OurFHP: December 2009

A note from Chris Janelli of Our Favorite Health Products, LLC.

Our Favorite Health Products is working closely with Dr. William Harris to introduce and market his test for omega-3 levels in the bloodstream.

The test, known as the HS-Omega-3 Index, was developed by Dr. Harris, PhD, an internationally recognized expert in the relationship between omega-3 levels and heart disease. Dr. Harris has received five NIH grants to study the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) levels on human diseases.

The HS-Omega-3 Index test measures levels of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes. Research has shown a correlation between a high HS-Omega-3 Index and a reduction of relative risk of sudden cardiac death. At the highest omega-3 levels, risk for sudden cardiac death is reduced by about 90%.

Preliminary data indicate the potential benefit of omega-3 oils in a wide range of medical conditions, including pregnancy. While optimal levels have not yet been established for ideal levels of EPA and DHA in all circumstances, the HS-Omega-3 Index may be used to monitor the omega-3 levels in patients who are encouraged to take fish oil supplements or to add fish to their diets, such as women planning to get pregnant and pregnant women.

It is widely accepted that the essential omega 3 fatty acid DHA plays a vital role in fetal development. After 30 years of clinical research, the need for adequate DHA during pregnancy seems to be acknowledged.

Results of clinical research tell us that children born of women who consume DHA during pregnancy have better coordination and visual acuity, what’s more, children born to women who under consume DHA during pregnancy have a higher risk for low verbal IQ scores, reduced fine motor skills and less developed social and communication skills.

Experts recommend pregnant women consume at least 200 mg DHA per day. This modest DHA recommendation is currently not met by about 90% of pregnant women. In fact, average intakes are less than 80 mg/day.

While the HS-Omega-3 Index test is primarily used to establish a baseline risk profile for sudden cardiac death and to help patients reduce their risk, it can also be used by women planning a pregnancy as an important indicator to guide their omega-3 supplementation program. An Index of 8% to 11% higher would indicate healthy levels of Omega-3 EPA+DHA.

It is known that the Index can be raised by eating a diet rich in Omega-3s, but even if a woman is consuming 200 mg DHA per day, an amount recommended for a pregnant woman, people vary and each person's response to supplemental Omega-3s varies, particularly in pregnancy when nutrient requirements increase.

Dr. Harris feels that an HS-Omega-3 Index between 4% and 8% can be corrected by increasing the EPA+DHA intake by ½ -1 gram (500 - 1000 mg) per day. This can be accomplished in two ways: eating more oily fish and/or taking fish oil supplements. On the other hand, if the Index is less than 4%, his recommendation would be to raise intake by 1-3 g (100 - 3000 mg) per day; significantly more than the 200 mg recommended for pregnant women.

If you would like to get references for many of the above statements please send me an email at john@ourfavoritehealthproducts.com

I have to pen a post, but what to say. The push of our site is simple. How many times can we tell you to exercise, a little or a lot, it doesn’t seem to matter a lot, try not to become corpulent, don’t get constipated and join a club with modest supplement intake, fiber, omega 3, a multivitamin, vitamin D, in winter, and whatever your doctor recommends to give yourself a better chance of living a healthier life, if not a longer one?

We’ve added some products and seem to be moving in the direction of natural cosmetics. I just put up a new European line.

But, I did go to the Galapagos Archipelago, as we now call it, over Thanksgiving.

There are many lessons to be learned from such a trip. Keep humans out from where they do not belong. Get rid of introduced species; kill them off no matter what. And the locals can do the job better than the imports, if you will only get out of the way and let them do it.

So on most islands there are no humans, no billboards, no johns and leave before sundown. No relieving oneself whilst in the National Park. A good thing to, it keeps the group moving and concentrating on the objective.

All the naturalists, hiding their resentment, as a good host should, whilst showing around the comparatively affluent foreigners, are Ecuadorians. The ship we were on was crewed by Ecuadorians, as I believe is the requirement. The standard of input and service from our hosts was extremely high, they were proud of their land and the product they delivered.