Which Omega 3 oil is best - flax or fish oil?

"Gary
I was interested to read articles in the Sunday Times and Listener over the holidays about Omega 3. One seemed to suggest we should reduce seed oil intake (flax?) as this affected the bodies use of omega 3 from fish sources, or affected some balance. At the time I was staying at Kaka Point in South Otago and getting a regular supply of muscles off the rocks. Have you any comments about the relationship between Omega 3 sourced from fish and omega sourced from seed oils?"

Brian
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Gary Moller comments:
Good question Brian: Without seeing the article in question, I can not be sure where the writer is coming from. However, I will make some observations.

While there are some differences between the fish and plant sources of omega 3 each have their nutritional merits. The body loves variety and I would suggest a mix of oils rather than one source alone. If you worry that one may interfere with the other, then take one for a few days and then switch. Variety is the spice of life!

I do have a preference for flax oil (Waihi Bush) because it is grown organically in North Otago and no happy little fishes died in its production.

Why does fish oil get all the good publicity and flax oil next to nothing? Well its a bit like sports drink or bottled water - or coffee and chocolate for that matter. There is big bucks in these products, including those of the fishing industry. These industries have the clout to buy favourable research and to get it published in the popular media. We do not get to hear of the young women who are hospitalised from drinking too much bottled water do we or, the Iron Man who ended up requiring intensive care resuscitation after flushing his body with a gallon of sports drink? We hear little about the addictions to coffee or the severe migraines from too much chocolate.

Flax oil is very good for you. It is great for a long list of health conditions. For example; if you have poor skin, eczema or psoriasis then flax oil may clear it altogether when used correctly.

Talk to Gary Moller (First 5 minutes are free):

My son has eczema - Please help!

Hi Gary,

I have a son who is 3 years old. He has very bad eczema and I have heard of a lady whos son also had bad eczema and found the allergen through hair analysis.

We have tried a Naturopath and homeopathics, and numerous other natural things and also been to a Medlab and had medical tests done to find the cause.

Nothing has worked.

Do you think that analysing a hair sample of his will concluded what the problem really is???

If you think that a child with eczema is a good candidate for this, I would really appreciate a reply.
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Gary Moller replies:

While I do make a lot of use of the HTMA test, I do not think it will be of much help for your son.

However; eczema and other childhood allergies is a topic I have spent many years wrestling with because eczema and asthma have been rampant in my family. While the conditions continue to percolate away below the surface, I can tell you that we have got both pretty much licked. Here is what we did:

• First of all, we had the children skin tested for allergens and discovered high reactivity to animal dander and dust mite - and pollens to a lesser degree
• We then had the house tested and found high levels of dust mite in the carpets and no shortage of animal dander.

Here is what we did:

• We ripped out all of the old carpet and eventually replaced with new carpet
  
• We gave away the cat
• We fitted allergen covers to the mattresses and pillow cases
• We fitted an attic ventilation system to reduce dampness and pollen in the house
• We scrubbed, vacuumed and dusted the house (It took months to get rid of all of the cat fur)

These measures brought about near immediate improvements in the health of the children.

We never noticed any improvements from medications like steroid creams and various other potions including antihistamines. Asthma medication worked but has now been dispensed with completely.

What has really worked for their long-term health has been the use of omega 3 oils taken internally and applied externally to affected skin. Here is the regime:

• Omega3 Smartbites twice daily and/or a teaspoon or so of Waihi Bush Flax magic
• Apply Waihi Bush Flax Original to the skin as a moisturiser. Wash the affected skin daily with soap and then apply the oil to the skin at least twice daily. Flax oil seems to have remarkable benefits for skin.
• You could add 500 to 1,000mg of vitamin C to the diet which is great for collagen and healing
• Eliminate refined foods like white bread, flour, crackers, noodles and most breakfast cereals. Soft drinks, sweets and anything with refined sugars, preservatives and colourings are out. No margarine or other processed oils. Use butter and whole milk. You can do much more with regards to diet; but this is a good start.

The biggest challenge with children; especially as they get older, is to get them to be consistent with these dietary measures.

Purchase some Epsom Salts and bathe your child daily in a solution of one cup to a warm bath. The magnesium and sulphur is highly beneficial for the skin, leaving it silky smooth and it aids healing and collagen strength.

All of the products mentioned in this article are available from my web store.

Please let us know how you get on and do let us know what works and what doesn't.

Choosing the right Omega 3 oil

There are many different kinds of Omega 3 oils to choose from nowadays. In this video, I run through several of your choices.

Nutrients for keeping your arteries healthy flexible

As we get older our arteries tend to lose their flexibility. They harden. This shows as an increase in blood pressure. If we were listening to the pulse of hardening arteries through a stethoscope we would hear a hard wooden knock as compared to a soft thud as the heart ejects each pulse of blood into healthy arteries.

Maintain sexual performance by looking after your arteries

Sexual drive and performance relies on the healthy functioning of a number of mind and body systems, including healthy circulation - the ability of the arteries to contract and relax freely. This applies as much to women as much as it does to men, so strategies to improve arterial health should be beneficial for your sex life as well!

All is not lost. Every part of your body is renewed with even the bones being completely replaced about every 6-7 years or so. So, one can assume that arteries can be softened up to some degree if the conditions are right. This starts with good nutrition and we now know nowadays that there are several nutrients that are beneficial for keeping arteries healthy:

Vitamin E
Vitamin E has been used for decades, if not longer, for softening scar tissue. Numerous studies have confirmed the benefits of vitamin E in improving arterial health. This ability to maintain normal blood vessel tone may partly account for vitamin E's benefits in preventing cardiovascular diseases. There has been some adverse, confusing publicity about vitamin E recently. Do not worry; the bulk of the evidence is in favour of the health benefits of natural vitamin E. Stay away from synthetic vitamin E.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for maintaining healthy collagen tissue. The extreme of unhealthy collagen due to vitamin C deficiency if scurvy. Arteries are made up of collagen among other substances. Vitamin C can also provide some protection of the blood vessels against homocycsteine which is one of the most reliable predictors of heart disease.

L-Arginine
This amino acid is the precursor to nitric oxide, and it is known that nitric oxide can increase the flexibility of arterial walls. Nitric oxide increases endothelial flexibility, and studies have found L-Arginine supplements helpful in angina pain and congestive heart failure. As people age the production of L-Arginine decreases and many experts believe this is responsible for many degenerative processes related to aging. Natural sources include: Nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chocolate, popcorn, raisins, brown rice, carob, gelatin desserts, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and protein rich foods including whey protein.
Vitamin C may further improve the activity of L-arginine.

Garlic
Garlic is rich in antioxidants and increases nitric oxide production. When cloves are chewed, crushed or cut, they release a sulphur-bearing compound called allicin - the chemical that gives garlic its pungent taste and smell. And it's the allicin that scientists have discovered is the magic ingredient thought to be responsible for garlic's many therapeutic qualities. Kyolic garlic and garlic oil are both potent sources of the active ingredients of garlic.

Alpha-Lipoic AcidThis antioxidant has long been used to treat symptoms of diabetic nerve disease. Alpha-lipoic acid works together with other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. It is important for growth, helps to prevent cell damage, and helps the body rid itself of harmful substances. It has recently been shown to be beneficial for blood vessel health. Good food sources of alpha-lipoic acid include spinach, broccoli, beef, yeast (particularly Brewer's yeast), and certain organ meats (such as the kidney and heart).

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
EPO is rich in the essential gamma-linoleinc acid (GLA), a very valuable fatty acid that is not found in many plants. It has numerous vital functions in the body. GLA is an essential fatty acid that the body does not manufacture. This fatty acid is known to help prevent hardening of the arteries, heart disease, eczema, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, PMS, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure. It has a positive effect on sex hormone response including the hormones estrogen and testosterone, aids in lowering cholesterol levels, and is important in treating cirrhosis of the liver. Research also demonstrates that primrose oil helps relieve pain and inflammation.

Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a family of more than 5,000 potent antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. Studies are showing the importance of these antioxidants for maintaining cardiovascular health, including healthy blood vessels.

Good sources of flavonoids include all citrus fruits, berries, onions, parsley, legumes, green tea, red wine, seabuckthorn, and dark chocolate. I especially recommend dark berries like blue berries, black berries and boysenberrries.

Fish oil and flaxseed oil
Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart, arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help to lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, LDL and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol.

Minerals, including magnesium
Low mineral levels, particularly magnesium, can result in increased arterial muscle tension and an irregular pulse. Supplementation with magnesium can include a bone broth and a nightly soak in a warm bath of Epsom Salts. A bone broth is also a wonderful natural source of gelatine

Monitor cardiovascular health
If you have high blood pressure, or a heart condition and you are intending to try natural therapies including nutritional supplementation, it is important that you monitor your heart health. Do this daily using a digital blood pressure monitor. Consult your doctor and discuss your plans. Heed any advice given.

These nutrients are good for you when taken according to professional guidance. Even if there is no measurable benefit in cardiovascular health from taking these, you may find a pleasant offshoot: healthy skin, hair and nails!

Health benefits of omega 3 oils

Here is a quick list the most recognised health benefits of omega 3 oil that is sourced from fish oil and the healthy vegetable oils, such as olive and flax seed oil.

• A healthy heart
• Support for concentration, memory and learning
• Blood sugar health
• Healthy joints, with an increase in joint comfort
• Fighting the signs of aging
• Healthy brain and nervous system function and development
• Protection for cell membranes
• Cholesterol and other blood lipid health
• Healthy liver function
• Relief of normal PMS symptoms
• Bolstering the immune system
• Healthy mood support
• Optimal skin, hair and nails health (eczema, psoriasis, dry skin)
• Improved quality of life

During winter you are advised to take cod liver oil because it is rich in vitamin D and A, both of which are essential for immune health. Thompson's now put out a vitamin D supplement which has fish oil in it. Flax oil is a good alternative to the fish oil sources and you could add garlic oil, either Wagner Aged Kyolic Garlic or Red Seal Garlic Oil. Then there is Evening Primrose Oil from Thompsons (all available from www.myotec.co.nz).

Most omega 3 oils are highly unstable, especially fish oil, which is why quality fish oils usually come with vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant which is not only good for you but also good for the oil because it prevents the oil from oxidising, including while it is circulating through your body doing its good works. When taking omega 3 oil, it is therefore advised that you take in some extra vitamin E. But beware of the synthetic kinds - seek out natural sources, such as Kordel's Natural Vitamin E. There are doubts about the health benefits of synthetic vitamin E.

People ask which is best? My response is to suggest taking a mix of all the various sources of omega oils - so fish oil now and then switch to flax oil and then add some cod liver oil and garlic oil over winter and so on and so on. Variety is the spice of life! And so it is with diet. Of course, your diet should be very healthy with fresh fish, garlic, onions, spinach and brocolli on the menu. A hearty beef bone broth is a rich source of minerals.

Which Waihi Bush Flax Seed Oil blend is the best for you?

In this video presentation I explain which of the Waihi Bush flax seed oil blends is right for you and when to switch between blends.

Available from http://www.myotec.co.nz/

Brutal murder of pensioner - Is there a link with diet?

"The murder of 77-year-old Doreen Reed was so brutal it attracted the attention of the FBI.
When Supervisory Special Agent Mark Safarik - a behavioural analysis expert at the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia - picked up the story, he made contact with Auckland police with an offer to help catch the killer...A 15-year-old Glenfield boy is in custody,". (Click on headline for the whole story)

Wayne wrote this:
"How does somone get into such a mental state to do this?
a dental anthropologist travelled the world and amongst native tribes on traditional diets he found nothing but pleasant temperaments.

A policemen in london, put young offenders on a wholesome diet and had an almost 100% success rate of turning the offenders onto the straight and narrow.

If we let the children growing up thinking its OK to eat empty calories, and take drugs, we will end up with more of this,
The States has amongst the highest consumption of processed food, in the world, and is one of the most violent nations in the world."
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Gary Moller comments:I wonder as well and it just so happens that I have been having discussions about this sort of thing with Impact Taurange, a charitable trust that provides residential care and schooling for troubled teens who have just about run out of options. This charity runs on the smell of an oily rage and most of the parents are not in a position to contribute much at all.

We have been discussing adding to these teens' diets a Blend of flax oil specially formulated for their needs. This is on the basis of exciting research that indicates supplementing teenage diets with omega oil may improve behaviour and academic performance. Impact Taurange wants to try it with their teenagers. Many, if not the majority, have been raised on suspect diets.

Because these teenagers are in residential care and formal education, their are objective measures in place of their behaviour and academic performance. If there is an effect from supplemenmting their diet, this should be apparent to their supervisors and educators and measured.

We are seeking a sponsor for trialing this intervention for a three month period. The cost is approximately NZ$600. If you can assist with this cost, that would be fantastic, as would referral to a potential sponsor.

Kordel's Omega 3 Fish Oil give-away sale is on right now

Purchase any products worth $50 or more before 11th February from my online store, www.myotec.co.nz and I will include a

Free Pot of Kordel's Omega 3 Fish Oil 1,000mg
(180 capsules) to the value of $25.88.

I am making this great offer from 1 February because we are going "bush" for a real Kiwi holiday. Any orders placed between 2nd and 11th February will not be processed until we get back. I want to keep my customers happy, so this crazy freebie is to make your waiting very worth the while.

Reminder: Purchase NZ$50 or more worth of any product and delivery within New Zealand is free

Are omega-3 products really the good oil?

Consumers buying foods with omega-3 may not be getting the good oil they think they are says Rufus Turner, a lipids scientist with Crop & Food Research. He and colleague, Dr Carlene McLean, have studied commercially available fish oil in New Zealand, that’s been manufactured overseas. They found it contains varying levels of primary and secondary oxidation products
"These oxidised products result in variations in the quality of fish oils and may explain the mixed results in international human clinical trials investigating omega 3 health benefits” Dr McLean said. Recent results from international cellular, animal and human trials indicate that the oxidised products in fish oils may have potential carcinogenic and pro-inflammatory actions. These products have the potential to increase the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis and reduce the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids..
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Gary Moller comments:
While there are undoubted health benefits from consuming fish oil, it is clear that not all fish oils are the same. If the oil is of a poor quality it is possible there will be no health benefits and possible harm. If you are buying fish oil:

• Do not buy product that has been sitting about on a warm, brightly lit shop shelf


• Purchase a known brand that is from a store that you know has high rates of product turnover


• Preferably purchase fish oil that has added vitamin E which stabilises the oil, preventing oxidation and/or


• Take a capsule of natural vitamin E with your fish oil


• Once opened, keep the fish oil capsules sealed tight and stored in a dark cool, dry place and


• Consume the lot in good time, rather than leaving capsules lying about for several weeks

Note: The fish oils that are stocked at www.myotec.co.nz are leading brand New Zealand products. Only small stocks are held and these are turned over quickly. For the industry response to the report above, read this.

Omega Oils - Flax vs Fish Oil

Despite diminshing fish stocks, the push is on to have us consume more and more fish oil. Apparently fish oil is superior to plant derived omega oils like flax seed and evening primrose oil. Is this true, or is it merely big budgets getting in the way of the facts? I am not convinced that one source is superior to the other from a health point of view, although I am tending towards being in favour of flax seed oils. What I am convinced about is that these oils, regardless of their source, are of undoubted benefit and the list of benefits grows by the day. Here are some basic facts about fish and flax oil ingredients:

• Flax seed contains Omega-3, 6 & 9; fish oil only has secondary Omega-3
• Flax Boost (A blend of flax seed, black currant and star flower) contains secondary Omega-3 EFA (Steriodonic Acid), as well as primary Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs. Taking these secondary EFAs means the body means your body does not have to perform the conversion from primary to secondary EFAs.
• Fish oils are often recommended because they contain Omega-3 derivatives EPA and DHA, rather than the Omega-3 precursor Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) found in flax seed oil. The thinking is that if these derivatives are taken directly, the body does not have to make them from the precursor.
• It is however beneficial to consume some ALA because it is thought to have some specific functions in the body.

So, if that has left you confused, don't worry. The guts of this is that it is a good idea to get your healthy nutritients from a variety of sources, rather than one alone. Your body will take care of the rest!

Having said this, flax seed has some emotional and convenience advantages (I am referring to Waihi Bush flax seed in particular) because:

• It is organically grown and free of pesticides, heavy metals etc
• It is from a sustainable source
• It is a vegetarian source
• Fish stocks need preserving - not further depletion
• Toxic residues concentrate in fish stocks, although we are assured that fish oils are free of these
• Flax seed oil is rich in natural vitamin E
• Flax seed is pleasant tasting, so can be used as a butter substitute on bread, drizzled on salads, or simply taken straight from the bottle
• Gram-for-gram flax seed oil is much, much cheaper

Why should you take Vitamin E when you take fish oil?

Essential fatty acids, such as fish oil, and flax seed oil tend to oxidise rather quickly. And when they oxidise, they form free radicals and lipid peroxides, both of which are toxic to nearly all of our cells.

Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants (with many health benefits), so taking it along with any sort of essential fatty acid -- including fish oil -- helps prevent this oxidation, which allows you to get the most nutritional benefit from the oil. This is especially the case with fish oil which is most unstable.

When purchasing fish oil capsules, look for the ones with added natural vitamin E. (Stay away from synthetic vitamins which are of questionable benefit). While they may be a little more expensive than the budget fish oils, the added Vit E more than makes up for it.

When taking other oils such as flax seed oil, consider taking a capusule of natural vitamin E with it.

By the way; natural vitamin E helps stabilise all fats in circulation, including cholesterol, thus reducing the possibility of harm to arterial walls by rancid cholesterol.

Handy hint if you love your butter

If you are like me, you will love your butter on hot toast! However; I appreciate that it is a good idea to reduce total saturated fats in the diet especially as we get older. In fact it is even better to replace those saturated fats with those of the healthy kind; like olive oil and flaxseed oil - the kinds of oils that come with a list of health benefits too long to list.

Try this for a healthy butter subsitute on on your bread: Waihi Bush Flaxseed Oil. Just drizzle a little onto the bread, crackers or toast and then add your favourites spread. Yummy!

Some fatty acids better than electronics at preventing sudden death

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say omega-3 fatty acids might prevent more sudden deaths than defibrillators in homes and public places or even implanted defibrillators.
Researchers at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., compared such preventive strategies in a computer-simulated community of 100,000 people that resembled the population of Olmsted County, Minn., in 2000.
By raising omega-3 fatty acids levels among the cyber-Olmsted citizens, Dr. Thomas Kottke and colleagues were able to lower overall death rates in the simulated population by 6.4 percent.
By contrast, automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, reduced death rates by 0.8 percent, and implanted defibrillators, ICDs, reduced deaths by 3.3 percent.
People can raise their omega-3 levels by eating fish or taking supplements.
Kottle said the research suggests raising omega-3 fatty acids "would have about eight times the impact of distributing AEDs and two times the impact of implanting ICDs."
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Gary Moller comments:
What continues to amaze me is how little traction these studies have on prescribing practices.

It was not that long ago that we considered food to be a rather passive contributor to health (Not sure if this is the best way to describe this, but it'll have to do). We now know that certain foods or food derivatives have powerful preventive and therapeutic effects.

So, for example, if a person has elevated risk of a heart attack or stroke, it makes sense to deliberately boost their intake of healthy oils that we know have important protective effects on the heart muscle and the circulation. (Of course, we would do a few other preventive measures as well).

Example: reducing risk of a blood clot; if, as the evidence is crying out, the omega oils have powerful stabilising effects on the blood, why would anyone ever want to prescribe an expensive and toxic medication that is based on rat poison?

Is it because, like vitamin D (derived from sunlight), these oils are cheap and freely available?

To me the choice for prevention is a no-brainer - who would ever want to cart around a bulky electronic defribulator!

Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency linked to PMS

A study conducted by the University of Massachusetts in Amherst that stated women with a higher intake of calcium and vitamin D are at a lower risk for the anxiety, depression, headaches and abdominal cramps associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
The report said up to 20 percent of women experience symptoms severe enough to meet the definition of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, including anxiety, depression, headaches and abdominal cramps. The study looked at the diets and supplement use of 1,057 women aged 27 to 44 years who reported developing PMS over the course of 10 years. The same data was compared to that taken from another group of 1,968 women who reported having no symptoms of PMS or only minimal symptoms.
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Gary Moller Comments: The list of ailments that has vitamin D deficiency implicated as a leading factor grows by the day. If you are a woman who suffers unduly from PMS, go see your Dr and ask to have your vitamin D levels tested. If the reult that comes back is less than 50, you definitely have something to work on. If your Dr wants you to take a vitamin D pill, consider the natural alternative first. The way Nature intened is to go and sunbathe a few minutes each side 3-4 times a week.

Sunbathing is a safe way to boost your D levels because your body has natural mechanisms for limiting over-production from sunlight. These mechanisms do not work with medication. Take care not to sunburn and get your D levels retested at regular intervals so that you know how effective your measures are.

Reducing high blood pressure naturally - Reporting Success!

Several months ago, Bob (not his real name) came to see me. His sitting blood pressure was a consistent 185/118. This was of real concern because anything over 150/100 represents a serious health risk and he was urged to consult his doctor.

Bob, now in his mid 40's, was over weight with a distinctive pot belly and he had a liking for refined and fatty foods, including meat pies. He did not normally have breakfast.

Additional to seeing his doctor, Bob was also given the following supplements to help manage his blood pressure and reduce his risk of a stroke or heart attack naturally:

• Magnesium
• B group vitamins with nutritional co-factors
• Fish Oil with vitamin E
• Flaxseed oil
• Chrometate multi mineral

In addition he was told to:

• Make some muesli using the recipe from this website and have it daily for breakfast
• Cut or eliminate the refined and fatty foods, including the meat pies
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Exercise daily, including doing sport and activities with his wife and children
• Steadily lose his gut (Hopefully, this would happen naturally with the above)

After 6 months and with a further consultation mid-way, I can report that Bob's blood pressure, as measured at the same time of day is now a consistent 145/95. This is a wonderful result and represents a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk.

Bob has visibly lost weight and his complexion and skin look healthier. He reports having more energy and enthusiasm.

What Bob demonstrates so well here is the power of a holistic approach to managing common health problems like raised blood pressure that would normally be heavily medicated. He also demonstrates the importance of consistently implementing comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle measures, rather than picking, choosing, chopping and changing. Lastly, he demonstrates that these measures take time to work their magic - several months, years and then the rest of one's life.

Some healthy tips for blood pressure management

For blood pressure do the following:

If you are currently being treated for high blood pressure, please discuss this with your health care provider before making any changes, thanks.

• Do a brisk walk each morning, including weekends before breakfast
• Do other exercise like swimming, tennis and yoga as well as the walks
• Do one very long walk up to three hours once a week, like a trail hike, taking in only water for sustenance (You might need to gradually build up to this one)
• Take one Chrometate tablet with breakfast and another with dinner
• Coenzyme Q-10
• Have one dessert spoon of flaxseed oil with breakfast, lunch and dinner. You could add a few fish oil with vitamin E capsules as well as a beneficial extra.

Take all of the above for a period of three months and do not miss a day. Top up your supplies well before you run out of any.
Monitor blood pressure first thing in the mornings and later in the day at the same time daily.

Diet

• Reduce or eliminate all refined flours and grains. Replace with wholemeal grains and oatmeal and give preference for starches like Kumara and other root crops.
• Little or no refined sugar, including honey and sweets
• Reduce dairy intake
• Use flaxseed oil as an alternative spread to butter
• Reduce animal fats
• Eat fresh nuts daily
• Eat fresh fish twice a week
• Eliminate margarines and all oils that contain trans fatty acids (read the labels carefully)
• Have several daily servings of fresh fruit and leafy vegetable, carrots, celery etc

If you are carrying any excess weight, aim for a very gradual loss over the three months using these diet and exercise guidelines.

• Find something to laugh about each day
• Smile and say "hello" to at least one stranger each day

After three months, review your blood pressure health including discussing your progress with a health practitioner if BP is consistently about 150/100 or higher.

Tufts Researchers Find That Omega-3's Can Reduce Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease

A comprehensive review of published clinical studies by research associates at Tufts-New England Medical Center has found that increased consumption of DHA and EPA (omega-3's), "reduces the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac and sudden death, and possibly stroke."

...... Studies published in peer-reviewed journals have reported that patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression may be deficient in vital nutrients: omega-3, folic acid, and vitamins B6 and B12. According to Dr. Barbara Levine of Weill Cornell Medical College, "Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, has been clinically shown to reduce severity of these diseases, so that patients are often able to reduce or eliminate medications that have serious adverse reactions."

Many doctors are now using Animi-3, a prescription-only product with specially formulated and highly refined omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, B6, and B12.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=48657&nfid=nl
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Gary Moller comments:

This is an interesting report, not because it is telling us what we already know (Omega-3 oils reduce heart diease, stroke, depression etc, or that B vitamins are equally important for health); but that it shows the insidious process that is happening, driven by big business to "medicalise" and therefore capture and control natural nutritional substances by way of packaging them into prescription only medicines, like the Animi-3 pill.

This process of medicalisation of nutrition should be regarded with horror and revulsion by all. First of all, good nutrition does not come via a pill - it comes from the widespread availability of fresh and affordable foods and encouraging their consumption. Only then would one supplement. Supplementation is wise in instances where there are either deficiencies of a nutrient in food sources, or where there is an additional need of the person, such as during illness or heavy exercise, or chronic depletion.

What we do know about any substance that is dispensed by way of prescription, is the cost goes right through the roof; especially when we factor in the bureacracy hiding behind the scenes of the prescription industry and the compulsory 5 minute appointment with the Dr to get the pill (most likely it will be the synthetic version of the natural nutrient). Government subsidy or not we the public pay one way or another.

Its lunchtime now, so I will sign off now and go eat my $1.99 can of Omega-3 rich sardines, plus a few 15 cents NZ Kiwi Fruit.

Waihi Bush Flaxseed Oil - good news and bad news

I arrived back in the country after a few days away to discover dozens of orders for Waihi Bush Flaxseed Oil flooding in to the www.myotec.co.nz store.

There had apparently been a television programme on Saturday that featured the Waihi Bush organic farm and extolled the health benefits of this rich Omega3 oil for conditions like eczema, psoriasis and arthritis. Of course, people got into the Google search machine and my website store was the one that popped up.

So the bad news is I have been cleaned out of stock, supplying the oil for kids with eczema and arthritic pets. The good news is that I have fresh supplies arriving from the farm tomorrow morning. The best news is that this latest stock is the freshest ever.