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EPA and DHA omega-3s from food and supplements may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to results of a new meta-analysis. Data from 18 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicated that EPA and DHA were associated with a non-statistically significant 6% risk reduction in CHD among all populations, while the risk reduction increased to a statistically significant 18% when data from 16 prospective cohort studies was assessed.   The findings of the meta-analysis, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings , also indicated that among RCTs there was a statistically significant reduction in CHD risk in higher risk populations,...

You may have read about it online or even experienced it yourself: cloudy softgels. If you store your supplements in the fridge or if they’re delivered to your door during cold weather, your softgels might appear cloudy. What’s up with that? Is it bad? Is it still safe?  Why Do My Fish Oils Get Cloudy When They’re Cold? The most basic answer is this: different kinds of fats have different melting points, meaning they solidify at different temperatures, giving them a cloudy appearance. “Omega-3 fatty acids (what fish oil is comprised of) are a type of polyunsaturated fat,” Wells said. “Polyunsaturated...

A trial reported in 2016 indicates that supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can help improve major depression. The study shows that both high levels of EPA+DHA at baseline and supplementation with these two omega 3 fatty acids result in favorable post-treatment outcomes in major depression patients. Previous studies have revealed that EPA and DHA levels in red blood cells are low in patients with major depression suggesting that supplementation with these omega 3 fatty acids may help treat major depression. For the trial, EPA, DHA and omega 6 fatty acid arachidonic acid...

New research suggests that eating a Mediterranean diet may prolong the lives of heart patients. “Adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of overall mortality, not only in the general population — which is already known, but in patients who already suffered a heart attack,” said study researcher Dr. Giovanni de Gaetano. He is head of the department of epidemiology and prevention at the I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed Institute in Pozzilli, Italy. “All-cause death was significantly reduced both in the people following the medium-level Mediterranean diet, but especially in people who followed faithfully the Mediterranean diet,” Dr. de Gaetano added. “The...

Probiotics are microorganisms that offer some form of health benefit to the host – they can be found in various different foods. Probiotics are believed to play very important roles in regulating proper intestinal function and digestion – by balancing intestinal microflora. These ‘good bacteria’ are considered to be “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”, according to the World Health Organization1. Probiotics are normally consumed in fermented foods with active live cultures such as yogurt. Probiotics are also available in supplement form as capsules, liquid and chewables. There are many different strains...