Newsletter November 1^st, 2007

Contents

What is Omega 3 good for?

How can you tell if you're getting enough?  (Omega 3, I mean)

How can you increase your Omega 3 intake?

Specials

Our Health Show

Hi All,

This week we're offering specials on Omega 3 supplements because of the important role that Omega 3 fatty acids play in the healthy functioning of our bodies.  We're drastically marking down selected quality sources of Omega 3 to encourage you to see for yourself what it can do for you.  Many of you already know, which is obvious by the popularity of these products, but for those who don't.

What is Omega 3 good for?

Heart - helps to control cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attack.

Brain - improves the ability to remember, concentrate and reason.  According to Mind Boosters author Dr. Ray Sahelia, by making cell membranes more fluid, Omega 3 fatty acids assist the transmission of brain signals and improve communication between the brain cells.

Emotions - a deficiency often leads to irritablity, and exacerbates that PMS feeling.

Mental Health - can be helpful in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, learning problems and other mental issues

Skin - detoxifies the body helping to clear up skin problems and can help skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

Eyes - improves vision and may  also help in avoiding age related macular degeneration.

Hair - helps maintain a good luster of the hair. Omega three has hair growing properties as it provides nourishment to the follicles. It therefore aids in faster development of hair and preventing hair loss.

Joints/Inflammation/Arthritis - reduces inflammation and may switch off the aggrecanases and other collagen-degrading enzymes that break down joint cartilage.  When Omega 3 and 6 are out of balance, the body releases chemicals which promote inflammation.

Ability to fight infection - EFA's have anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-microbial properties

Bones - facilitates the transport of minerals needed for bones and teeth.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding - necessary for the development of the brain and the retina.  Make sure that the baby is getting sufficient and there's still enough left over for Mom!

Kids - kids need sufficient Omega 3 to feed their growing brains and help them perform all the tasks necessary to achieve good results at school.

Pets -  Many people also like to feed fish oil to their pets especially dogs and cats as it enables the growth of a healthy coat and also helps them deal with arthritis, which is a very common disease among pets.  Udo's Choice Pet Essentials also has specially blended supplements for both Cats and Dogs.

And more

How can you tell if you're getting enough?

The balance between Omega 3 and 6 is very important.  Unfortunately, the average modern diet contains plenty of omega-6 in corn, soybean, and other oils in processed food. But omega-3 oils, are not as commonly available.  So many of us have an imbalance which is detrimental to our health.

Signs of Fatty Acid Imbalance (from the book "Smart Fats")

The following is a list of diseases which are related to or worsened by omega 3 deficiency  :

How can you increase your Omega 3 intake?

Foods
Fish, especially fatty fish - Wild salmon, scallops, shrimp, halibut, tuna and cod are all high in omega 3.  Deep or cold water fish has more omega 3, and wild fish has more than farm-raised fish. 
Beans - Navy beans, soy beans and garbanzo beans and soy bean products, like tofu and soy milk.
Flax, hemp and salba.
Walnuts and walnut oil,  olive oil
Winter squash, including pumpkin. 
Green, leafy vegetables, like cabbage, kale and broccoli

Supplements - Fish oils or plant oils?

Here we have to explain the make up of Omega 3.  It comprises Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), as well as the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).   EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is highly concentrated in certain plant oils such as flaxseed oil.

The body must convert ALA to EPA and DHA for it to be useful.  EPA is needed to make 'eicosanoid' hormones that regulate cell metabolism, and DHA is required for brain development, brain function, vision, and sperm formation, and has heart-protective and anti-inflammatory functions as well. 

There is some controversy over how well ALA is converted to DHA and EPA, with opposite sides being defended by the respective manufacturers of fish oils and the vegetarian alternatives.

Note: People with either diabetes or schizophrenia may lack the ability to convert ALA to EPA and DHA.

Udo's DHA oil provides a vegetarian alternative to the already converted DHA in fish oil.  Flax oil and Udo's oils can be added to salads or smoothies.  Don't cook with them though - you'll destroy the nutrients.

Omega 3 can also be obtained from Salba, which is a natural seed (not a supplement) and a relatively new product to hit health stores and is causing quite a stir!  You can add it to salads, cereal, smoothies etc.

If you're a chocoholic and like to indulge a little, a delightfully different way to get your rda of essential fatty acids is Udos Bija bars:

Belgian Oganic Chocolate

·  Made With Udo's Oil
·  Provides recommended daily requirement of EFAs
·  Mmmmm... tastes great!

What a great healthy gift idea!

We also have tasty drinks and chewables with DHA for kids.

Caution

Excessive dosage of fish oil can have adverse allergies and side effects on the body.  Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

References:

www.newstarget.com

http://www.omega3-drho.com/omega3deficiencydiseases.html#anchor_24
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alpha-linolenic-000284.htm

http://www.udoerasmus.com/articles/udo/fish_oil.htm

The following supplements will be on sale from Saturday 4^th - Sunday 10^th November, 2007.

850mg Trophic Super Concentrated Omega 3 - molecularly distilled (Fish oil)  (containing 280 EPA 230 mg DHA) 120 softgels 

Regular price:         $24.99

Sale Price:              $19.99

You Save:              $5

500 ml Flora Flax Oil - Certified organic

Regular Price          $13.99

Sale Price               $10.99

You save                $3.00

Udo's DHA Oil is always on special at Healthy Alternatives

250 ml

Suggested Retail price:      $20.99        

Healthy Alternatives Price: $16.49

You Save:                        $4.50

Our Health Show which will take place on November 17^th is shaping up to be an interesting and informative event.  There will be free samples, demos and talks.  So mark it on your calendars and bring a friend or two. 

Presenters so far will be:

Dr Neetu Dhiman of the Richmond Naturopathic Clinic

Proellixe Exercise Machine

Body Plus - Progressive & Interactive Supplements

Stop Asthma Naturally

Allergist - Eloise

Wholefood Farmacy

Salba

Enerex Botanicals

Family Doctor II - Therapeutic Massage Machine

Matcha Tea & Hot Chocolate

Viva Skin Care

Wishing you well,

Amanda