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Fish-oil-and-stress
By David McEvoy
Copyright 2006 David McEvoy
It is well known that stress can potentially have a negative effect on both physical and mental health, but recent research conducted by the University of Valencia in Spain indicates that high-grade ethyl-epa could possibly prevent some of the adverse effects associated with chronic or prolonged stress. Ethyl-epa is a concentrated and purified form of the Omega 3 essential fatty acid Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. Researchers found that ethyl-epa helps transport the stress hormone cortisol through the blood brain barrier. This indicates that ethyl-epa could help cortisol to return to normal levels, which is important when we consider that during periods of prolonged stress, cortisol levels can remain very high and pose a significant risk to health.
Previous Research
Previous studies have already shown us that Omega 3 fatty acids can help us deal with stressful situations. For example, an Israeli study by Yehuda and colleagues reported in 2005 that Omega 3 fatty acids appear to lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety and improve test anxiety responses. Stress and anxiety related to tests and exams is quite common and can be a major problem for some people and the implications are that increasing intake of Omega 3 fatty acids by supplementing with might offer some relief. But it's when we are under sustained pressure that we are most at risk of the negative effects of stress, particularly when we cannot relax and allow the body to return to normal afterwards.
A study at Lausanne University published in 2003 found that after giving for 3 weeks, there was a reduction in stress hormones. Also in 2003, Dr David Horrobin reported that EPA was effective for reducing cortisol and anxiety levels. According to Robert Sapolsky, a neuroendicronlogist and expert on the effect of stress on the body, sustained high levels of cortisol can actually damage the neurons in the hippocampus, the part of our brain we use for learning and memory. Indeed, a recent study conducted by the University of Edinburgh and published in February 2006 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, suggested that high levels of cortisol could be a cause of Alzheimer's disease later in life.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is an important chemical that is produced by the body to help us cope with stress. It is part of the "fight or flight" mechanism and without it we would not survive. It is at its highest level first thing in the morning and at its lowest last thing at night. Problems arise when we are subjected to prolonged or continuous periods of stress when cortisol levels are likely to remain very high for some time. Some of the health problems associated with prolonged stress include:
cardiovascular disease
depression
skin problems
digestive problems
memory loss
high blood pressure
inability to concentrate
decreased immunity
mood swings
fatigue
anxiety
feeling of negativity
How can EPA help?
Research has shown that people under stress have an increased ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids in their blood. Omega 6 fatty acids are known to be pro-inflammatory and result in an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids which can not only lead to many new health problems arising, it can significantly worsen any existing health conditions.
Fish oil that is high in the Omega 3 fatty acid EPA helps the body to produce anti-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids, reducing the risk to health and at the same time can provide some relief for many existing health problems. The following list represents just some of the other health benefits of EPA fish oil:
Helps the blood flow more efficiently through the body and to the brain
Increases serotonin levels, the feel good' hormone, the opposite one to Cortisol, the stress hormone'
Stabilises mood and alleviates depression
Alleviates symptoms of skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema and acne
Improves memory, concentration and mental processing
Lowers high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides
Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and stroke
Lowers risk of sudden death in heart attack patients
Boosts the immune system
Reduces inflammation and associated pain of arthritis
Conclusion
Stress is a natural and necessary part of life and can be described as any event, external or internal, that causes us emotional worry and/or physical distress. It is when it is sustained and prolonged that it becomes a major risk factor for illness and disease. Increasing our intake of Omega 3 fatty acids by supplementing with can play a role in helping us to face and deal with stressful situations. However, ethyl-epa in particular, would appear to be an effective, natural and safe option not only to help us deal with stress as it arises, but to reduce the risk posed by the potentially serious effects of prolonged stress.
Article Source: http://www.upublish.info About the Author:
David McEvoy
Dave mcevoy is an award winning personal trainer with over 20 years experience; he also owns high quality health supplement website that sells a high quality EPA in a VEG capsule.be sure to come a visit his site which is packed full of information about fish oil.
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