Issues with the Fish Oil Study

Carol B. Blair, BS, DiHom, CNC

Wellness Educator

By now, most of you know how I feel about many of the “studies” performed in this country. The news coverage regarding the recent study on fish oil and prostate cancer is one more example of misinformation, indeed, that will harm many people.

First, the initial study was not even performed to evaluate the relationship between fish oil (Omega-3 EPA and DHA) and prostate cancer. The information was obtained retrospectively without knowing how many people were eating fish, flax, chia seeds, hemp seeds, or taking fish oil. For that matter, they didn’t even know if they were even eating fried fish with its known carcinogenic trans-fats. In fact, in a study published in Prostate in 2013, regular consumption of fried fish showed a 32% increase risk of prostate cancer!

Additionally, if fish or fish oil is harmful, why do China and Japan, who have the highest fish consumption in the world, have the lowest cancer rates in the world? Here in the US, meanwhile, cancer rates are off the charts!

Another thing to consider is that all fish oil supplements are not created equally. Many cheap supplements contain toxins such as PCBs, mercury, and other heavy metals and chemicals—many of which are known carcinogens.

Several other studies that were designed to evaluate the relationship between fish oil and prostate cancer showed protective benefits. As you know, I prefer foreign studies which I find to be more unbiased so I will start with one from New Zealand. Here are some examples:

• In a very well designed study in New Zealand, a 40% reduced risk of prostate cancer was shown with higher levels of EPA and DHA. This study was published in British Journal of Cancer 1999.

• As reported in the American Journal of Nutrition in 2008, The Physicians Health Study, which took place over a 22-year period, found that high fish consumption reduced the risk of dying form prostate cancer by 36%.

• A 12-year study of 47,882 men conducted by Harvard revealed that eating fish more than three times a week reduced the risk of both prostate and metastatic prostate cancer. Indeed, for each additional 500 mg. of fish oil consumed, the risk of metastases decreased by 24%. This study was reported in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention.

• All in all, don’t let this “study” scare you as I believe it was designed to do. Fish oil has many benefits for vision, brain, skin health, joints, blood pressure, lowering triglycerides, reducing arrhythmias, and yes, even cancer! I want to remain healthy so I’m still taking my fish oil every day. Learn more about the benefits of fish oil in our supplement series blog on fish oil.

B COMPLEX – WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THEM

By Carol B. Blair, BS, CNC, DiHom

The B complex family of vitamins is extremely important for the nervous system, and a deficiency of even one can cause malfunction of the nervous system. Of course, they play other roles too because they are essential for all bodily functions from energy production to the formation of healthy red blood cells. The B vitamins are water-soluble so they are not stored in the body and need to be replenished regularly.

Some individuals have difficulty processing the B vitamins, and for those individuals I recommend co-enzymated forms that are more bioavailable. These are not typically found in the average B-complex vitamin, but our knowledgeable staff can help you find one. Food-based Bs are also easy for the body to assimilate.

Here is just a sampling of what the eight B vitamins in a typical B-Complex can do for you:

• B-1 (thiamine): one of the chief nerve relaxants; required to burn glucose and turn carbs into energy; deficiency can cause an enlarged heart.
• B-2 (riboflavin): necessary for red blood cell formation and for the metabolism of carbs, fat, and protein; reduces wrinkles around the mouth.
• B-3 (niacin): helps regulate gene expression, the synthesis of fatty acids, and cholesterol; a severe deficiency causes the 3 Ds–dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.
• B-5 (pantothenic acid): a major stress nutrient; important for fatigued adrenals; converts choline to acetylcholine for proper brain function; reduces insulin resistance.
• B-6 (pyridoxine): responsible for more enzymatic reactions than any other B vitamin; important for the brain because it aids in proper gene expression, and the synthesis and function of neurotransmitters. Important minerals like zinc and magnesium can’t work without B-6.
• Folic Acid: helps form new cells; low folic acid causes certain anemias, some forms of restless legs, high homocysteine levels, and neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
• Biotin: is best known for hair, skin, and nails but it is also necessary for adrenal and thyroid function and balancing blood sugar. Requires vitamin E to work.
• B-12 (cyanocobalamin): must be converted in the body to the active form methylcobalamin so the latter is the better form. B-12 is necessary for proper cell division, good memory and energy. Methylation is important for detoxification and cancer prevention. B-12 helps reduce homocysteine and helps regulate the sleep cycle. Deficiency is associated with fatigue and poor memory as well as pernicious anemia which is fatal if undetected. This is best taken sublingually in the morning.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what B vitamins can do for you. Food sources include: legumes, nuts, brown rice, egg yolks, dairy, fish, and chicken. If you feel fatigued, depressed, or have a poor memory, I would highly recommend starting with a good B-complex. My favorite is Natur-Tyme’s B-Healthy which contains some co-enzymated forms for better bioavailability. It also has higher amounts of biotin for the hair and extra amounts of pantothenic acid for stressed adrenals.

Multiple Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is the antioxidant that most people think about when they are asked if they take vitamins. Because it is awater soluble vitamin, your body doesn’t store it so it needs to be replenished daily. Scurvy, caused by a vitamin C deficiency, is the disease known to soldiers and sailors for centuries before the reasons for the disease were discovered during the 20th century.

Vitamin C has many beneficial properties – perhaps some you didn’t even realize. Did you know, for instance, that vitamin C is a natural antihistamine? Many people with allergies find that taking 2,000-3,000 mg per day in divided doses reduces their allergy symptoms. Vitamin C also has some natural anti-viral properties which is why some people find these larger doses helpful when they have a cold.

Did you also know that Vitamin C is required for collagen formation? Consequently, it can be helpful for the skin, as well as cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and even bones. It also aids in the reduction of inflammation, improves gingivitis, enhances iron absorption, and expedites wound healing. Vitamin C is depleted by cigarette smoking, and it is recommended that for every pack of cigarettes smoked, at least 500 mg of vitamin C be consumed to reduce oxidative stress.

Vitamin C is concentrated in the adrenals and is part of the adrenalin molecule which is why, when combined with the B-complex vitamins, it is so helpful for stress.

Much of the Vitamin C content of food is destroyed by heat so the best sources are uncooked fruits such as citrus (oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, limes, and lemons). Other delicious fruits such as strawberries, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, watermelon, pineapple, and papaya are also good sources. Small amounts of C will also be found in red and green peppers as well as lightly steamed green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. Brussel sprouts are a surprisingly good source containing about 50 mg in a cooked, half-cup serving.

To avoid stomach upset, I often recommend Vitamin C be taken in buffered form. It must also have some bioflavonoids to make it work fully. Lipoic acid, another antioxidant, helps to recirculate the C so it lasts longer in the body. One of the few supplements that fit this criteria is Natur-Tyme Vitamin C – always ahead of the game! A food-based Vitamin C is also excellent but the doses are typically lower.

With its multiple benefits, I must ask, have you taken your Vitamin C today?