Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis (Blood) - Part 5 - MyHealth Record

Cardiovascular Disease

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The protective role of fish oils in cardiovascular disease is becoming increasingly well accepted by the research community. In two important studies, eating merely one fatty fish serving per week reduced the risk of a first heart attack by 70%,³⁶ and modest dietary fatty fish intake (2-3, 100g servings per week) significantly reduced the risk of death from myocardial infarction by 29% in men who had already experienced one heart attack.³⁷

Fish oils may exert their benefits in a number of ways, including lowering serum triglycerides,³⁸ fibrinogen,³⁹ and hypertension,⁴⁰ and increasing HDL cholesterol.³⁸ Platelet adhesion and aggregation have also been shown to decrease.⁴¹ However, a few studies showed a undesirable rise in LDL-cholesterol levels.⁴² DHA has been shown to reduce monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, reducing endothelial inflammation while the triglyceride-lowering effects appear to be caused by EPA (not DHA, though DHA is easily converted to EPA in the body),⁴³ possibly by accelerating the rate of triglyceride clearance by upregulating both lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase.⁴⁴

One major role of DHA appears to be mediating immunological responses which has significant implications for modulation of atherosclerosis and the inflammation associated with such responses. DHA supplementation has been shown to reduce the production of many cytokines in mononuclear cells, including IL-1 beta, TNF, and IL-6, which reduces cytokine-induced expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules, resulting in reduced adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells.^45-47 Similar improvements in cytokine levels were found in middle-aged men placed on a low-fat, high fish diet (1.2g/d of EPA/DHA).⁴⁵ Further, the degree of cytokine reduction correlated strongly with the degree of DHA incorporation into cellular phospholipids,⁴⁶ a parameter easily measured in Great Smokies' EMFA test.

Syndrome X, Diabetes, and Insulin Resistance

There are a number of dietary factors which have been shown to increase the likelihood of developing insulin resistance. These include a diet high in refined and processed carbohydrates and low in fiber,⁴⁸ a high n-6 to n-3 fat ratio,⁴⁹ and high absolute amounts of saturated and trans-fats.

In fact, without lowering total fat content but switching the type of fat in the diet away from saturated, trans, and n-6 fats and towards a diet rich in olive oil (n-9) and n-3 fats has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glucose, lower BP, lower triglycerides, and raise HDL.⁵⁰ Such a dietary shift decreases the number of eicosanoids made from AA and increases those made from EPA, thereby reducing inflammatory tendencies. Reduced insulin sensitivity is also associated with lower levels of DHA in cell membranes, and insulin sensitivity improves with increased DHA incorporation into cell membranes.

Autoimmune Diseases

Prostaglandins are known to regulate immune response and fibrous tissue formation. Deficiency of PGE1 and/or of TXA2 and excess PGE2 appear to induce hyperactivity of B-cells, possibly due to loss of regulatory control by T-cells, and to enhance fibrosis. Drugs that induce auto-immune diseases also tend to inhibit PGE1 and/or TXA2 production, as does EBV infection and possibly other viruses. In both cases, excess auto-antibody production may result.⁵¹

Using DGLA and EPA supplementation to enhance PGE1 production and reduce cytokine production may be therapeutically useful in treating vasculitis, amyloidosis, and scleroderma. Indeed, EPA/DHA supplementation has induced prolonged remission of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in test subjects.⁵² Diets containing both EPA and DHA were more effective than either fatty acid alone in alleviating the severity of renal disease in an animal model for SLE.⁵³ In human studies with SLE, fish oils improved inflammatory markers but did not affect either immune complex or anti-DNA antibody titer.⁵⁴

In rheumatoid arthritis, EPA/DHA supplementation has consistently reduced the number of painful and swollen joints and reduced neutrophil LTB4 and macrophage IL-1 beta production.^55-57

Conclusion

Fatty acids, once thought of as mere empty calories, have proved themselves to be critical components of healthy membranes and all local hormone signaling in the body. We now recognize they're not just essential but indispensable for optimum health throughout the life span. Fetuses require EFAs to form healthy nerve cells and the elderly need them to prevent senile degeneration of nerve cells, and throughout our lives we need them to maintain proper nerve signaling and function. Maintaining a proper balance between the various families of dietary fats (omega-3, omega-6, omega-9, saturated, and cholesterol) may be one of the most important preventative measures a person can take to reduce the likelihood of developing one of the chronic diseases of modern civilization, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, and autoimmune disease. And for patients who may already have one of these diseases, EFA testing and therapy has been demonstrated to reduce both morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases.

Related Testing

Glucose and Insulin Tolerance Test

Insulin response to glucose challenge and insulin resistance have profound influences on EFA metabolism and on specific eicosanoid formation, and may play a critical role in chronic inflammatory diseases. Helping your patient to utilize insulin and glucose efficiently and properly can have a huge impact on their overall health and well-being.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Assessment

The EMFA analysis should always be considered in conjunction with the cardiovascular profile for patients who have an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease. The EMFA profile may show specific EFAs to be used therapeutically to treat cardiovascular disease, and the Comprehensive CV Assessment can reveal other genetic, nutritional, and inflammatory markers which can help the practitioner develop an optimal treatment plan based on the patient's unique biochemical needs.

CDSA and Comprehensive Antibody Assessment

Many chronic inflammatory conditions have been associated with gut dysbiosis, especially many arthritides and auto-immune diseases. Gut-specific inflammation, such as Crohn's disease or colitis, may also produce altered digestive and absorptive capacity, as well as dysbiosis. A CDSA may be appropriate to ensure proper gut function. The related Comprehensive Antibody Assessment may also be useful in identifying specific food and environmental triggers of allergic inflammation.

Oxidative Stress Profile

The more polyunsaturated a fatty acid is, the more susceptible it is to oxidative damage from free radicals, radiation, and toxic exposure. The essential fatty acids are the most easily damaged fats in the body. Low levels of tocopherols or an elevated level of lipid peroxides would indicate a need for supplemental vitamin E to protect EFAs from damage.