What are omega 3 fatty acids?
In our body, the fatty tissue consists of two distinctive fatty acids, which are omega 3 and Omega 6. Omega 6 comes mainly from vegetable, seed and nut oils, and Omega 3mainly comes from fish and marine mammals. The Omega 3 fatty acids include the essential fatty acid Alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) and it’s longer chain metabolites (DHA, DPA, & EPA). In Omega 3 fatty acids, the first double bond is located on the third carbon from the methyl end of the hydrocarbon chain. For omega 6 Fatty acids, it is located at the 6th carbon.
The longer chain of omega 3 fatty acid is commonly known as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6n-3) is found in our seal oil at an average of 20 – 25%. In recent medical research, all of these 3 components have been proven to be vitally important in human health, growth and development. Generally speaking, their functions in our body include:
1. Cellular Membrane Components
The outer membrane of the human cell act as a gateway allowing raw materials in and the processed material out. This outer membrane requires a constant turnover of PUFAs to remain functional. Omega 3’s are an essential part of this replenishment. A shortage of omega 3 reduces the ability of cells to efficiently perform their function, leading to nutrient starvation and Chronic Illnesses.
2. Production of Eicosanoids
Omega 3 is also converted into another class of chemical called Eicosanoids, the most critical of which are prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are important for the regulation of inflammation, pain, swelling, blood pressure, heart function, gastrointestinal function and secretions, kidney function and fluid balance, blood clotting and platelet aggression, allergic response, and nerve transmission, steroid production and hormone synthesis. If the diet is inadequate, the omega 3 prostaglandins produced are either lacking or unbalanced, leading to dysfunction of these vital bodily activities.
In 1979 – 1980 research indicated that the Arctic Eskimo who ate a diet rich in seal meat and seal oil seldom suffered from heart attacks. Clinically, it was found that this group benefited from the long chain Omega 3 fatty acid enriched diet.
There are thousands of articles written on Omega 3 fatty acid. Most of these are based on fish oil research and hence they only mention DHA and EPA. The functions of DHA and EPA are well known.
DHA
DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid has been identified as an essential building block of the brain, nerve and eye tissue. It is especially important to development of an infants visual acuity and motor skills. DHA is supplied naturally through a mother’s breast milk and more recently through DHA supplemented formula. Harp Seal oil is an excellent source of DHA.
EPA
EPA or Ecosapentenoic acid present in harp seal oil reduces inflammation and blood clots within the cardiovascular system. In addition, clinical tests have shown people with diets rich in EPA are less prone to inflamed joints (Rheumatoid Arthritis), Inflammation of the intestines (Crohn’s Disease) Lupus , Asthma, Multiple Sclerosis and Skin Disease.
DPA
With Regards to DPA, which is only found in significant amounts in seal oil and in infant’s milk, this component is almost as important as either the EPA or DHA. About one third of the long chain omega 3 fatty acids circulation in human blood is attributed to DPA as the effective agent. It seems that in the blood vessel walls, EPA, may actually be converted to DPA as the Effective agent.
