Fish Oil: Excerpts from a magazine interview with me

The balance of fatty acids in the body can promote inflammatory or non-inflammatory states. Higher amounts of omega-3 fats in the diet have been shown to modulate inflammation and keep it within healthy ranges. The various cellular and tissue damage that can occur from chronic inflammatory states are certainly not healthful. This basic mechanism of action implies a wide-ranging and powerful effect of omega-3 fats to support wellness. Additionally, these fats are part of brain and nerve structures, so they help to maintain the health of those tissues, as well.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fats have been called “essential fatty acids” since the body can’t manufacture them from other fats, as it typically can for other types of fat. The optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is somewhere between 1:1 and 3:1. The common American diet has been estimated to be over 15:1, a marked deviation from a healthy norm.

The benefits of most other non-omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are not well-defined in the scientific literature. Fish oil naturally contains a range of fats, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and stearic acid. The ones that are considered less desirable, cholesterol and triglycerides, are sometimes removed from fish oils to further concentrate the omega-3 portion and allow higher strengths in fewer capsules.

All natural oils contain various mixtures of fatty acids in varying amounts. Omega-9 fats are best known as being abundant in Olive Oil, and are considered non-inflammatory and especially healthy if substituted for most omega-6 fats that are pro-inflammatory. Some natural oils are fairly well balanced, such as flax and hemp seed oils, or walnut oil. Others, like fish oil, tend to be predominantly omega-3. Most vegetable oils are mostly omega-6 fats and their predominance in the modern diet has been blamed for some of our poor health.

Some consumers do know about various sources of fish oil, and some have advantages or disadvantages. For example salmon is a favored source of omega-3 fats, though salmon oil typically contains less than other common fish oils. Traditional fish sources may be better accepted by those who won’t or can’t eat shellfish. The fisheries in Norway and Peru are among the best managed traditional fisheries on earth.

Krill, a small crustacean shellfish, is a unique source of omega-3 fats since krill also naturally bonds the fatty acids to phospholipids, which are essential for cell membranes and which enhance the bioavailability of the oil. Krill oil also contains the powerful antioxidant pigment astaxanthin, which is responsible for the color of shrimp and salmon. Krill is considered the best managed fishery in the world, with trained observers on each boat monitoring the harvest. The krill harvest limit can be rapidly adjusted to support a healthy population, and the total world harvest (most of which goes into pet foods) is only a fraction of the allowable sustainable harvest level.

Thyroid supplements

People typically seek thyroid support nutrients as a way to enhance their energy levels, enable proper control of their body temperature, and support a strong metabolic rate.  We take these nutrients, both individually and in formulas, in order to assure adequate levels to support optimal thyroid function, since a deficiency or insufficiency of key nutrients could reduce the operational efficiency of the thyroid gland.   Proper thyroid function supports a lean body composition and helps prevent fatigue.  Under the control of complex feedback and signals from the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, the thyroid gland regulates body temperature and metabolism rates, playing an important role in weight management and energy states.  By the same token, if any of the important nutrients are not available to the thyroid in sufficient amounts, metabolic rates and energy levels could suffer. ¹

Natural thyroid support supplements work primarily by providing precursors of thyroid hormones, along with various cofactors, in order to encourage proper thyroid function.  In some cases, the lack of adequate nutritional resources prevent the thyroid gland from maintaining optimal efficiencies, and if the gland can’t maintain healthy levels of its important hormones, then it can’t adequately support the body’s metabolism.  Unlike medical treatments, nutritional approaches focus on providing what the body needs in order to assure that the thyroid has its particular needs met and can function optimally. 

The key nutrients for thyroid function are the mineral Iodine and the natural amino acid L-Tyrosine. 

Humans require iodine for cellular metabolism and for normal thyroid function; specifically for the production of thyroid hormones.  Thyroid hormones regulate many important biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity, and are critical determinants of metabolic activity.  Iodine is a nutrient that can sometimes be obtained from the soil, but many soils are deficient.  Areas that are mountainous, very rainy, or prone to floods/erosion tend to have soils that are low in iodine, increasing the risk that foods grown in those areas will be iodine-deficient.  Table salt is commonly iodized, but those using non-iodized salt or on low-sodium diets can’t rely on that source.  Multivitamin formulas, thyroid support formulas, kelp and some other seaweeds, and some multimineral formulas provide supplemental iodine.  The U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 150 mcg (micrograms) daily for adults ages 18 and older, 220 mcg daily for pregnant women, and 290 mcg daily for lactating women. The Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) for adults ages 18 and older is 1,100 micrograms daily. ^{2-3 ]}

The common sources of iodine in dietary supplements include Potassium Iodide, Kelp, and other seaweeds.  While kelp and some seaweeds are fine for getting the relatively low RDA level of iodine intake, those seeking much higher levels are usually advised to consider Potassium Iodide.  This is because seaweeds typically contain less than 1% iodine, along with a lot of other metals and minerals - including some that we may want to avoid getting too much of - so consuming high doses of seaweeds on a daily basis may not be our safest option.  And iodine is a mineral nutrient that needs to be replenished daily.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is important to the structure of most proteins in the body. It is also the precursor of a number of neurotransmitters and hormones, including the major catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (adrenaline), which are stress hormones made by the adrenal glands.  In addition to these functions, tyrosine also helps produce melanin (the pigment responsible for hair and skin color) and helps in the function of the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands.  Because of these varied responsibilities and the ability of various stresses and dietary deficiencies to reduce tyrosine levels, people sometimes supplement tyrosine (as natural L-Tyrosine) in order to support proper thyroid function. ^4-5   

How do Iodine and L-Tyrosine affect thyroid function?  The thyroid gland’s epithelial cells prepare large quantities of tyrosine into a glycoprotein “scaffold” that is the structural backbone used to form the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).  The scaffold and iodine are both secreted into the lumen of the thyroid gland, where an enzyme facilitates the hormone synthesis.  Other enzymes then separate the hormones from the scaffolding in steps, liberating them into their circulating forms.  A few tyrosines are incorporated into these hormones, but most are left in the scaffolding structure’s remains that will be recycled by the body. 

Selenium is an essential mineral nutrient that is necessary for normal thyroid hormone metabolism.  Selenium-containing enzymes control the synthesis and degradation of the biologically active thyroid hormone, T3.  Selenium deficiency may worsen the effects of iodine deficiency on thyroid function, and adequate selenium nutritional status may help protect against some of the neurological effects of iodine deficiency.   Additionally, selenium-based antioxidant enzymes protect the thyroid gland from peroxides produced during the synthesis of these hormones. ^{2, 3, 6}

Zinc, another essential mineral responsible for hundreds of critical chemical reactions in the healthy human, is also important for maintaining normal thyroid homeostasis. Its complex roles include effects on both the synthesis and mode of action of the hormones.  Thyroid hormone binding transcription factors, which are essential for modulating gene expression, contain zinc bound to cysteine-related compounds.   In some studies, low zinc status was associated with decreased thyroid hormone levels.  ³

Copper is believed to have a role in thyroid hormone function, perhaps related to selenium status. ³

Guggul (Commiphora mukul) is an Indian Ayurvedic herb that contains the active compound Guggulsterone, which has been shown to stimulate thyroid activity. ^7-8

 
These ingredients, both singly and as thyroid support formulas, are in demand by consumers wanting to assure adequate thyroid function in times of dietary insufficiencies and various stresses.  Of course, these nutrients and their many functions in the body have a host of potential benefits to those supplementing with them if they may not get adequate amounts from their diet for their individual requirements. 

 

REFERENCES

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1.  Zoeller RT, Tan SW, Tyl RW. General background on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2007 Jan-Feb;37(1-2):11-53. Review. PubMed PMID: 17364704.
2. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
3. Arthur JR, Beckett GJ. Thyroid function. Br Med Bull. 1999;55(3):658-68. Review. PubMed PMID: 10746354.
4. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/tyrosine-000329.htm
5. http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/thyroid/synthesis.html
6. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/selenium/
7. http://www.drugs.com/npp/guggul.html
8. http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2005/10/18/guggul/

NYT Hatchet Job on Senator Hatch

Re: “Support Is Mutual for Senator and Utah Industry” (The Champions, June 20, New York Times)

The article presented an inaccurate impression regarding the nutritional supplement industry. Despite heavy costs, manufacturers supported federal regulations creating more rules/enforcement to enhance accountability and public safety. A 1994 law (DSHEA) regulating the dietary supplement industry allows only FDA-approved ingredients and scientifically-supported claims relating to healthy body structures and functions; besides FDA-approved claims.

Additional regulations supported by industry: DSHEA’s mandatory Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requiring safety and identity testing, steroids and their precursors are banned; manufacturers must promptly disclose adverse events requiring medical attention; mandatory safety recall authority.  

Senator McCain’s proposed dietary supplement regulation would have subjected each new product introduction to prior FDA approval, expanding the federal bureaucracy with a government takeover of the industry. Importing this Canadian-style regulatory scheme would duplicate that system’s failures: half as many products available; some considered safe in the USA are banned; long waits for variations of existing products; higher prices.

Fortunately, the American people rejected giving government bureaucrats veto authority over all new nutritional products, which already must use preapproved ingredients. We view this as anti-capitalism and un-American.

Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA

Clinical Nutritionist

HonestNutrition.com

re:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/us/politics/21hatch.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

My Interview on Memory and Brain Health for a trade magazine

The brain must be intact and healthy in order for it to perform normal functions like thought and memory. There is evidence that chronic or acute inflammation, or other insults to brain cells/tissues from chemicals or other damaging agents, can provoke negative health effects. In essence, the brain is literally under attack on a daily basis, requiring a constant infusion of supporting protective nutrients to maintain proper brain health and functionality.

Antioxidants and magnesium are key nutrients needed to protect the brain from chemicals called excitotoxins, such as MSG, which are damaging to brain cells when levels of various nutrients are insufficient to control them. The physical damage to brain cells that can be caused by oxidation, sometimes in the form of a bio-electrical spark causing a chain reaction that rips electrons from a string of innocent cells until an antioxidant ‘electron donor’ puts an end to it, can be prevented or stopped by antioxidants. Antioxidants also protect fats from oxidizing (going rancid), and since the brain is nearly half fat it is dependent on both fatty acids and antioxidants to protect its structural integrity.

While it is normally not necessary to see a physician before taking a brain/memory support dietary supplement, people on medications should always check if there are known interactions before using any new supplement and it is wise to always bring a list of your supplements to share with your doctor at your annual check-up. Those with known memory problems should request a medical evaluation to set a baseline level in order to maintain their mental assets and be able to compare future mental performance.

To aid this preservation of our mental faculties, it is obviously best to consume adequate levels of relevant protective nutrients for many years, rather than waiting until the senility of old age creeps up on us and then trying to regain lost abilities. Otherwise, careful eating and appropriate supplementation may be started ‘too little, too late.’

The best mental/brain support nutrients include some surprisingly ordinary ingredients: Lecithin, Vitamins A-E, and Antioxidants. Lecithin provides essential phospholipids for the brain, nerves, and cell membranes; including Choline, Serine, and other brain nutrients that directly support neurotransmitter production and memory. Lecithin’s Phosphatidyl Choline (PC) is a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine; in the central nervous system acetylcholine is involved in learning, memory, and mood. Phosphatidylserine (PS) also affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain related to mood, memory, and mental function.

Lecithin, which is a highly processed extract of soybean oil, does not in itself contain protein (allergens) or genetic material (GMOs), which the original soybeans may have contained. Some Lecithin products are derived from certified non-GMO soybeans or even sunflower seeds.

Another way to get Lecithin’s benefits is in the form of Krill Oil. Krill has its Omega-3 fatty acids bonded to phospholipids similar to those found in soy or egg lecithin. So krill not only supplies EPA, DHA, and phospholipids for brain, nerve, and membrane health but also enhances their bioavailability and access to the brain due to the ability of phospholipids to cross the blood-brain barrier better than ordinary fish oils. Fish Oils providing EPA and DHA should also be considered brain nutrients, as DHA is a significant physical component of the brain.

Vitamin E and its related compounds (the tocotrienols) have been shown to protect neurons (brain and nerve cells) from being damaged or even killed off by excitotoxic chemicals. The antioxidant benefits of this essential vitamin’s “family” of compounds also help to prevent oxidative reactions that can damage brain tissues. Look for gamma-tocopherol along with the usual alpha-tocopherol plus higher amounts of gamma- and delta- form tocotrienols.

Vitamin C directly pumps excitotoxins from neurons, protecting the brain and nerve cells from being damaged by these potentially toxic chemicals. There are several populations with impaired ascorbate absorption; including those with poor insulin sensitivity, those with gut inflammation, those who take aspirin, and those on low sodium diets; all situations where normal vitamin C uptake and utilization is often suboptimal.

Other antioxidants of benefit for brain health include Alpha Lipoic Acid, various carotenoids including Astaxanthin (also found in Krill oil), and Pycnogenol®. In addition to supplementation, it always helps to consume a variety of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to maintain a good level and balance of antioxidants.

The formation of abnormal structures in the brain may in part be due to oxidative damage that perhaps can be kept within normal acceptable ranges by having a variety of antioxidant nutrients available. Genes in the subject cells are controlled by “switches,” that are in turn modulated by environmental “triggers.” The presence of various protective nutrients helps to maintain proper cellular health; whereas the deficiency of adequate protective nutrients can allow potentially damaging effects, leading to cell death and the subsequent formation of abnormal brain structures.

The presence of excessive amounts of saturated fats in the diet, especially if from an excess of processed foods, inevitably reduces the amount of available long-chain fatty acids EPA and DHA (DHA can be made from EPA) that are essential for brain and nerve health. The deficit of these two fatty acids increases the likelihood of uncontrolled inflammatory processes in the body, as an imbalance of beneficial dietary fats like EPA, DHA and GLA that can reduce the fatty acids needed to make prostaglandins responsible for maintaining a healthy inflammatory response. The fact that EPA is needed for healthy membranes throughout the body and DHA is an important constituent of the brain itself also testify to the importance of these fatty acids for healthy brain structures and functions, including memory.

• Natural antioxidant vitamins Beta-Carotene, C, and E are protective of brain tissues and are available in antioxidant formulas and multiple vitamins..

• Alpha GPC is a form of choline that is bioavailable to the brain; an acetylcholine precursor, it supports memory and cognitive acuity.

• DMAE is a naturally occurring amino metabolite known primarily as a precursor to choline and acetylcholine, chemicals in the brain responsible for nerve transmissions and cognitive function; DMAE has been used most predominantly to improve memory and focus while stimulating neural activity.

• NADH is a metabolite of niacin (vitamin B3) that is directly involved in neurotransmitter production to support mental alertness.

• Ginkgo biloba extract is thought to improve memory and quality of life, and is available in various strengths.

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a form of an important amino acid, which in short-term studies has improved memory in older adults.

• Vitamin B1 deficiencies have been associated with confusion and memory loss in seniors deficient in that nutrient.

• High strength fish oils and Krill oil supply the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA that are important brain and nerve components often deficient in the general population.

• Genistein, a phytoestrogen found in Soy Protein Isolates and Soy Isoflavones, has been shown to act as an antioxidant to preserve brain cell integrity.

• Ashwagandha has been shown to be protective of brain cells in non-clinical laboratory experiments.

Prenatal vitamins lower autism risk in children

Taking prenatal vitamins lowers the risk of having an autistic child by 700% for genetically susceptible mothers. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525112109.htm

Essential Oil Quality and Grades

Essential oils are by definition produced in one of two ways:

• Steam distillation (most herbs)
• Cold pressing (citrus and a few herbs)

These two methods produce a single grade of oil called an essential oil. If produced by solvent extraction, a different term is used, such as absolute oil or extract.

Different brands of essential oils made from the same species of plant made appropriately by either of the two methods listed above are by definition the same grade. Of course, like any botanical, the sensory qualities but not the basic chemistry of a species can change a bit depending on where it's grown, just as olives and grapes do, without affecting quality or grade.

There are three basic analytical tests to determine quality and identity of essential oils:

• Sensory testing performed by trained testers
• Infrared spectrum analysis (IR) that produces a chemical fingerprint of the oil
• Gas chromatography (GC) that produces a separation and quantification of individual chemical components in the oil

These techniques are used with all samples having to match strict specifications, official standards and reference samples to pass quality control before they can be sold by manufacturers following strict quality procedures. Reputable reference works used by oil chemists, such as the Guenther series, guide the testing.

If the original plant is edible then the essential oil is by definition food grade. Some examples are the citrus oils, peppermint, oregano, etc. If the plant is not edible then the oil is also not considered food grade; as with cedarwood, pennyroyal, or ylang ylang. Due to the small bottle size and the need for cautions, there is not typically a food label on these oils.

Much caution needs to be taken with these oils, as they are extremely concentrated and most can burn the skin and mouth if not diluted adequately, even if food grade. Don't swig them or apply undiluted to the skin if you don't know how to use the specific type of oil in question.

Neil gives keynote presentation at conference in Beijing

I gave a presentation on "Health Benefits of Wholegrain Diets" April 20th in Beijing: This 2-day Whole Grain Forum was part of the Third International Nutrition & Healthy Industry Expo organized by the Center for Public Nutrition and Development of China (PNDC) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), along with US-based Grains for Health Fdtn and Whole Grains Council.


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