Can Omega- 3 Fatty Acids Cause Prostate Cancer?

Before I discuss how much Omega-3 fatty acids you should take and what precautions you should take, I want to discuss a very important question.  Can fish oil in any form be a causative factor in the development of prostate cancer.  The news media recently have warned men to cut back on using fish oil because some doctors reported a higher risk of developing prostate cancer in men who had higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood plasma. This study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute July 2013. The investigators looked at blood samples from a large group of men and observed that those with the highest levels of Omega--3 fatty acids were more likely to develop prostate cancer than those with the lowest levels.

This is an example of drawing faulty conclusions from a study that was not properly designed to reach a meaningful conclusion. The information was drawn from a retrospective cohort design that was initially intended to study something completely different. A proper study design would have been to observe two identical groups of men. These men would need to be matched by age, eating habits, exercise habits, smoking and drinking habits and family history of no prostate cancer.  Once the groups were matched, one group would be instructed to take fish oil supplements and the other to not take these supplements. The groups would then be followed for at least ten years in order to determine whether there was a significant difference between the groups in the incidence of prostate cancer. This was not done.

A simpler way to determine whether there is a risk in having a higher level of omega-3s is to look at large populations. For example Japanese men until recently have lived in fish loving culture and have the highest levels of EPA and DHA. They also have some of the lowest rates of prostate cancer of any culture studied.

The famous American Will Rogers once said "Believe nothing that you read and only half of what you see." This study is a perfect example. I will continue taking my fish oil supplements daily.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net

How Much Fish Oil Do You Need? Part 2

We have pointed out that omega 3 fatty acids are essential and that the body can produce only limited amounts. We have also pointed out that the imbalance in the ratio between omega 6 fatty acids and omega 3 fatty acids is a major health concern. This imbalance may be partly responsible for the high incidence of heart disease, strokes cancer and other inflammatory diseases in western societies.

Many claims have been made for the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids. Some have stood up to careful examination, others have not.  For example omega 3 fatty acids have a number of potentially heart-healthy effects including reducing triglyceride levels, raising good cholesterol cholesterol (HDL) levels, reducing levels of homocysteine, reducing blood pressure, slowing the progression of atherosclerosis thereby preventing heart attacks and reducing the risk of sudden death due to cardiac irregularities.

These statements agree with a large study of generally healthy older adults (average age 74).  In this study those with the highest levels of omega-3s had a decreased risk of dying. In fact those with the highest levels were 27% less likely to die during the course of the study than those in the lowest 20%. They were also 40% less likely to have a heart attack.

In view of the fact that omega-3 fatty acids have a variety of other probable health benefits investigators have looked at specific diseases with mixed results. The list is large and includes arthritis and other inflammatory disease, cancer, age related cognitive decline, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic fibrosis and osteoporosis. It is extremely difficult to design and get relevant information from complicated studies such as these and the results have been inconclusive. It is also not clear whether the investigators took into consideration the levels of omega-6 fatty acids and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. We have pointed out the importance of this ratio.

In conclusion there is no doubt that omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in maintaining optimal health. Next we will discuss sources of omega-3s and optimal amounts to take.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net

How Much Fish Oil Do You Need?

Fish oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. They are essential fatty acids and belong to a family of nutrients that can also be obtained from other marine sources such as algae, krill and calamari.  EPA and DHA are polyunsaturated fats (good fats) as contrasted to saturated fats that increase the risk of heart disease.  The body can manufacture only limited amounts of EPA and DHA therefore it is necessary to supplement your body's production with nutrients from your diet..

Omega-3 fatty acids have a number of potentially healthy effects such as reducing triglyceride levels, raising levels of HDL (good cholesterol), Possibly "thinning the blood", slowing the progression of atherosclerosis and decreasing inflammation in the body.

Omega-3 fatty acids need to be differentiated from omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential fatty acids. They are found in almost all of the processed foods that we eat especially foods that have have had oils from sunflowers, corn, soybean and cottonseed.  Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential for healthy body functioning, but the problem with the typical western diet is that the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is unhealthy.

Why is this a problem? The reason is that omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory. Omega-6 fatty acids are inflammatory. Historically  before the onset of mass produced processed foods the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio that our ancestors lived with was about 4:1. Going back even further in time our ancestors who were hunter gatherers had a ratio of about 1:1. Even today the Inuits who eat a diet high in seafood have a ratio of 1:4 and the healthy mediterranean diet has a ratio of about 3:1.

Many of us who eat a typical American diet have a ratio of 16:1 or even higher. This imbalance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids is one of the reasons for the high incidence of heart disease, auto-immune disease and cancer in our western civilization. In subsequent blogs we will discuss the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and give our recommendations.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net

Is a Fast Heart Rate Healthy or Unhealthy?

How fast is your resting heart rate? The answer may not be as simple as it sounds. Why? Because there is so much variation from person to person and over the course of the day it varies for the same person. Your heart rate may be slow in the morning and faster in the afternoon.

In general a slower heart rate is better than a faster rate. Recently a study followed a large number of middle aged and older men who agreed to be subjects. It was discovered. that an elevated resting heart rate in healthy subjects is not only a marker of poor general fitness but it is also an independent risk factor that may be a better predictor of premature death than elevated blood pressure or high cholesterol.

The important take away fact is that even though there is general agreement on the fact that an elevated resting heart rate is not a good thing, there is no consensus on what an optimal heart rate is and where increased health risks begin.

If you check your own pulse when you are at rest and your heart rate is greater than 100 you should be concerned. How do you slow it down without taking medications? Consult with a physician. With his consent start a gradually progressive exercise program. We present such a program in our book Live Longer Live Healthier. Within a few months you will notice differences in your appearance, in your energy level and probably observe that your resting heart rate is beginning to slow down.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net

Should You Have The Shingles Vaccine?

Shingles is an acute illness characterized by the outbreak of an extremely painful rash located on one side of the body.  The outbreak can involve the eye and threaten vision. The proper name for shingles is herpes zoster.  The zoster virus is the cause of chicken pox a self limited illness that usually occurs in younger people.  After the initial outbreak the virus remains latent in nerve cells.  Years after the initial outbreak the virus can activate and cause the classical symptoms of shingles. These outbreaks are more common in those over 60 and those with weak immune systems.

A preventative vaccine for shingles is available. A new review showed that the shot reduces the risk of developing shingles by about 50% and reduces the severity of an outbreak if one occurs. The FDA has approved the vaccine for people ages 50 and older.

The vaccine is not perfect, but given the severity of shingles we strongly recommend it's use if you are 50 or older.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net

Should You Exercise? Part 3

Are you concerned that you are losing your mental edge as you grow older? Are you forgetting names, places and things? Along with aging goes some degree of forgetfulness, but you are not powerless if you want to maintain your mental edge. There are nutritional guidelines that we will discuss in another blog. Certain foods enhance memory. There is also exercise.

Many studies have shown that physical exercise helps older people stay sharp and helps to retain mental abilities. Aerobic exercise produces beneficial changes in brain cells. Researchers using brain scans have documented that people age 55 to 79 who stay fit physically actually slow the age-related decline in brain density. This is another reason why we say that exercise is the world's best medicine.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net

Should You Exercise? Part 2

"If exercise could be packaged into a pill, it would be the single most prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation."

 – Robert N. Butler

Exercise is a cornerstone of the TriEnergeteics program.  Not painful, burning exercise, but easy, progessive exercise that strengthens your muscles and your heart.  Our exercise routines are designed specifically to give you all of the benefits and none of the pain.  These exercises will make you look better and feel younger.  And best of all the exercises are fun to do.

If you don't exercise regularly, because you haven't wanted to or you haven't been motivated enough, you're not alone.  Most Americans don't get enough exercise even though the surgeon general of the United States as well as many other authorities have spoken for the need to exercise.  Exercise can and should be fun.  If you are not enjoying your exercise and not feeling better because of it you are probably not exercising properly and may be hurting yourself.

Take a different view of exercise. Picture yourself enjoying moving your body in ways that make you feel good and light and energetic. Picture the changes in your body as your tummy begins to tighten and the love handles begin to trim. This is the vision that we present with the TriEnergetics program.

Get more information in our book Live Longer Live Healthier

or visit our website at trienergetics.net