Fish Oil Health - EFSA dismisses omega-3 cognitive claim appeal

Fish Oil Health - EFSA dismisses omega-3 cognitive claim appeal

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says there are no grounds for amending the omega-3 fatty acids' cognitive function health claim rejection it issued to UK Fish Oil Heath supplements  brand, Equazen Eye Q, in February.

Dr Juliane Kleiner who is heading the health claims in EFSA address the crticism of submitted by Vifor Pharma and dismssed them all:

Verbal working memory

In response, Kleiner wrote that the NDA had not suggested an alternate wording as it had done with a tomato extract-blood platelet aggregation claim, that initially had been submitted as a blood circulation claim by UK company Provexis, because it did not consider the evidence strong enough to do so.

Vifor Pharma suggested that the NDA should change its submitted claim to more specifically mention verbal working memory, to reflect the science.

Its submitted claim stated: “Eye Q (a unique combination of Hi-EPA/DHA/GLA omega-3, 6 PUFA) provides the essential nutrients that help improve working memory in children.”

Data requirements

Vifor Pharma said there was a lack of transparency in data requirements to substantiate a health claim, in terms of when diseased populations for studies are relevant, the requirements for dose-response relationships to be established, as well as the demonstration of plausible mechanisms of action.

The company said these criteria were not being applied evenly, and cited a positive claim linking alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) and children’s brain development where a single study with a gun-shot wounded girl had been viewed favourably by the NDA. Similarly studies performed on those with irritable bowel syndrome have been deemed pertinent for digestive health claims by the panel.

Kleiner wrote that Vifor Pharma’s suggested plausible mechanisms: incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cerebral membranes and modulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production were backed by “weak” data. Kleiner agreed with Vifor Pharma that plausible mechanisms were not, “mandatory for substantiation of the claim” but was, “supportive and is taken into account when weighing evidence for substantiation.”

Similarly for dose-response relationships Kleiner said there was no requirement they be established, and nor had there ever been, but again such evidence could be supportive.

She said corroborating data Victor Pharma had provided demonstrating the effect of the supplement in healthy children aged 11-14 and 16 years of age was dismissed due to the fact it was presented in the form of a press release. Other supportive studies were deemed weak or irrelevant to the proposed working memory claim.

Kleiner said the ALA claim had been approved because the gun-shot study added to, “a consensus among scientific experts” that did not exist for the proposed Eye Q claim.

Both sets of comments will be taken into consideration by the European Commission and member states when scrutinising the NDA opinion before approving or amending it for the EU law books.

In its opinion, the NDA found causality had not been demonstrated between the intake of Eye Q and the improvement of working memory in children of 6-12 years of age. That opinion can be found here.

Eye Q is a combination of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and the n-6 PUFA, GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).

Fish Oil Vitamins

Fish Oil Vitamins - Omega-3 sauces target Asian markets

Thai sauce maker Heinz Win Chance is debuting a ketchup and oyster soyce fortified with omega-3 oils supplied by one of the world’s biggest fish oil players, Norwegian supplier, Denomega Nutritional Oils.

 

 

The products will have mainstream distribution in supermarkets and retail stores in Thailand to begin, with other Asian markets set to follow.

 

“Our marketing strategy is to move towards more natural and healthy nutrition to consumer with the same good taste as before,” said Win Chance senior product manager, Chayuttapol Hanwongjirawat.

 

“Using Denomega's complete and naturally taste free fish oil is therefore a great choice to strengthen our marketing message and position in the consumers mind.”

Coutsesy: NUTRAingredents.com

Click here to Read more on Fish Oil Vitamins

Fish Oil Vitamins - Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance metabolic syndrome outcomes

Omega-3-rich  supplements akin to fish oil vitamins might enhance blood lipid ranges of people with metabolic syndrome, decreasing the dangers of developing severe health issues, says a brand new study.

The research, revealed in The Journal of Nutrition, suggests that the effects of metabolic syndrome - a major risk issue for insulin resistance and diabetes - can be lowered through the addition of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) in low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diets.

“Fish oil vitamins correct many metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance, including lowered postprandial plasma triglyceride focus” said the researchers, led by Jose Lopez-Miranda from the University of Cordoba, Spain.

Threat elements

Metabolic syndrome is the title given to a bunch of risk elements that incessantly embody weight problems, hypertension, excessive levels of blood lipids, and excessive blood sugars.

The condition is a typical precursor to type II diabetes, and can also be strongly related to increased risk of major health problems equivalent to heart disease and stroke.

The causes of metabolic syndrome are unknown, although they're thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors - together with poor diet.

One technique to improve the overall health - and scale back the risks - of people with metabolic syndrome, has been to eat a diet low in saturated fat and high in complex carbohydrates. Nevertheless, earlier research has recommended that this food regimen doesn't help to cut back high ranges of blood lipids - with some studies observing such a food regimen could even be raising blood lipid levels.

Optimistic results

The brand new research looked into the effects of four totally different food program combinations on blood lipid metabolism, in 117 patients with metabolic syndrome.

In accordance with earlier strategies, the researchers found that a low-fats, excessively-complex carbohydrate eating regimen had “several detrimental results”, together with significantly growing total triglyceride ranges, and triglyceride rich lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

In contrast, intake of the identical food plan supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids was discovered to nott have any results on blood lipidlevels, with researchers observing that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats, or a low-fat diet rich in complex carbohydrates and omega-3 fatty acids, resulted in lower circulating blood lipid levels than a food regimen rich in high saturated fats or a diet plan low in fat and high in advanced carbohydrates.

The info from the study recommend a place for increased omega-3 consumption in folks with metabolic syndrome, and helps earlier analysis that implies monounsaturated fatty acids can have a positive impact on blood lipid levels.

"The long-term impact of the low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet program, pre vs. put up intervention phases, showed a number of useful effects of lengthy chain omega-3 PUFA supplementation,” stated the researchers.

“Our data suggest  that long term intake of an isocaloric, low-fats, excessive-carbohydrate weight-reduction plan supplemented with long chain omega-three … have helpful results on postprandial lipoprotein response in patients with metabolic syndrome,”

Source: The Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.3945/jn.109.120816
“A Low-Fat, High-Complex Carbohydrate Diet Supplemented with Long-Chain (n-3) Fatty Acids Alters the Postprandial Lipoprotein Profile in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome”
Authors: Y. Jimenez-Gomez, C. Marin, P. Perez-Martinez, et al

Untitled

Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance metabolic syndrome outcomes

Omega-3-rich  supplements akin to fish oil vitamins might enhance blood lipid ranges of people with metabolic syndrome, decreasing the dangers of developing severe health issues, says a brand new study.

The research, revealed in The Journal of Nutrition, suggests that the effects of metabolic syndrome - a major risk issue for insulin resistance and diabetes - can be lowered through the addition of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) in low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diets.

“Fish oil vitamins correct many metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance, including lowered postprandial plasma triglyceride focus” said the researchers, led by Jose Lopez-Miranda from the University of Cordoba, Spain.

Threat elements

Metabolic syndrome is the title given to a bunch of risk elements that incessantly embody weight problems, hypertension, excessive levels of blood lipids, and excessive blood sugars.

The condition is a typical precursor to type II diabetes, and can also be strongly related to increased risk of major health problems equivalent to heart disease and stroke.

The causes of metabolic syndrome are unknown, although they're thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors - together with poor diet.

One technique to improve the overall health - and scale back the risks - of people with metabolic syndrome, has been to eat a diet low in saturated fat and high in complex carbohydrates. Nevertheless, earlier research has recommended that this food regimen doesn't help to cut back high ranges of blood lipids - with some studies observing such a food regimen could even be raising blood lipid levels.

Optimistic results

The brand new research looked into the effects of four totally different food program combinations on blood lipid metabolism, in 117 patients with metabolic syndrome.

In accordance with earlier strategies, the researchers found that a low-fats, excessively-complex carbohydrate eating regimen had “several detrimental results”, together with significantly growing total triglyceride ranges, and triglyceride rich lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

In contrast, intake of the identical food plan supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids was discovered to nott have any results on blood lipidlevels, with researchers observing that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats, or a low-fat diet rich in complex carbohydrates and omega-3 fatty acids, resulted in lower circulating blood lipid levels than a food regimen rich in high saturated fats or a diet plan low in fat and high in advanced carbohydrates.

The info from the study recommend a place for increased omega-3 consumption in folks with metabolic syndrome, and helps earlier analysis that implies monounsaturated fatty acids can have a positive impact on blood lipid levels.

"The long-term impact of the low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet program, pre vs. put up intervention phases, showed a number of useful effects of lengthy chain omega-3 PUFA supplementation,” stated the researchers.

“Our data suggest  that long term intake of an isocaloric, low-fats, excessive-carbohydrate weight-reduction plan supplemented with long chain omega-three … have helpful results on postprandial lipoprotein response in patients with metabolic syndrome,”

Source: The Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi:10.3945/jn.109.120816
“A Low-Fat, High-Complex Carbohydrate Diet Supplemented with Long-Chain (n-3) Fatty Acids Alters the Postprandial Lipoprotein Profile in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome”
Authors: Y. Jimenez-Gomez, C. Marin, P. Perez-Martinez, et al

Fish oil may curb depression among teen boys

Research on Fish Oil Health benefits have found that fish oil help reduce depression in teenage boys.

Eating more oily fish like sardines, salmon and yellowtail could help teenage boys feel less blue, suggests a new Japanese study.

The same does not appear to hold for teen girls, however.

Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, are found predominantly in oily fish. Because these nutrients are thought to play a role in brain function, many researchers have wondered whether increased consumption could lower the risk of depression. But studies of such an association among adults have yielded inconclusive results.

Until now, investigators had yet to look for the potential link in youth, a population also prone to the debilitating problem. So Kentaro Murakami of the University of Tokyo and colleagues analyzed the diets and rates of depression in more than 6,500 Japanese junior high school students between the ages of 12 and 15.

Overall, 23 percent of the boys and 31 percent of the girls suffered from symptoms of depression, including feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and sleep disturbances, they report in the journal Pediatrics.

Based on questionnaires of food intake, and adjusting for factors including age and parents' education level, the investigators found that boys who ate the most fish -- the top fifth based on total consumption -- had a 27 percent lower odds of being depressed compared to those ranked in the bottom fifth.

Similar differences were seen when looking specifically at the EPA and DHA content of the fish consumed.

Meanwhile, no effect of fish oil on depression was seen among the girls.

The investigators admit that the differing effect of fish oil between boys and girls is difficult to explain, although they point to a few possibilities such as a stronger genetic role for depression in women compared to men.

They also caution that their findings do not provide enough evidence to determine if fish oil actually lowers the risk of depression. It might be, for example, that those who are depressed eat less fish.

Although more research is needed to confirm a cause-and-effect link, the researchers conclude that boosting the intake of fish, EPA and DHA "may be an important strategy for the prevention of depression."

SOURCE: link.reuters.com/veh73n Pediatrics, September 2010.