Bill Harris, PhD has been studying lipids, heart disease biomarkers, omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 testing since 1980. He’s a wealth of knowledge in the area of how omega-3 fats impact behavior/aggression, cardiovascular disease, triglyceride metabolism and fat oxidation and more.*

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Time Stamps

01:20 Omega 3s tend to be disregarded by the medical community because they are in the nutritional world.

03:46 The omega 3 index is a risk marker which can be affected by supplementation.

06:09 Every cell in your body has omega 3 in its membranes. If omega 3s are chronically low, your body wears out faster.

06:50 Omega 3s change cell membrane flexibility and fluidity.

07:35 Omega 3s are anti-inflammatory. They can prevent platelets from getting sticky. They lower triglycerides. They lower blood pressure.

10:21 Omega 3 can lower cholesterol.

11:02 Omega 3 and omega 6 work the same on cholesterol.

11:21 When you take saturated fat out of the diet, cholesterol goes down.

11:45 Fish oil pills with no change in diet did not bring down cholesterol levels.

15:17 You need both EPA and DHA, according to Dr. Harris.

18:34 Omega 3s shut down genes that make triglycerides.

19:44 Omega 3s may cool the inflammatory response.

21:04 Omega 3s don’t help with weight loss.

22:20 A study showed that fish oil help preserve lean muscle mass in resistance training and aerobics.

25:37 Omega 3s have been shown to be an antioxidant. Eat fish the day you cook it.

29:04 Individuals who have a history of violent crimes have low levels of omega 3s. Also, prisoners who cause more trouble in the prison, have lower omega 3s.

30:37 People with low omega 3s are more susceptible to panic and anxiety.

32:57 Raising HDL levels does not decrease cardio vascular risk, and some studies show it may increase it.

35:46 The omega 3 index is the amount of EPA and DHA in a red blood cell membrane. The red blood cell is tested because the amount of EPA/DHA is a reflection of the other cells in the body, and it is easier to access.

36:46 The average American tests at 4 to 5% on omega 3s, but 8 to 12% index is the target for optimal cardiovascular health.

39:20 A US Physicians Health study showed that a high omega 3 index is associated with about a 90% lower risk of sudden cardiac death.

40:43 Omega 3s prolong gestation.

42:53 There is evidence that omega 3s help both males and females with invitro fertilization and implantation.

47:04 Retest in 4 to 6 months.

47:15 Bovine digestion destroys precursors to EPA and DHA. There is a misconception that grass-fed beef is rich in omega 3.

51:49 Palmitate levels may be an indicator of de novo lipogenesis. Higher palmitate levels are associated with increased risk for diabetes.

53:31 Higher levels of linoleic omega 6 in blood are protective against cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

57:38 Dr. Harris’ Desert Island Nutrient: Omega 3 is the most missing nutrient from the American diet.

01:00:54 Dr. Harris’ Elevator Pitch: Get the FDA to approve omega 3 testing and get US government recommendation in an official dietary guideline.

01:02:05 Plant-based/land-based omega 3 products require gene modification.