Flax Seed Oil / Omega 3

[philipcooper]

I have read quite alot about these supplements and believe they may have benefits in helping with dry eye. I am wondering if these have helped anyone with dry eye. Also I have been reading about the dosage and have read a 1000mg a day is about right. Is this true ?

I have also bought two containers different brands of the supplements which both have omega 3 on the front but the ingredients are different on the back so was curious as to this. Is there any certain one I should look out for ?

[kitty]

I take Fish Oil and Flaxseed oil for another condition. My doctor treating me for that condition said to use Fish oil for Omega 3s, not plant based products and to keep the EPA and DHA each as close to 500mg as possible. I think the best I found was 350/450. I went to my local supplement store and asked them what brand would fill the bill. They said no brand would give you 500/500. The amount of EPA and DHA depends on the type of fish used.

With that said, I take 4000mg of Fish Oil and 1000 mg of Flaxseed oil a day. I have not noticed any difference in my eyes in the 3 months or so I have been on this high dosage. I took 2000mg of Fish oil/day previously with no appreciable benefit. I'm sure it's good for the rest of my body so I will keep taking it.

[philipcooper]

Thanks for reply. Looking on the back of the two brands I have got the first one has got:

500mg fish oil providing 18 % EPA and 12 % DHA
Eicosapentanoic Acid EPA 90 mg
Diocosahaxaenoic Acid DHA 60 mg
Total Omega 3 200 mg


On the second one I cannot seem to find anything about DHA and EPA it has got :


Three capsules typically provide.

Alpha Linoenic Acid (Omega 3 EFA) 987mg
Linolecic Acid (Omega 6 EFA) 309mg
Oleic Acid (Omega 9 FA) 309mg

The second product was the more expensive the first was very cheap. Can anyone explain if these are reasonably ok products or should I look out for anything else and any explanation about the EPA and DHA on the second product ?


Thanks

[MBC]

I began taking 1000 mg of flax oil every day because my doctor said I should however my eyes are no better. I will continue to take it because there is a bit of research that says it helps and I suppose it will not hurt. If you hear of any studies that prove it helps I would love to hear about it

[y-gwair]

Did you find this arcticle - I thought it was very interesting. Dose used for this year-long study was "two 1000-mg capsules 3 times a day"

The Role of Omega-3 Dietary Supplementation [Flaxseed oil] in Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2646454/

"Blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) are common sources of complaints from patients. To evaluate the effect on ocular symptoms, ocular findings, and serum and meibomian gland contents, patients with blepharitis and MGD were prospectively evaluated to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids.

At 1 year, the omega-3 group had a 36% and 31% reduction in their omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios in RBCs and plasma, respectively (P = .3), whereas the placebo group demonstrated no change. At 12 months, the omega-3 group had an improvement in TBUT, OSDI score, and meibum score. Changes in meibum content were observed in the omega-3 group (P = .21); the level of meibum saturated fatty acids decreased.

This trial demonstrated a decrease in the RBC and plasma ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in patients taking omega-3 dietary supplementation, as compared to controls, and improvements in their overall OSDI score, TBUT, and meibum score. This is the first demonstration of an induced change in the fatty acid saturation content in meibum as a result of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids"

[y-gwair]

I have been taking Cod Liver Oil (1000mg Sainsbury's Extra Strength) for a couple of years now, and wonder whether the relatively high amount of vitamin A it contains (100% rda, in addition any contained in normal diet) might actually have been contributing to dry eye symptoms, rather than helping.

Unlike water-soluble vitamins, A and D actually build up in body tissues, and I have also been having unexplained lip peeling over the same time-frame which can be a symptom of vitamin A overdose. Forms of high-dose vitamin A given to treat acne can actually trigger blepharitis so I wonder if, even in lower doses, slight excesses of vitamin A might aggravate pre-existing blepharitis/MGD. It hadn't really occurred to me that there was a difference between 'fish oil' in the form of whole fish and that derived from fish livers (with much higher levels of vitamins A and D) until I looked into it. I've stopped taking all fish oil for a while to give any excess vit A levels a chance to subside; am trying flaxseed oil instead as my ophth. recommended it, and a couple of studies I've read seem to suggest it may be equally helpful.

[bp77]

Thanks for reply. Looking on the back of the two brands I have got the first one has got:

500mg fish oil providing 18 % EPA and 12 % DHA
Eicosapentanoic Acid EPA 90 mg
Diocosahaxaenoic Acid DHA 60 mg
Total Omega 3 200 mg


On the second one I cannot seem to find anything about DHA and EPA it has got :


Three capsules typically provide.

Alpha Linoenic Acid (Omega 3 EFA) 987mg
Linolecic Acid (Omega 6 EFA) 309mg
Oleic Acid (Omega 9 FA) 309mg

The second product was the more expensive the first was very cheap. Can anyone explain if these are reasonably ok products or should I look out for anything else and any explanation about the EPA and DHA on the second product ?


Thanks

I think the best form of omega 3 is loveza , u can ask ur doc to give u. it is Rx. there is another one from NATURES BOUNTY 1400 mg, 980 mg omega 3, epa 700 mg, dha 280. I do not think u need omega 9 at all. hope this helps.

[philipcooper]

I think the best form of omega 3 is loveza , u can ask ur doc to give u. it is Rx. there is another one from NATURES BOUNTY 1400 mg, 980 mg omega 3, epa 700 mg, dha 280. I do not think u need omega 9 at all. hope this helps.

I do not quite understand how the mg work out on these, they are 14oomg, how does it come to a total of 1400mg what is the 1400mg made up from ?

Also reading earlier posts is it advisable to keep the epa and dha as close together as possible ? What is the reason for this ?

Any views appreciated.

These are the ones I have purchased. I cannot find anything about the epa and dha anyone know what it is if any. Very confusing stuff. ?

Also they are 1000mg tablet but what they contain is

One capsule typically provides: 329mg Alpha-Linolenic acid (Omega 3 EFA), 103mg Linoleic acid (Omega 6 EFA), 103mg Oleic acid...

These 3 only add up to 535 mg, how is the 1000mg worked out ?

http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowPr...ctFamilyID=494

[y-gwair]

Also reading earlier posts is it advisable to keep the epa and dha as close together as possible ? What is the reason for this ?

Any views appreciated.

These are the ones I have purchased. I cannot find anything about the epa and dha anyone know what it is if any. Very confusing stuff. ?

Some confusion here between omega 3 from fish and plant sources; they are not the same.

Omega 3/Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is found in both fish and plant sources. EPA and DHA are already present in fish oil, but have to be synthesised from ALA within the body, therefore Flaxseed oil won't contain a breakdown for either of these fatty acids. Fish oil is available with differing concentrations, depending on how it has been manufactured, so is a better source of these particular fatty acids. However, there seems to be clinical benefit in taking Flaxseed oil even though it doesn't directly contain EPA or DHA, or convert to them efficiently.

re. the 1400 mg, I'd guess that is volume of the whole capsule rather than just the active ingredients. Most of the fish oil supplements out there are '1000mg' but have widely varying amounts of EFA/DHA (both derived from ALA/Omega 3). Flaxseed oil won't have these at all, only the ratio of Omega 3/6/9 that is typical for flaxseed oil.

[philipcooper]

I think I understand a little. Would you say the ones I have bought are just as good to take as any other ? What would you say a dose to start on a day, 1000mg ?

[y-gwair]

Yes, I'm sure it's fine to take, better than some flaxseed capsules which only contain 300mg per capsule. Re. recommended dose, I don't know. Looking the research that have been published on the benefits of omega 3 (derived from both Flaxseed and fish oil sources) for dry eye, the dosages have been rather higher than 1000mg a day (6000 mg a day in the Flaxseed study I posted above; 3000mg a day in some fish oil based studies, with EPA/DHA content at the higher end of the spectrum). It may be that 1000g isn't enough to gain the same clinical benefit observed in medical trials.

Personally I'm not sure that taking high amounts of fish oil is 100% safe, based on concerns about heavy metals and vitamin A content of some fish oils (it would not be safe to take 3 1000mg capsules of Cod Liver Oil as this would take you over the safe amount of Vitamin A; other fish oil capsules do not give content for Vitamin A; whether because it is zero or simply not measured isn't clear).

I think the safest way to maximise omega 3 ratio is to take a pharmaceutical grade whole fish oil capsule in addition to flaxseed oil, either as capsules and/or as bottled, cold-pressed oil which can be used in place of other fats or oils (I've been having it on toast in place of margarine, it tastes quite pleasant). It's important to reduce your overall intake of saturated fats/omega 6 fatty acids, as well as increasing the intake of omega 3s.

[suzanneBlue]

HiGHLY RECOMMEND OMEGA 3'S - MY BEST DISCOVERY SO FAR

I started 1200 mg of Omega 3's shortly after finding this forum and reading lots of posts. I also researched the benefits and side effects. MY personal experience has been only positive and the single best treatment for my dry eyes and inflammation.
I take 1200 mg daily of Theratears Nutrition formulation of Omega 3's. They are large sofgels with a combination of fish oils and flaxseed oil. Withing 10 days of starting on this supplement my eyes were markedly better. After one month the inflammation of my eyes is almost gone, ond stringy mucus has gone away. And I can wear eye makeup again. I still have alot of discomfort in the mornings and use Theratears eyedrops about 4 times a day for moisture and protection.
My eyes had been inflammed, for almost a year. I had been diagnosed with pinkeye
repeatedly for over 10 years and that had been treated with prednisone/antibiotic drops.
Eventually that resulted in a cataract to the eye most often affected... with surgical follow up .....and MORE SYMPTOMS. I eventually refused to used prednisone drops again realizing how temporary the results are and how harmful the side effects are to your eye tissue. Also learned here that many eyedrops have preservatives - I've eliminated those. Omega 3's are my miracle and I am grateful for those who shared this info with others here on this forum. Plus - Omega 3's can only do good for the rest of your body!! (I'm a retired registered nurse). What a bonus !!
I did initially (first 5 or 6 days) have mild indigestion type symptoms but they have passed. Good Luck - certainly worth trying, especially if inflammation is one of the primary symptoms of your dry eyes.

[philipcooper]

Yes, I'm sure it's fine to take, better than some flaxseed capsules which only contain 300mg per capsule. Re. recommended dose, I don't know. Looking the research that have been published on the benefits of omega 3 (derived from both Flaxseed and fish oil sources) for dry eye, the dosages have been rather higher than 1000mg a day (6000 mg a day in the Flaxseed study I posted above; 3000mg a day in some fish oil based studies, with EPA/DHA content at the higher end of the spectrum). It may be that 1000g isn't enough to gain the same clinical benefit observed in medical trials.

Personally I'm not sure that taking high amounts of fish oil is 100% safe, based on concerns about heavy metals and vitamin A content of some fish oils (it would not be safe to take 3 1000mg capsules of Cod Liver Oil as this would take you over the safe amount of Vitamin A; other fish oil capsules do not give content for Vitamin A; whether because it is zero or simply not measured isn't clear).

I think the safest way to maximise omega 3 ratio is to take a pharmaceutical grade whole fish oil capsule in addition to flaxseed oil, either as capsules and/or as bottled, cold-pressed oil which can be used in place of other fats or oils (I've been having it on toast in place of margarine, it tastes quite pleasant). It's important to reduce your overall intake of saturated fats/omega 6 fatty acids, as well as increasing the intake of omega 3s.

You state it is important to reduce my intake of Omega 6, the capsules I have purchased have Omega 6 in would it be best to find one without it in ?

[olb]

i am using omega 3 myself, around 900 mg epa and 600 mg dha, without effect on my DE symptoms.

First, I took pharmaceutical grade capsules, without effect. They were expensive so i switched to cheaper ones. Also without effect.

If the high grade ones were helping, I would take them, but since i don't see improvement, I am continuing the cheap ones for a few months.

I have read a scientific article that omega 3 supplements are mostly "a poison" to human beings, because of the mercury, lead and other heavy metals. So I am sure that the high quality (expensive) capsules are the better choice.

[y-gwair]

You state it is important to reduce my intake of Omega 6, the capsules I have purchased have Omega 6 in would it be best to find one without it in ?

It's all a bit complicated and confusing I'm afraid. There are different kinds of Omega 6, some are more helpful than others, I'd guess the ones in Flaxseed oil are helpful as they showed improvements in clinical trials compared to the olive oil used by the control group in the study I posted above.

The body needs both omega 6 and 3 fatty acids, but not to the extent that intake of the pro-inflammatory kinds of omega 6 vastly outweighs the intake of omega 3s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3...2.88.923_ratio

olb, I started to take high grade fish oil tablets a couple of months back, I had to stop as they gave me terrible diarrhoea; I actually became very dehydrated as a result, which probably aggravated the dry eye problems. If flax-seed oil appears to have similar benefits to fish oil, I'd prefer to take this as it doesn't seem to have as many side effects as fish oil.