Fish oil protects vision cells

A component of fish oil not only protects cells critical to vision from potentially lethal initial insults, but also from those that occur in the future. The omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, and its derivatives "precondition" photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to survive.

DHA and docosanoids (molecules made in the brain at the onset of injury or disease) are responsible for activating sustained cellular mechanisms that elicit long-term preconditioning protection. A preconditioning PC stimulus is a sub-lethal or pharmacologic stressor that activates a counter-regulatory protective response to a future lethal stimulus. Preconditioning takes place when the blood supply to an organ is interrupted for a short time and then reestablished.

The protective response from that first injury would carry over to a subsequent blood supply shortage, much like the immunity a vaccine confers against future exposures to disease. This happens in the heart, brain and retina, as well as other organs. To harness the therapeutic potential of preconditioning, it is very important to identify the molecules directly involved.

Fish oil contains two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) -- omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid or DHA) and omega-6 (arachidonic acid or AA). They have distinctly different actions. Omega-3 PUFAs and their enzymatic metabolic derivatives, docosanoids, display potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties in contrast to the pro-inflammatory actions of omega-6 PUFA derivatives. The researchers found that although they are released concomitantly, DHA can alter the action of AA. When they supplemented DHA prior to the oxidative stress insult, the synthesis of protective DHA derivatives increased while AA synthesis decreased over time.

DHA and the induction of docosanoid synthesis is necessary for preconditioning protection, and thus daily survival, of photoreceptor and RPE cells. Omega-3 impairments are associated with neuroinflammation, which contributes to photoreceptor cell dysfunction and death, enhancing the synthesis of docosanoids may provide an opportunity for halting or ameliorating debilitating retinal degenerative diseases, such as the dry form of age-related macular degeneration.
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Omega-3 for treating ADHD

Omega fatty acids are an effective and safe treatment for children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD. Omegas, found in oily fish, are important for brain health and learning low intakes have been linked with poor social behavior and communication. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty maintaining attention, impulsive behavior and extreme hyperactivity.

The research also found that supplements with a specific ratio of certain essential fatty acids were the most beneficial. Children with ADHD have lower fatty acid levels in their blood than those without the condition. This review looked at randomized controlled trials (RCT) – the gold standard of human studies - which compared fatty acid supplementation against a placebo in children diagnosed with ADHD.

The debilitating disorder affects children's daily ability to function, learn, and interact with peers. And at present, families have very limited options for what they can do at home to improve their child's behavior and learning as most specialized diets are ineffective. A supplement, Equazen, which provides a 9:3:1 ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, docosahexaenoic acid DHA and gamma linolenic acid, is the most effective at improving blood levels of these acids.

Children with ADHD have lower fatty acid levels in their blood compared with children without the condition. As a result, fatty acid supplements, with the 9:3:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids provides a valuable, effective and safe option for parents who want to do more to help their children manage their ADHD symptoms and improve their ability to learn.
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Eat fish to avoid schizophrenia

According to new research, pregnant women should eat more fish for proper development of their children. Eating seafood during pregnancy improves brain development. Children born to mothers who consumed 400g of oily fish each week while they were expecting had higher language and communication skills.

However, the researchers warned pregnant women to avoid eating anymore than this amount due to the potential effects of mercury. For the new study, researchers obtained blood samples from a small group of  women in week 17 of gestation. Prenatal mercury exposure was also calculated by asking the women to report what they consumed halfway through their pregnancy.

Mothers then reported children's language and communications skills at age five by filling out a questionnaire. Resaerchers then performed a statistical analysis to assess the impact of mercury. For mothers who ate less than 400g of seafood a week there were clear benefits, such children performed significantly better on the speech and language test, the researchers found.
maternal seafood intake during pregnancy was positively associated with the language and communication scales.

The NHS encourages pregnant women to eat fish because of the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. However, they should avoid swordfish, shark and marlin because of high mercury levels. Consumption of tuna, which contains moderate levels of mercury, should be limited to two steaks a week or four cans, the NHS says.Pregnant women should also eat noT more than two portions a week of oily fish such as mackerel, sardines or salmon.
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Walnut increases good gut bacteria

Eating handful of walnuts a day can reduce risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia. Walnut improves digestive health by nourishing and increasing good bacteria in the gut.

Walnuts are rich in fatty acid, alpha-linoleic acid, fiber and they contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants in omega-3 fatty acids, phytochemicals and antioxidants.

Daily handful consumption of walnuts has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. It promotes the growth of good bacteria which have anti-inflammatory properties.

The health of the gut is related to overall health. We need prebiotics every day and regular diet for healthy bifido bacteria to become active. Eating foods containing prebiotics or taking prebiotic supplements is very important to remain healthy.

Walnuts act as a prebiotic, it promotes the growth of good bacteria that keeps the digestive system healthy. This will stimulate the good bacteria in the gut, maintain it and boost immune system.

High bacterial diversity is associated with sound health while low diversity has been linked to obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Omega-3s may serve as therapy for type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition that activates the immune system to destroy pancreas cell. When the cells are destroyed, pancreas cannot produce insulin.

People with type 1 diabetes depend on insulin to replace what the body cannot produce, new research discovered that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce autoimmune responses of the disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids can stop inflammatory process in the body, this process can stop or prevent autoimmune diseases.

Non-obese diabetic mice were used for an experiment, omega-3 was increased in their diet  and were tested every 3 months to detect glucose and insulin tolerance.

The researchers examined the pancreas of the mice for insulitis, they discovered that adding omega-3 to the diet of mice improved glucose metabolism and control blood sugar and insulin for 182 days and prevents autoimmunity.