Fatty Acids and Their Importance for Human Health

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1 bio vis DIAGNOSTIK Fatty Acids and Their Importance for Human Health Summary Dietetic Principles of Fatty Acids and Diagnostic Options at biovis Diagnostik

2 Fatty Acids and Their Importance for Human Health

3 Today people suffer from omega-3- fatty acid deficits in all industrial nations. This leads to an imbalance in favour of omega-6-fatty acids. Possible consequences for human health are explained in the following

4 Omega-3-fatty acids are herbal fatty acids accumulated in seeds and leaves of plants.

60 %), camelina oil (approx. 40 %), hemp oil (approx. 17 5), walnut oil (approx.

Al these vegetable oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a fatty acid chain with 18 carbon

This fatty acid has three unsaturated double bonds between the 9th and 15th carbon atom.

fatty acid chain. The abbreviation is 18:3 n3.

The last double bond is in position omega-3.

4 4 Omega-3-fatty acids are herbal fatty acids accumulated in seeds and leaves of plants. High concentrations are found in linseed oil (approx %), chia oil (approx. 60 %), camelina oil (approx. 40 %), hemp oil (approx. 17 5), walnut oil (approx. 13 %), rapeseed oil (approx. 9 %) and in soya oil (approx. 8 %). Al these vegetable oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a fatty acid chain with 18 carbon atoms (C-atoms) in above mentioned concentrations. This fatty acid has three unsaturated double bonds between the 9th and 15th carbon atom. The name omega-3 indicates that only 3 further saturated C-atoms follow to the end of the fatty acid chain. The abbreviation is 18:3 n3. This implies: a chain of 18 C-atoms: 3 double bonds. The last double bond is in position omega-3. In addition algae and microalgae contain long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids, like for example EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5, n3) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6 n3). They are basic nourishment of fish and are essential for optimizing membrane functions also at low temperatures. 1-2 % of the total weight of fish consist of EPA and DHA.

5 5 Picture 1 : The Most Important Omega-3-Fatty Acids Omega-3-Fatty Acids HO O Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA. C 18 : 3, Omega-3) 3 methyl end HO 3 O Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA, C 20 : 5, Omega-3) HO 3 O Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA, C 22 : 6, Omega-3) What are Omega-6 Fatty Acids? Omega-6 fatty acids are also components of plants and seeds. Furthermore they are found in foods of animal origin. The structure of these fatty acids is identical with those of omega-3 fatty acids of the same length the only exception is that the last double bond is in position omega 6 this means at the 6th C-atom from the end of the fatty acid chain. The most important representatives are linoleic acid (18:2 n6) and arachidonic acid (20:4 n6). Linoleic acid is mainly of herbal origin while arachidonic acid is mainly of animal origin. Picture : The Most Important Omega-6-Fatty Acids Omega-6-Fatty Acids HO O Linolenic Acid (LA, C 18:2, Omega-6) 6 HO O Arachidonic Acid (AA, C 20:4, Omega-6) 6

6 6 Can the EPA-/DHA Level Be Increased By Consumption of Herbal Omega-3-Fatty Acids? Wherever this question comes up, one always hears statements that only minimal conversion is possible in the body. The given details mention EPA conversion rates from of 1 % to 5 %. The conversion rate to DPA is supposedly only approximately 0.5%. It is correct that omega-6-fatty acids compete with omega-3-fatty acids for the same enzymes (*Picture 3, Page 7). These enzymes are desaturases and elongases. They are responsible for the integration of double bonds and the extension of fatty acid chains. In newborns the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA still works very well. In adults, however, reduced consumption of omega-6-fatty acids is recommended to take pressure off the enzyme systems. In a study with 36 test persons the ratio of EPA:AA could be increased about 30 % after giving 13 ml linseed oil (7 g ALA) daily for a period of 6 weeks. The AA/EPA index decreased from 16:1 to 12:1. The percental EPA-share significantly rose from 0.7% to 1.0 % EPA. There were no further dietary measures introduced to the test persons. Other studies lead to similar results.

7 7 Omega-3 and Omega-6 are competitors in the metabolic system Rapeseed Oil Linseed Oil Walnut Oil ALA Omega-3 Delta-6-Desaturase Enzym EPA DHA Soy Oil Sunflower Oil Thistle Oil Linoleic Acid Enzym Arachidonic Acid Corn Oil Delta-6-Desaturase Omega-6 Picture: Omega-3- and Omega-6 fatty acids,competitors in the metabolic system. Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Your Health To put it very simple, one can say, that EPA and DHA develop anti-inflammatory and arachidonic acid pro-inflammatory tissue hormones in metabolic processes (prostaglandins). The omega-3-fatty acid alpha linolenic acid and the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid are essential. This means that the human organism cannot produce them independently. Converting omega-6 into omega-3 fatty acids is not possible within the human organism. The long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid can be produced by the human organism itself or consumed with food. Therefore only linoleic aid and α-linolenic acid are called essential. In former times - before chemical classification - they were both called vitamin F. But even after accurate chemical classification nothing changes the fact, that they are just as important as vitamins.

8 Cardiovascular Diseases Today one can safely assumed that high EPA ad DHA concentrations contribute to the reduction of lethal cardiovascular diseases.

omega-3 are required to guarantee healthy development of babies. The infantile brain development depends on sufficient omega-3 fatty acid supply.

Sufficient consumption also seems to prevent postnatal depressions. Premature births occur less frequently if enough omega-3 fatty acid is consumed.

8 8 Cardiovascular Diseases Today one can safely assumed that high EPA ad DHA concentrations contribute to the reduction of lethal cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3- fatty acids also seem to have positive Influence in the scope of stroke prophylaxis (minus 30 %) Pregnancy and Lactation Period During pregnancy and lactation period larger quantities of omega-3 are required to guarantee healthy development of babies. The infantile brain development depends on sufficient omega-3 fatty acid supply. The mother s EPA and DHA reserves are responsible for adequate provision. At the same time the mother s omega-3- fatty acid resources deplete. Sufficient consumption also seems to prevent postnatal depressions. Premature births occur less frequently if enough omega-3 fatty acid is consumed. Furthermore it has a positive effect on complex brain performance of children during lactation. Eyes Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for structure and function of brain and eyes. This especially applies for DHA. The risk of macular degeneration also seems to correlate with low EPA and DHA levels. Brain Adequate omega-3 fatty acid levels have significant influence in the field of stroke prophylaxis (minus 30 %). Cognitive development in case of dementia and Alzheimer also seems to be positively influenced by sufficient consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. In case of depressions and bipolar disorders EPA substitution seems to be very successful. Reduced omega-3 fatty acid levels are also measured in patients suffering from schizophrenia. In 3 of 4 studies positive effects could be observed when the omega-3 deficiencies were balanced. The attention deficit/hyperactivity syndrome is often also characterized by lacking long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. The attention deficit/hyperactivity syndrome is often also characterized by lacking long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. 3-6 months substitution showed long-term improvement of symptoms. Its effectiveness is comparable to that of Ritalin.

Autoimmune Diseases Anti-inflammatory /pro-inflammatory immune modulators seem to play a major role in inflammatory diseases with autoimmune components.

9 9 Malignoma In the field of prostate carcinoma prevention it was observed that patients with high EPA /DHA levels seem to be less susceptible. The risk of colon carcinoma and mamma carcinoma also seems to be increased when lacking EPA and DHA. Autoimmune Diseases Anti-inflammatory /pro-inflammatory immune modulators seem to play a major role in inflammatory diseases with autoimmune components. Here the ratio of the eicosanoid basic products arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid is of great significance. The Eicosanoid-Balance seems to be important in genesis and maintenance of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, colitis ulcerosa, Crohn s disease, asthma bronchiale, neurodermatitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. Additional still pending intervention studies will provide final clarification. Based on own experience with disordered Eicosanoid-Balance, we are positive that its support will lead to significant improvement. Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Type 2 Where metabolic syndromes (diabetes mellitus 2, insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia, hypertonia, central obesity and nutritive toxic hepatosis) are concerned, differentiated examination of the fat metabolism is required. Only after reduced consumption of saturated fats and carbohydrates with high glycaemic index combined with exercises, a detailed analysis of omega fatty acid makes sense. We frequently find disordered balance of omega-3 to omega-6-fatty acids in our own patients. In these cases saturated fat and linoleic acid reduction seems to have positive effects on insulin receptor functions.

10 10 Biovis Fatty Acid Diagnostics Content of AA, EPA, DHEA, linolenic and linoleic acid in mg/100 g food Biovis now offers aside from a Fatty Acid Profile also Dry-Blood Spot Tests. These tests determine fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes. They are by far not influenced as much by dietetic factors as serum values. Analyse your fatty acid profile and learn about your individual cardio-vascular risk. With the aid of numerous new ratios (e.g. Budwig Index, Eicosanoid Balance and Lc Omega-3 index) the situation of the individual patients can be documented well and they help to develop individual therapy concepts. Recommendations based on your laboratory results may be as follows Reduce saturated fatty acids in your diet * (mostly animal fat) Reduce arachidonic acid consumption * One should always keep in mind that lack of essential fatty acids is just like vitamin deficiency. If it cannot be balanced by the diet, the consumption of dietary supplements is required (*see table on next page). Fatty Acid DryBloodSpot Chromatogram Myristic Acid Palmitoleic Acid Palmitic Acid Stearic Acid Oleic Acid Linoleic Acid γ-linolenic Acid α-linolenic Acid Arachidic Acid Homo-gamma Linolenic Acid Arachidonic Acid Eicosapentaenoic Acid Behenic Acid Docosateraenoic Acid Docosapentaenoic Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Nervonic Acid Picture 4: Gas-chromatographic (GC) Fatty Acid Chromatogram

Arachidonic Acid EPA DHA Linolenic Acid Linoleic Acid Food (omega-6) (omega-3) (omega-3) (omega-3) (omega-6) Sardine oil Cod-liver Oil Salmon Oil Pork Liver Egg Yolk Herring Oil Pork Heart Salmon

11 Arachidonic Acid EPA DHA Linolenic Acid Linoleic Acid Food (omega-6) (omega-3) (omega-3) (omega-3) (omega-6) Sardine oil Cod-liver Oil Salmon Oil Pork Liver Egg Yolk Herring Oil Pork Heart Salmon Mackerel Egg Halibut Venison Eel Shrimps Oysters Chicken Pork, fat Minced Beef Lamb Veal Goose Liver Herring Beef Calamari Tuna Saffron Bagel with Egg Kelp (algae) 4 Zwieback Legend: ALA = α-linolenic acid, EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA = docosahexaenoic acid, ** = arachidonic acid Malignoma = tumour, malignant tissue development Carcinoma = cancer diseases emerging from cells in epithelial tissue of skin or mucosa (epithelia) Autoimmune Diseases = Diseases caused by excess reaction of the immune system Metabolic Syndrome: The Greek term metabolic means caused by the metabolic system. One speaks of a syndrome if various symptoms occur at the same time. This term is frequently used when speaking about cardiovascular diseases.

12 biovis Diagnostik MVZ GmbH Justus-Staudt-Straße Limburg Tel.: +49/64 31/ Fax: +49/64 31/ info@biovis.de biovis Fachinformation 1/2011 Leaky gut Die erhöhte Durchlässigkeit des darms biovis 2014

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS - RED CELL

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS - RED CELL Healthscope Functional Pathology 1868 Dandenong Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia www.functionalpathology.com.au ABN 62 006 823 089 T 1300 55 44 80 F 03 8540 5555 infofp@healthscope.com.au LAB No: