved cardiac output has been show to shorten recovery time from illness and injury." (Wonder Herbs: A guide to Three Adaptogen, pg. 55)

¹² "One trial studied 220 athletes as well as 30 healthy non-athletes taking Jiaogulan and showed a significant increase in cardiac output via ultrasound color doppler (ECHO) examination. This was achieved without an increase in blood pressure or pulse rate." (Wonder Herbs: A guide to Three Adaptogen, pg. 55)

Recommended Brand
This herb I myself take, it's rare to find it in Vitamin Shops. However, it is quite cheap over the internet. The brand I take is the following: