Fish Oil and Omega 3, 6 and 9; what’s the difference and who cares?

Most physicians agree on the many health benefits of fish oil in the diet.

The hype about this supplement reminds me of the days when my mother, believing in the health powers of fish oil, made me down a tablespoon of Cod liver oil and I gagged for the rest of the day because of the fish stink it left in my mouth. Well, maybe mom did know a thing or two about what was good for us. Or didn’t she?

Cod liver oil contains both vitamins D, A, and healthy omega-3 fats. These two vitamins are very important to people who cannot get regular sun exposure year round, yet recent research has discovered that the ratios of these two vitamins are of great importance in order to extract optimal health benefits but unfortunately Cod liver oil does not supply these vitamins in healthy ratios to one another. Therefore I recommend fish oil.

Omega -3 contains two of the most important fatty acids which are EPA and DHA. Both EPA and DHA are in limited supply and can only be found in oily fish and fish supplements. DHA is important for pregnant and nursing mothers and for young children for healthy development of the brain and vision and EPA is considered the most important for everyone else as it is necessary for the efficient functioning of the brain and the body on a cellular level. Omega-3 also has anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties which are beneficial as they can reduce inflammation and can provide protection against cardiovascular disease, arthritis, skin conditions, depression, and other mood related disorders.

The body also constructs hormones from both omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are classified as the acids that tend to increase inflammation, which is an important part of the immune response; it also aids in blood clotting and cell proliferation. Some benefits of omega-6 are that it can help with bloating and pain related with PMS, maintains healthy skin, hair and, nails, and generally helps to bring about hormonal and emotional balance. Because omega-3 fatty acids aid in doing the opposite as omega-6 and decrease inflammation, it is important that both these families of hormones are balanced in order to maintain optimum health. The imbalance between these two fatty acids may contribute to obesity, depression, dyslexia, hyperactivity, and even a tendency towards violence. The dietary imbalance of these two fatty acids may explain the rise of such diseases as asthma, many forms of cancer, coronary heart disease, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are believed to stem from inflammation in the body.

Omega-9 is a monounsaturated fat which means is a semi-essential fatty acid. The body can produce this provided that there is enough omega-3 and omega-6 in the body. If a diet is low in omega-3 and 6, then the body cannot produce enough omega-9 and therefore making it an essential fatty acid which means more Omega-9 has to be added to the diet. Some of the benefits of omega-9 are that it lowers cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease; reduces hardening of the arteries and insulin resistance, which improves blood sugar maintenance; it improves immune function, and provides protection against certain types of cancer.

Exact figures on dosing have yet to be established due to each person’s own determining factors such as age, health, physical structure, and severity of fat deficiency in the body. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week such as salmon, herring, lake trout, albacore tuna, and mackerel, in order to support cardiovascular health. In order to know if a person is getting the right dose of fish oil, it is recommended to take one soft gel capsule twice daily containing 1000mg of omega-3, 6, and 9.

Once again, as much as I hate to admit it, Mom was right!

About Dr. Kashow

After graduating from medical school in Germany, Dr. Iyad Kashow worked for three years with the Israeli Red Cross as a general Internist. He came to Evanston, Ill. to complete his residency at St. Francis Hospital of Evanston. During his third year of residency there, he served as Chief Resident.

After completing his residency, Dr. Kashow became the Associate Director of the residency program, a position he held for three years. Dr. Kashow has been in private practice for over 10 years.

His philosophy is treating diseases not only by prescribing medications, but by addressing nutrition, stress and lifestyle habits and incorporating necessary modifications to optimize disease management.

Realizing the positive effects of good nutrition and healthy weight on general well-being, he has prepared “Secrets of the Mediterranean Diet,” a guide on healthy eating.

Dr. Kashow has extensive training and experience in rheumatology. He spent over two years learning to diagnose and treat diseases of the joints and connective tissue such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia.

He performs in-office procedures such as joint injections, when indicated, to assist his patients in achieving pain relief and optimal functioning.`

Dr. Kashow was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1993 and recertified in 2003. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association. Dr. Kashow is on staff at Rush-Copley Hospital in Aurora and Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.