The Science & The Story - Behind Omega 3

In this episode, Dr. Kevin Maki discusses the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health, covering key research findings, recommended intake levels, and the benefits of omega-3 index testing. He also addresses how personalized nutrition can improve outcomes, the challenges in measuring omega-3 levels, and the balance between saturated and unsaturated fats. The conversation explores the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio and ways to raise awareness for better heart health through improved dietary choices.

2:24 Overview of fatty acids and their effects on cardiovascular health

4:22 Key findings of omega-3s and cardiovascular health and treatment

7:17 Recommended omega-3 intake

11:07 Factors influencing individual responses to omega-3 consumption

13:31 Benefits of testing omega-3 index for consumers

15:23 Which fatty acid is superior for cardiovascular health

17:35 Challenges in measuring omega-3 status and its impact on research

19:37 Precision Health and the role of personalized nutrition

21:13 Ways to increase awareness of omega-3s and improve dietary outcomes

22:42 Comparing saturated vs. unsaturated fats

26:20 Omega-3 to omega-6 ratio

In this episode, Dr. David Mutch discusses the intricate connections

between genetics, diet, and cardiometabolic health, focusing on how genetic

factors influence the risk of complications. We explore the role of omega-3s

in mitigating these risks and dive into personalized nutrition, explaining the

differences between high and low converters of omega-3. Dr. Mutch also

highlights non-invasive methods for checking omega-3 status, offering

practical tips for optimizing intake. This episode provides a concise

understanding of how omega-3s can be tailored to individual health needs.

(2:30) Key Factors in Cardiometabolic Health

(5:18) Omega-3's Role in Cardiometabolic Health

(7:14) Genetic Influence on Omega-3 Metabolism

(12:30) High vs. Low Omega-3 Converters

(18:00) Are You a High or Low Converter?

(19:00) Types of Omega-3 and Their Health Effects

(24:00) DIet, Genetics, and Lipid Metabolism

(28:45) Non-Invasive Omega-3 Status Testing

Resources:

Mutch Lab https://www.mutchlab.uoguelph.ca/

Lifestyle Genomics https://karger.com/lfg

Nutrition expert Chris Speed discusses Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Key topics include the main dietary sources, the impact of the typical Western diet on fatty acid balance, and how imbalances affect inflammation and health. Chris also covers the recommended Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratios for optimal health, ways to achieve balance, and the challenges of dietary interventions on a population level. Tune in for practical insights to enhance your health through better nutrition.

1:45 Main dietary sources

6:36 Inflammation and omega-3

15:26 Enzymes

23:51 Dietary interventions

Elana Natker will cover an overview of Omega-3 fatty acids, their importance for health, recommended intake levels, and the global issue of inadequate Omega-3 consumption. Additionally, practical tips on reading labels, various ways to incorporate Omega-3s into one's diet, sustainability considerations, and the benefits of being a GOED member will be discussed. This episode provides valuable knowledge and resources to improve health and wellness through Omega-3s that is easy to understand and learn from.

2:40 Overview of omega-3

4:04 Consumption Recommendations

5:07 How often you should eat omega-3 rich foods

7:00 How many are getting enough

7:27 Label reading tips

9:50 Alternative ways to consume

12:35 Omega-3 consumption tips for kids

15:05 Sustainability

17:48 GOED importance

19:30 Can you consume too much?

22:16 Resources

www.alwaysomega3s.com

https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysOmega3s

https://www.instagram.com/alwaysomega3s/

https://twitter.com/alwaysomega3s

Dr. Susan Carlson’s story is the discovery of DHA omega-3 in preterm birth. From learning that brains of preterm babies were void of DHA to now helping doctors identify how much DHA their pregnant patients need for a healthy birth. DHA is essential for infants and moms need it too; identifying the healthy equilibrium between mother and child is on the horizon. Building on discovery, asking key questions, trial limitations; her story is a real-time demonstration of scientific collaboration that improves human health.Topics Discussed: 2:10 Dr. Carlson background & education 3:58 Initial research on DHA in babies 6:42 Research on infant vision 14:02 DHA supplementation during pregnancy & early pre-term birth superiority trial18:08 Addressing the role of EPA in pregnancy 19:32 Dietary Guidelines for omega-3 consumption 22:41 Closing thoughts on DHA as it relates to pregnancy Resources Mentioned in this episode:Dr. Susan Carlson's Biohttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4978141/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34308309/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647754/

Who identified EPA and DHA omega-3? Ever wonder why omega-3 fats are called “omega-3”? How did we learn what fats were essential? In this episode, we take a walk back to hear Dr. Ralph Holman’s story, from poverty to pioneer; how his quest to solve problems built the foundation of omega-3 science. Living legends today sought his wisdom and his mentee, Dr. Doug Bibus, tells the story. Smuggling, brandy, sardines, love, ocean ships, character, and simple living are part of this American dream. Topics Discussed 3:17 Ralph Holman's background 4:27 Dr. Holman's discoveries at the University of Minnesota 11:36 Holman Omega-3 test 16:00 How Dr. Holman came to name omega-3s 18:28 The beginning of Dr. Holman's research on lipids 20:56 Dr. Holman's personal background 25:06 Ralph Holman's impact on Doug Bibus' life & career Resources Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Ralph Holman Bio

Speaking to coaches, parents, and athletes, Dr. Oliver and Cody Lust discuss what they learned about head trauma and omega-3 from their research in Division I college football players. Does omega-3 provide protection for the brain? What are the omega-3 levels in athletes today? Huddle in to hear about concussion vs. repetitive sub-concussive impact, function vs. optimal intake of omega-3; should football be banned and what about other sports, such as soccer, rugby, gymnastics, and hockey? Topics Discussed: 2:25 Introduction to concussion and sub-concussive impacts 6:01 DHA omega-3 related research 12:30 Omega-3 dose response in collegiate athletes 19:18 Recommendations on omega-3 intake 22:31 Should we ban contact sports? 27:09 New research on omega-3 Resources Mentioned in this episode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26765633/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29368186/

"Dr. Jorn Dyerberg tells the story of discovering the role of omega-3s in human health. It’s his story to tell. More than 50 years ago as a young medical student, Dr. Dyerberg and his mentor set out to understand how Greenland Inuits could have such a low rate of heart disease while living on a high fat diet. A sense of adventure, sled dogs, seal blubber, scientific methods, commitment to publish, and collaboration are all part of the story that launched the science of marine-sourced omega-3s. 

Topics Discussed:

5:40 Dr. Dyerberg's journey to Greenland 

8:24 Research that contributed to Dr. Dyerberg and Dr. Bang's omega-3 discovery 

11:08 Omega-6 research on blood clotting tendencies 

17:26 Medical research acceptance and clinical trials on omega-3s 

19:43 Clarifying comments on bleeding tendencies 

26:33 Closing thoughts on life's research & omega-3 deficiencies  

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Jorn Dyerberg Bio 

Bang and Dyerberg's omega-3 discovery turns fifty  

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1163480/ "

Rachel Gow explains how her quest for answers to help her child’s learning and behavior differences inspired her career in neuroscience and nutrition. Dr. Gow shares her experiences, early failures and learnings, and the moment her son told her he felt ‘happy’. Her new book “Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health” includes her journey, the science behind brain health, practical tips, resources, and recipes for busy parents.

Topics Discussed
2:56 Early career & son's ADHD diagnosis
7:43 Interest in omega-3
13:12 Dr. Gow's book Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health
15:32 Clearing up confusion around omega-3s
23:01 Background diet and 'brain selective nutrients'

Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Follow Rachel Gow on Instagram: @nutritious_minds
www.nutritiousmindsconsulting.com Smart Foods for ADHD and Brain Health  

Dr. Michael Crawford describes how his career began in Africa, why he studied brain chemistry and his African experience. His discovery of the primary essentiality of DHA to build and maintain the brain. Hear his early learnings, how opportunity, basic science, and 32 species in Uganda answered this question: Why do animals have different size brains? Bonus! You get to hear about his new book, Brain Under Siege, expected fall 2021.

Topics Discussed:
2:10 Introduction to his African experience
6:46 Deep dive into research on brain chemistry
9:20 Discovery of DHA to build and maintain the brain
12:06 What you should know about DHA and the brain
15:26 Sources of DHA and trace elements
18:30 Dr. Crawford's book Brain Under Siege

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Michael Crawford Bio
1971 paper mentioned
1973 paper mentioned
Energetic and nutritional constraints on infant brain development