The HDL triad to fight HD is diet, exercise and spirituality. In each these we can learn and grow. Science empowers us. Consider here taking EPA as part of your triad. --Jerry 10-May-2001
by Jerry Lampson 10-May-2001, updated 26-Jun-2001
Ethyl Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is a poly-unsaturated fat found naturally in cold water fish. One theory holds that EPA helps cold blooded fish escape warm blooded predators in extreme cold.
Trade names for Pure EPA are LAX-101 in the UK and Epadale in Japan. In the US the closest source is EPA concentrated fish oil. EPA should be taken with the antioxidant vitamin E.
EPA concentrated fish oil is probably best from high volume suppliers for freshness. Suggested sources are suppliers such as Coromega, OmegaBrite, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Rite-Aid with a freshness and potency guaranteed date. See EPA sources.
You have to do some calculating to make sure you are getting 2 grams of EPA from an EPA concentrated fish oil supplement. You need to get the EPA milligrams (mg) per capsule from the label and then calculate how many capsules are required for 2 grams of EPA.
Some brands give the EPA for a serving size of 2 caps so you have to be careful of how the fish oil is labeled as to EPA content and how many caps it is for. My RITEAID brand has 360 mg EPA in 2 caps (180 mg per cap) so it takes 12 X 180 mg caps to get 2,160 mg of EPA.
Some folks will need to gradually work their way up to the number of capsules required to 2 grams of EPA. It is best to start with only one capsule and go slowly upward over a period of weeks.
If you like sardines you can probably get 2 grams of EPA from a sardine sandwich a day. Check the lable or other sources to make sure.
EPA can be made by our bodies from the LNA in flax or hemp oil as a preferred source. There are a few things Phds should be aware of. The conversion is less than 3% of the LNA in the flax oil. Flax oil is about half LNA. A complement of vitamins and enzymes are required for the conversion. The conversion is impaired in Welsh-Irish, Norwegian, Inuit, Oriental and North American Native genes. The conversion is impaired by degenerative conditions. HD, being an insidious devil, may impair the conversion. The only certain way to know if ones blood level carries a therapeutic level of EPA is by lab test.
A HDL chemist corespondent relates: Two table spoons of flax oil converts to 1.93 grams of EPA per day. The flax oil had the same effect on me as the fish oil, but without the side effects. Make sure your husband is taking lot's of multi-vitamins, ( especially extra E, B3, B6, C, zinc, and magnesium ) One Dr. recommends taking flax oil mixed into a sulfur containing protein ( cottage cheese, yogurt ) without the sulfur containing protein flax oil maybe harmful. [ www.cooleyville.com/cancer/cafats.htm The last page says "...Flax oil ( highest in ALA ) must be mixed with a sulfur containing protein ( cottage cheese, yogurt ) without which it may be harmful..."] I was mixing 3 table spoons of flax oil with a small container of cherry yogurt.
It may take time for your system to adjust to fish oil or flax seed oil. Plan for a gradual increase, ever listening to your body. It takes time for the EPA to work. Do not expect changes in symptoms for at least three months.