Fish Oil Drug Advertised on TV

At the end of 2019, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel endorsed wider use of an EPA-only (fish oil) prescription drug.¹

The physicians on this panel recommended this EPA-only drug to be used in conjunction with cholesterol-lowering statins to reduce triglycerides and other cardiovascular risks.

The panel based its recommendation on a clinical trial using this fish-oil-derived drug that demonstrated improved outcomes in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.²

Television ads now tout this fish oil drug as reducing cardiovascular risks by 25%.³

The importance of omega-3 fatty acids in preventing degenerative illnesses has long been recognized.

Fish oil contains both EPA and DHA omega-3s. These fatty acids fight cardiovascular disease by reducing triglycerides and inflammation, along with improving insulin sensitivity.^4-6

Studies have consistently shown that taking both EPA and DHA provides robust systemic health benefits.

A recent meta-analysis found that EPA+DHA supplementation is associated with a 35% reduced risk of fatal heart attack.⁷

The DHA part of fish oil provides unique benefits, particularly in promoting brain and eye health and helping to protect against certain cancers.

Life Extension® recommends daily intake of fish oil containing at least 2,000 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA to maximize benefits.

Some people require higher fish oil doses to obtain protective effects.

What are EPA and DHA?

EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, and both are vital for optimal health.

They are known to be protective against diverse types of chronic disease.^8-13

Some DHA can be converted to EPA in the body, but this conversion is limited.^14-16

For years, consumers have been educated on the health benefits of following a Mediterranean diet, rich in fish and extra virgin olive oil, paired with a high-concentration EPA/DHA fish oil supplement.

DHA’s Unique Health Benefits

DHA provides numerous health benefits that do not overlap with those of EPA.

Here are some key ways that DHA differs from EPA:

• Levels of DHA in the brain are 250 to 300 times higher than EPA, making DHA even more critically important to brain health.¹⁶
• While both DHA and EPA aid the growth and development of brain cells in young animals, DHA has a rejuvenating effect in the brain of older animals.¹⁷
• In response to oxidative stress, DHA is converted in the body to neuroprotectin D-1, which protects against brain aging, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and brain injury due to stroke.¹⁸
• EPA and DHA work in different ways to limit and resolve inflammation, providing greater benefits together than either one alone.¹⁹

Considering these factors, ensuring adequate intake of both EPA and DHA is vital.

Brain Health

DHA is instrumental for the proper early development of the brain, and has been the subject of great scientific interest for protecting against cognitive decline in older age.^9,12,16,20

In early life, inadequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to developmental defects, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).^21,22

In later life, fish oil helps maintain cognitive function.^9,12

One reason is that omega-3s boost levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.^23,24 Lower amounts of this protein have been associated with cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and other age-related brain conditions.^25,26

Clinical trials in patients with cognitive impairment that have focused on DHA have shown that people have significant improvements.

For example, one study randomized older individuals with mild cognitive impairment to receive either fish oil that was mostly DHA (1.3 grams DHA) or a placebo.¹² After 12 months, the DHA group had significant improvements in memory.

In another study, patients with mild cognitive impairment received either mostly DHA or mostly EPA.²⁷ Both groups had improvements in depression, but only those receiving the DHA had improved memory and verbal fluency.

In addition, people who died suffering from Alzheimer’s disease had significantly lower levels of DHA in their brains.²⁸

Cardiovascular Disease

Protection against cardiovascular disease is a well-documented benefit of omega-3 supplementation.

A recent meta-analysis of 40 clinical trials showed that omega-3 supplementation is associated with significant reductions in the risk for cardiovascular disease death.⁷

The study, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, concluded that supplementation with EPA and DHA reduced the risk of coronary heart disease, including heart attack.⁷

Fish oil containing both EPA and DHA fatty acids has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering triglyceride levels and improving insulin sensitivity.^4-6

Specifically, a recent study found that EPA+DHA supplementation is associated with a reduced risk of:

• Fatal myocardial infarction (35%)
• Myocardial infarction (13%)
• Coronary heart disease events (10%)
• Coronary heart disease mortality (9%)

The cardiovascular protection was greater with increases in omega-3 dosage. Increasing intake of EPA and DHA by 1,000 mg per day was associated with a reduction of 5.8% in the risk of cardiovascular disease events.⁷

Life Extension® readers have been advised for decades to supplement with at least 2,000 mg and higher of combined EPA and DHA to maximize health benefits.

Fighting Cancer

Several studies in humans and animals have shown that omega-3 intake is protective against cancer and even improves response to cancer treatment.^29-33

One review study found evidence that DHA in particular helps prevent the development and progression of breast cancer.³²

It works by reducing breast cancer cell growth and reducing contributors to breast cancer risk like obesity, inflammation, and metabolic derangements.³²

Another review found that high consumption of fish oil reduces the risk for developing pancreatic cancer.³³

Again, DHA in particular was found to directly attack pancreatic cancer cells, inducing cell death, inhibiting abnormal signaling associated with cancer progression, and reducing new tumor blood vessel growth.³³

Supporting Eye Health

DHA is a structural component of the retina and is vital for the proper development of the eyes in infants and babies.³⁴

In adults, it also appears to support strong vision.

After only 90 days of taking a supplement containing mostly DHA plus a small amount of EPA, individuals with corrected vision saw improvement in visual acuity (sharpness of vision) compared to a placebo group.³⁵

Summary

The two major omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, EPA and DHA, support healthy biology in different ways.

In published studies, fish oil containing a balanced combination of EPA and DHA has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, brain function, and more.

A study reviewed by an FDA panel of experts found remarkable cardiovascular benefits when using 4,000 mg of EPA by itself (along with a statin when needed). Other studies report similar findings when both EPA and DHA are used.

DHA also provides unique benefits in brain and eye health, and in fighting multiple forms of cancer.

It is important to note that anyone prescribed an EPA-derived drug should not stop taking it without consulting a physician.

Life Extension® recommends daily intake of fish oil containing at least 2,000 mg of EPA + DHA to maximize health benefits.

Those with stubbornly high triglyceride blood levels or other cardiovascular risk factors may consider higher supplemental EPA/DHA doses or increase their dietary intake of cold-water fish like salmon.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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