Lyprinol, Omega-3, and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids

The Balancing Act Between Omega-3 and Omega-6

We are what we eat. This is particularly true of our cell membranes, which are made up of the fats or lipids in our diet. Some lipids can be made by the body, such as cholesterol, but others are only available through diet - these are called essential fatty acids (EFA's).

Omega-6 and Omega-3 are the two main classes of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Omega-6 EFAs are contained in all vegetable oils. They are almost totally made of up linoleic acid and its derivatives. GLA (gamma linoleic acid) is considered one of the more valuable. It is found in evening primrose oil and borage oils.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are found to a limited degree in some plants, but are present in all fish and shellfish. Fish found in cold, deep water provide more of Omega 3 than others.

A number of studies in The UK, US, Germany and Australia have reported on the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-3 fatty acids foods.
They conclude that

1. Omega-3 is vital to our health and well being, and
2. dietary deficiencies of these omega acids are connected to several diseases including arthritis, autoimmune disorders, cancer, coronary heart disease, hypertension and skin conditions - psoriasis and eczema.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFA have vital roles to play in the body's biochemistry. The Omega-6 group contains large quantities of linoleic acid (LA). This is converted into arachidonic acid, which in turn leads to the production of many other chemicals. When these are over-produced, they can have negative effects, such as uncontrolled or excessive inflammation from a small trigger.

The Omega-3 group on the other hand is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which in turn is converted into two other EFA's - eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). These have the opposite effect of arachidonic acid.

The key is balance. Arachidonic acid stimulates the production of important chemicals, while EPA and DHA ensure these substances are not over produced.

Diets that are low in meat, high in vegetables, fish and nuts and that use unprocessed oils contain a good even balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids).

Western diets, however, are generally higher in meat and use processed oils. This processing converts many vegetable oils from Omega-3 to Omega-6. As a result, Western diets contain a ratio as high as 10:1 of Omega-6 to Omega-3. Bad news when we consider then that inflammation, to a certain degree, is a result of a dietary imbalance between Omega-3 and Omega-6.

So what exactly are the benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the diet?

The immune system is designed to defend the body against invading organisms. One of the first responses is a series of reactions usually referred to as inflammation. In a balanced body, arachidonic acid is converted into pro-inflammatory compounds, then after the invader has been neutralised, EPA and DHA is mobilised to calm the reaction down. The body uses the same metabolic pathways to process both Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFA's. The western diet is so high in Omega-6, that there is not enough Omega-3 to produce the EPA and DHA to reverse the effects of arachidonic acid.

Prolonged exposure to uncontrolled inflammation can contribute to serious conditions. Swelling in joints can lead to pain and breakdown of cartilage and ultimately arthritis. Over-responsive airways can be stimulated by allergens and eventually lead to changes in the muscle structure in conditions such as asthma.

Increasing the amount of Omega-3 EFA in the diet can help rebalance the fatty acid pool in the body and return the biochemistry to its healthy state.

Some of the best natural sources of Omega-3 are marine, or fish oils. As we've said before though, you need a lot of fish oil to see any significant anti-inflammatory effects. One particular study indicates 18 (1g) capsules a day. That's a lot of extra fat (18g). It's also a lot of capsules.

How does Lyprinol differ from these other food sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

One of the main differences between Lyprinol and fish oils is the amount required to produce a significant effect. Compared to fish oil doses of 18g per day, Lyprinol has been shown to be effective at a dose of 1 to 2 capsules per day. This is equivalent to just 100mg of Lyprinol oil and 300mg of olive oil. This equals just 400mg of fat per day, compared to 18g per day, if you were to take fish oils.

Independent studies have compared Lyprinol to several foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Regarding anti-inflammatory properties and joint swelling, Lyprinol has been shown to be:

* 100 times more potent than EPA Max (fish oil)
* 125 times more potent than orginal freeze dried mussel powder
* 175 times more potent than evening primrose oil
* 175 times more potent than Salmon Oil
* 200 times more potent than Flax Oil

Lyprinol works by inhibiting the metabolic pathways in the inflammation process. This is because the Omega-3 PUFAs present in Lyprinol are metabolised in the body instead of other fatty acids responsible for starting and prolonging the process of inflammation.

Lyprinol is one of the best natural sources of Omega-3 in the diet, because it contains additional lipids, unique to the Green Lipped Mussel - its like fish oil but better.

Source: http://www.lyprinol.co.uk/

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8 Ways To Avoid Germs

One of the benefits of telecommuting or working at home is being free from the “epidemics” that can sweep through an office building or school (some schools near me are using “snow days” to shut down as “flu days” since we have no snow problems but massive flu problems this year!)

But everybody has to go out in public some time.

These tips are summarized from a “8 Ways To Avoid Germs” by avoiding where they commonly are found in greatest concentration
1. Don’t Touch the First Floor Elevator Button - Use your elbow instead

2. Sanitize shopping cart handles and don’t put your produce in the cart seat… no telling what’s been sitting there.

3. Escalator handrails can be very germy - try to avoid using them if you can.

4. Use the first toilet. It’s usually least used.

5. The office coffee pot needs to be cleaned with vinegar-water solution poured through weekly. Use your own mug and keep it clean with the same type of solution (unless you microwave office sponges).

6. Beware of kitchen sponges, dish rags, and cutting boards which can harbor more germs than your batroom. Microwave sponges two minutes on high to sterilize them.

7. Your office desk, telephone, and computer keyboard may be dirtier than the toilet. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean the desktop, computer keyboard, and phone.
8. Avoid hand shaking and kissing, at least during flu season and wash afterwards!

Also “scrub your hands with warm water and soap for at least 15 to 20 seconds after using the bathroom; eating, working, or playing outdoors; playing with pets; or coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Anything less than 15 seconds won’t do the job. ” Soap and water does just fine. “Antibacterial” sanitizers may do harm long term.

Thousands of Business Opportunities

Since 2001, they've posted about 5987 different business opportunities and ideas, so you're sure to find something here to inspire you!

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The Business Opportunities Weblog is a moderated list of legitimate business opportunities for entrepreneurs. It is presented like a weblog with chronological archives and extensive outbound links.

Dane Carlson (site owner) strive to only list quality businesses opportunities and will not knowingly promote junk bizops, and will actively take a stand against them.

Since 2001 this site has helped thousands of individuals in their quest for self-employment and business ownership. Our mission is simple: to help entrepreneurs like yourself find the business that’s right for YOU!

How to install Chinese on Windows XP

Open the Windows Control Panel.
(If the Control Panel is in "Category view") Select "Date, Time, Language and Regional options."

Open the "Regional and Language Options" icon.

Choose the "Languages" tab, and ensure the "Install files for East Asian languages" is checked.

Click the "Details" button to open the "Text services and input languages" dialog.

If "Chinese" is not listed in the "Installed Services" box, click "Add".

In the "Input Language" list, choose "Chinese (PRC)". The "Keyboard layout" should default to "Chinese (Simplified) - Microsoft Pinyin IME 3.0". Click "Ok" on both dialogs to return to the "Regional and Language Options".

Click "Ok", you will probably need to insert your Windows CD for the files to be installed.

The language bar should now have appeared in the bottom right of the taskbar. It should default to English - "EN".

Click on the "EN" button to show the available languages:
By changing the language to "CH", you can now type in Pinyin. You can change the current language by pressing "ALT" + "SHIFT" on your keyboard.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Lipoic acid shows evidence of being effective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and may be useful in treating some other aspects of diabetes. It may help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and may be protective, generally, against oxidative stress and, specifically, against atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury and various radiologic and chemical toxins. It may also be useful in some inborn metabolic disorders. There is less evidence that it might be helpful in some neurodegenerative conditions. There is preliminary evidence that it might have some immune-modulating effects. It has been suggested that lipoic acid may slow aging of the brain and that it may be an anti-aging substance, in general.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

In a larger, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 328 patients with type 2 diabetes, significant improvements were recorded in several clinical measures of diabetic polyneuropathy, including pain, numbness, paresthesia and burning sensations. These results were evident after three weeks of intravenous lipoic acid given five times weekly in doses of 600 and 1200 milligrams.

There is evidence, too, that lipoic acid may help prevent or slow the development of the atherosclerosis for which diabetics are at higher risk. It may do this, in part, through a gene-regulatory mechanism that helps prevent endothelial cell activity that has been implicated in the progression of atherosclerosis.

With respect to atherosclerosis, in general, lipoic acid's antioxidant and metabolic effects appear to offer some protection, as demonstrated in various animal models. Recently, researchers demonstrated, in a 16-week randomized trial, that lipoic acid, in oral doses of 600 milligrams daily for eight weeks, significantly inhibits the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in healthy human subjects. The supplements also significantly reduced levels of F-2 isoprostanes, markers of oxidative stress. In this study, lipoic acid proved to be superior to vitamin E in decreasing levels of plasma protein carbonyls. Protein oxidation and LDL-cholesterol oxidation are implicated in heart disease.

Various animal studies have suggested that lipoic acid can prevent or reduce cell and tissue damage in heart attacks and stroke. There is extensive animal work showing that lipoic acid can exert significant protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animal work is also suggestive of some modest benefit from lipoic acid in the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. Results to date, however, remain inconclusive. Clinical studies are needed.

Claims that lipoic acid slows aging of the brain and is an anti-aging substance generally seem to be related to its potent antioxidant properties. Direct proof of anti-aging is lacking, but there is some animal work suggestive of some possible anti-aging effects.

Lipoic acid supplementation was reported to completely reverse age-related declines in hepatocyte ascorbic acid and glutathione levels. There was additional evidence of decreased oxidative damage in the lipoic-acid supplemented aged rats. The researchers concluded: "Little is known about whether lipoic acid may be an effective anti-aging supplement...in humans. Our present findings using rats would suggest that lipoic acid supplementation may be a safe and effective means to improve general metabolic activity and increase antioxidant status, affording increased protection against external oxidative and xenobiotic insults with age." Again, further study is needed.

INTERACTIONS

Supplemental alpha-lipoic acid may lower blood glucose levels. Those with diabetes on antidiabetic medication should have their blood glucose monitored and antidiabetic drug dose appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to avoid possible hypoglycemia.

LITERATURE

Hagen TM, Ingersoll RT, Lykkesfeldt J, et al. (R)-alpha-lipoic acid-supplemented old rats have improved mitochondrial function, decreased oxidative damage, and increased metabolic rate. FASEB J. 1999; 13:411-418.

Lykkesfeldt J, Hagen TM, Vinarsky V, Ames BN. Age-associated decline in ascorbic and concentration, recycling and biosynthesis in rat hepatocytes-reversal with (R)-alpha-lipoic acid supplementation. FASEB J. 1998; 12:1183-1189.

Marangon K, Devaraj S, Tirosh O, et al. Comparison of the effect of alpha-lipoic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementation on measures of oxidative stress. Free Rad Biol Med. 1999; 27:1114-1121.

Natrej CV, Gandhi VM, Melon KKG. Lipoic acid and diabetes: effect of dihydrolipoic acid administration in diabetic rats and rabbits. J Biosci 1984; 6:37-46.

Nickander KK, McPhee BR, Low PA, Tritschler H. Alpha-lipoic acid: antioxidant potency against lipid peroxidation of neural tissues in vitro and implications for diabetic neuropathy. Free Rad Biol Med. 1996; 21:631-639.

Ohmori H, Yamauchi T, Yamamoto I. Augmentation of the antibody response by lipoic acid in mice II. Restoration of the antibody response in immunosuppressed mice. Japan J Pharmacol 1986; 42:275-280.

Packer L, Tritschler HJ, Wessel K. Neuroprotection by the metabolic antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. Free Rad Biol Med. 1997; 22:359-378.

Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler, HJ. Alpha-lipoic as a biological antioxidant. Free Rad Biol Med. 1995; 19:227-250.

Reed LJ. The chemistry and function of lipoic acids. Adv Enzymol. 1957; 18:319-347.

Sachse G, Willms B. Efficacy of throctic acid in the therapy of peripheral diabetic neuropathy. Horm Metab Res Suppl. 1980; 9:105-107.

Tirosh O, Sen CK, Roy S, et al. Neuroprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid and its positively charged amide analogue. Free Rad Biol Med. 1999; 26:1418-1426.

Wagh SS, Natraj CV, Menon KKG. Mode of action of lipoic acid in diabetes. J Biosci. 1987; 11:59-74.

Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. A three-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN study). Diabetologia. 1995; 38:1425-1433.

Zimmer G, Beikler TK, Schneider M, et al. Dose/response curves of lipoic acid R- and S- forms in the working rat heart during reoxygenation: superiority of the R-entantiomer in the enhancement of aortic flow. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 1995; 27:1895-1903.

The Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Fatty acids are simply components of fats. There are TWO essential fatty acids. Essential means you NEED to get them from the diet because the body cannot manufacture them.

* The first is alpha-linolenic acid (LNA or ALA), and it belongs to the omega-3 family of fatty acids. You can find ALA in flax (abundantly), and in small quantities in walnuts, cold pressed canola oil, wheat germ (the part taken out when making white flour), and dark green leafy vegetables (in tiny amounts). By by far the best food source of ALA is flax seed and flax oil.

These foods are not especially popular in the typical American diet, so it is no wonder that about 95-99% of the US population is deficient in the essential fat ALA. This deficiency plays a role in practically all degenerative diseases like heart disease and cancer, arthritis, skin conditions, diabetic neuropathy, immune function, and premenstrual syndrome.

* Linoleic acid (LA) is the other essential fatty acid, belonging to the omega-6 family of fatty acids. It is found abundantly in soy oil, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, tahini, corn oil, and in most nuts. The typical American diet contains too much LA in comparison to ALA because people consume so much refined vegetable oils made of the abovementioned foods. They not only cook with these oils, but also eat margarine, crackers, cookies, and other processed foods which contain those oils.

The right ratio of linoleic acid versus alpha-linolenic acid in the diet is important. It should be around 3:1 or 2:1, meaning two-three times as much LA as ALA. Typically in the American diet this ratio is more like 20:1. Some researchers believe an imbalance may lead to a variety of mental disorders, including hyperactivity, depression, brain allergies, and schizophrenia.

Non-essential omega-3 and omega-6 fats

There exist also other (non-essential) omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which your body can manufacture from the two essential ones.

* Non-essential omega-3 fatty acids include DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which the body makes from ALA (the omega-3 essential fatty acid). You may have heard about fish oil and omega-3 fats. Oily cold-water fish contains good amounts of DHA and EPA. Infants and children need DHA for proper brain growth from their diet (and breast milk can have a lot of it!), so in that sense we could classify DHA as an essential fat for children.

* Non-essential omega-6 fatty acids include AA (arachidonic acid) and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) which your body makes from LA (the omega-6 essential fatty acid).

Many times people confuse or don't differentiate between the different omega-3 fats. ONLY ONE of the omega-3 fatty acids is essential (that is ALA), and a healthy body can make the others (DHA and EPA). Fish oil contains the non-essential omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Since the body can make them from ALA, it follows that it is not absolutely necessary to eat fish or take fish oil supplements BUT in all cases it is necessary to get ALA since it is the ESSENTIAL omega-3 fat (best source being flax).

However, in certain cases the conversion from ALA to DHA and/or EPA is not adequate. That can happen (obviously) if you don't get enough of the raw material ALA, or if you don't get enough of vitamins C, B6, B3, or enough zinc and magnesium, which all are needed in the conversion from ALA to DHA and EPA. Also, if the diet contains too much omega-6 fats in comparison to ALA (as is usually the case in western diets), then the conversion is slowed down. So in those cases it can be very beneficial to eat not only flax, but also sources of DHA and EPA as well - which means oily cold-water FISH, like salmon, trout, sardines, herring (and mackerel if it didn't have too much mercury in it).

Does a woman need more EFA's during pregnancy/breastfeeding?

Yes. The brain is over 60% fat and very rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 EFA derivatives so the baby needs essential fatty acids (EFAs) for brain development and brain function. These are drawn from the mother's body during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

So during pregnancy and breastfeeding the mother gets depleted of essential fatty acids, especially the omega-3 fatty acids. Each child gets less EFAs than the previous child, depleting the mother even further, UNLESS the mother augments her diet with EFAs, like flax oil and oily fish.

This depletion of the mother's EFA stores for baby's brain building can explain why younger children have more developmental and behavioral problems than older children, especially if the chilren are born close together. It also can explain why women experience far more depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, and more inflammatory, autoimmune, and collagen diseases than men.

Summary

To what extent research findings using flaxseed itself can be extended to the use of flaxseed oil remains to be determined. There is preliminary clinical evidence suggesting that the oil can decrease platelet aggregation, that it may lower cholesterol (but probably not triglycerides) and that it might have some ability to lower blood pressure and have some anti-inflammatory effects in some with arthritis.

Sources:

Dr. David William's Alternatives Newsletter September 1999 issue

Udo Erasmus: Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill

FAQ of Essential fats, oil processing, good fats, trans fats, etc. from Udoerasmus.com

Humans Turn omega-3 fatty acid ALA to omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA (Fish Oil)- by Udo Erasmus

The Human Brain - Essential fatty acids

Fats for Health.com - Your source for Essential Fatty Acid Information and News.