Omega supplements

Omegas, also known as essential fatty acids (EFAs) serve as the essential building blocks of skin’s surface layers, creating a smoother, more even, younger-looking, and healthier complexion.

Benefits

• Reinforce and smooth skin’s surface (repair the barrier)
• Increase hydration
• Calm signs of external stressors, including redness and sensitivity
• Eliminate signs of flaky, dehydrated-looking skin
• Visibly strengthen skin against signs of environmental damage
• Improves cell function
• Improves cell communication

After omegas are ingested, they are placed within the cell membranes, where they directly and indirectly affect cellular function by promoting the fluidity, flexibility, and/or the permeability of cell membranes. These features are vital to numerous daily cell operations, including receiving, processing, and responding to information from nearby cells and messages coming from the surrounding environment.

Importantly, because organs are made up of cells, obtaining sufficient omega-3s means that organs will also have the potential to function more optimally. And because normal organ functioning is associated with greater general health, adequate omega-3s can help optimize overall health.

WHY SUPPLEMENTS?

Our entire body is reliant on EFAs, with this in mind EFAs ingested from our diet will go first to all the processes in of body i.e.; heart, liver, tissue and our skin will receive EFAs last. This means our skin will most likely receive little to no EFAs, particularly if we have a diet low in EFAs

Those who follow a Western diet are typically eating way too much omega-6s relative to omega-3s. Many believe this is a serious health problem.

People who ate a pre-industrial diet had an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of about 4:1. The ratio today is 16:1, much higher than what people are genetically adapted to. This leads to an inflammatory diet and lifestyle that leads to more disease.

This is why we use supplements to even out the ratio.

As the skin gets the last of internal EFAs, it is very important to use EFAs topically as well as including them in our diet. Omegas have a natural affinity for skin, and are especially beneficial when combined with other skin-loving ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and glycerin.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF I NEED TO TAKE SUPPLEMENTS?

The skin presents with these conditions

• scalyness,
• dryness,
• rashes,
• irritation,
• poor wound healing
• increased fine lines and wrinkles
• dry all over your body

and are much more likely to present with skin disorders such as

• dermatitis,
• rosacea
• pigmentation.

 

OMEGAS AND ACNE

Acne is caused by 4 factors- bacteria, inflammation, quality and quantity of oil and hyper-keratinisation (build-up of skin)

Omegas address 3 all of these factors

Omegas are important in maintaining a healthy hydrated skin barrier, without them the skin becomes scaly and dry (hyper-keratinisation). This builds up skin around the follicle opening blocked the pore and creating more bacteria inside your pore creating acne. That is why it can be used against acne.

Omegas are all inflammatory markers in acne.

Those suffering for acne have a low level of omega 3 in their sebum so we want to increase it to improve the quality and quantity of oil.

Helps with synthesis of androgen and hence regulates oil quality and quantity.

An amazing supplement for acne though is Artic cod liver oil, see the write up below.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN OMEGA SUPPLEMENTS.

-Look for wild, cold water, small fish (mackerel, anchovies, sardines)

–Nordic naturals have triglyceride (natural) others have ethyl ester which is synthetic

-Omega 3 and 6. The body needs both to maintain a healthy working body, to reduce inflammation in the skin, promote cell turnover, protect the skin from sun damage, hydrate. But it a modern world we are consuming too much omega 6, so we need to supplement with Omega 3 to balance out the body.

– DHA and EPA. When we are addressing skin conditions you want to look for a higher EPA than DHA as EFA has a higher efficiency with the skin.

The Benefits of EPA

• Reduces Cellular Stress – The anti-inflammatory actions of EPA make sure that there are less oxidative and inflammatory compounds that may increase cell damage.
• Healthy Mood – EPA supports the healthy functioning of the brain through its anti-inflammatory effects and by supporting correct metabolic pathways.
• Immune Health – EPA also promotes the creation of a number of anti-inflammatory compounds.

The Benefits of DHA

• Cell Wall Fluidity – The incorporation of DHA into cells results in both compounds being able to enter and leave the cell more easily leading to greater health and energy overall.
• Eye Health – DHA is found in high levels in the retina of the eye where it supports the proper function of the eye.
• Brain Health – DHA is also found in high levels in the structure of the brain and helps supports the efficiency of the brain’s responses.
• Memory –Increases the levels of the neurotransmitter Dopamine which increases mood, memory, motivation and learning ability along with other positive cognitive effects.

 

ARTIC COD LOVER OIL

The fish oil that started it all, has always been sustainably sourced 100% wild artic cod liver oil, containing only occurring vitamins and essential fats and nutrients-no other fish oils or synthetic additives are used.

Arctic Cod Liver Oil not only is an omega, but also provides vitamin A & D which can be really beneficial for people that have issues with cellular turnover of the skin (which is quite common in most clients with acne).

Vitamin A in Arctic Cod Liver Oil would be beneficial as it is the most natural form of vitamin A available and is a lot more easily absorbed compared to other sources of vitamin A rich food. This is also beneficial for people that have low vitamin D and have difficulty increasing their levels in the blood as vitamin A is essential for vitamin D absorption.

This would also then be beneficial for people that also present with a weakened immune function and require mucous membrane repair (i.e., clients that have irritation in the nose from allergies/membrane repair of the gastrointestinal tract so if you are also presenting with gut issues etc.)

If dry skin is your issue, out ultimate omega does have higher amounts of omega for hydration.

 

HOW TO TAKE

Healthy Adults (ages 18+): 3000-4000 mg EPA+DHA per day

Because EPA and DHA levels can vary between products, it is recommended to check the Nutrition Information Panel. Choose products with higher EPA and DHA levels. Aim for Total EPA and DHA more than 130mg per 100g

If supplements aren’t working, they could be deficient in vitamins

• magnesium
• zinc
• vit b6

also – alcohol and high cholesterol will reduce the efficiency.

Stop with the following

• You get belching, heartburn, nausea or loose stools can be signs of not absorbing them properly
• Can’t be on aspirin or warfarin- will make them bleed more
• If having surgery- come off 7 days before to reduce chance of bleeding or bruising.
• Diabetics- need to check with doctor.

CAN I JUST EAT FOOD?

You sure can! But to eat the amount needed to balance out your body, you have to eat quite a bit and most people can’t keep up. For food high in omega 3 think- fish, seafood, nuts, avocado, flaxseed, brussels sprouts, eggs, spinach, edamame and tofu.

 

In store we stock Nordic natural omeags and cod liver oil as they hit all the important factors above. They are deep sea, environmentally sourced and high in EPA.

 

REFERENCES

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/essential-fatty-acids