The benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplementation from a TCM perspective
What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) are the healthy fats that are required for all mammals. They are essential building blocks of every cell in our body, regulating growth and reducing inflammation. Because our bodies (and our pet’s bodies) can’t produce them, they must be obtained from the diet.
Where do we get Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
The richest source of omega 3 fatty acids is fish oil. The highest quality fish oil comes from small, wild, cold-water fish such as salmon, pollock, trout, mullet, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and herring. Smaller fish are best because they are much lower in heavy metals such as mercury and toxic contaminants like PCBs and dioxin. The bioavailability of omega 3 fatty acids from plants (algae, flax, hemp, seed oils) is very low and therefore, doesn’t have the same therapeutic effects as fish oils.
What are the Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Fish oils are rejuvenating. They can prevent disease, restore health, and slow the aging process. Fish oils are considered Blood Tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Blood Tonics build and nourish all the tissues of our body.
TCM Blood Deficiency Symptoms
Many of the common symptoms of TCM Blood deficiency are the same conditions that fish oils treat such as heart palpitations, brain issues (headache, dizziness, vertigo, poor memory, anger, depression), ocular issues (dry eye), and skin issues (dry skin, hair loss, and brittle nails).
Research Based Benefits of Fish Oil
There are thousands of research studies showing the far-reaching benefits of fish oil.
Cardiovascular: Fish oil treats hypertension and heart disease, prevents strokes and heart attacks.
Neurological: Fish oil supplementation shows significant improvements in people with depression, migraines, adhd, psychosis, seizures, brain injury, bipolar disorder, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Fish oils are commonly used in pets for seizures, cognitive impairment, training, and behavioral issues including anxiety and aggression.
Cancer: Fish oil inhibits tumor growth, protects normal tissues from chemotherapy and radiation side effects, increases the effectiveness of some chemotherapeutics, and improves overall survival and quality of life in people and pets.
Vision/ocular: Fish oil improves dry eye and macular degeneration.
Musculoskeletal: Fish oil can be more effective than glucosamine chondroitin for joint pain.
Autoimmune: Fish oil helps rheumatoid arthritis and allergies.
Dermatological: Fish oil is effective for many skin conditions, hair loss, and delayed wound healing.
Fish oil is used in the treatment of obesity, liver disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.
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References:
Omega−3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): Emerging Plant and Microbial Sources, Oxidative Stability, Bioavailability, and Health Benefits—A Review Ramesh Kumar Saini et al.
Therapeutic use of fish oils in companion animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. December 2011;239(11):1441-51.
Therapeutic Use of Nutritional Supplements ©David Winston, RH(AHG), 2014 updated 2020