Health care practitioners often recommend eating fish at least twice per week because fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are known to affect key blood proteins (matrix metalloproteinase-9; MMP-9) and are produced by the immune cells of individuals with MS. A new study evaluating the effects of omega-3 on MMP-9 in patients with MS suggests that the intake of fish oil, containing omega-3 fatty acids, may have potential benefit in MS by decreasing MMP-9 levels.

The study was conducted by L. Shinto, ND, MPH, S. Baldauf-Wagner, A. Strehlow, V. Yadav and D. Bourdette, all of the Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR; and G. Marracci of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR. It is entitled, “The Immunomodulatory Effects of Fish Oil in Multiple Sclerosis.” Dr. Shinto is presenting the team’s findings at the 22nd annual meting of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP; www.Naturopathic.org). The conference will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA, August 22-25, 2007.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on ten patients with MS. Ten MS participants received 9.6 grams of fish oil/day in an open-label study. An in vitro study using immune cells from healthy subjects was also conducted simultaneously to evaluate concentration effects of EPA and DHA on MMP-9 levels and activity.

The researchers found there was a 58 percent decrease in MMP-9 levels secreted from immune cells of MS volunteers after three months of fish oil supplementation compared to baseline levels. At three months, both EPA and DHA levels were significantly increased in red blood cell membranes. The in vitro study showed a significant decrease in MMP-9 levels and activity for EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease both MMP-9 levels and activity and may act as immune-modulators that could benefit MS patients.

According to Dr. Shinto, the lead researcher, “These findings confirm previous research findings that suggest the intake of fish oil, containing Omega-3 fatty acids could provide a measure of relief for those with MS, a disease that is progressive, debilitating, and without a cure.”

National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Inside MS - December 2006-January 2007

Allen C. Bowling, MD, PHD and Tom Stewart, JD, PA-C.

CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a group of diverse therapies and products that are neither part of conventional medicine as taught in U.S. medical schools, nor generally available at U.S. hospitals. The practice of using an unconventional therapy together with conventional medicine is called "complementary medicine."

Fat is an essential nutrient for the body. But as food ads endlessly trumpet, some are deemed "good" and others "bad." Polyunsaturated fat is commonly considered a "good" one. Compared to saturated and trans fats, which may raise blood cholesterol, polyunsaturated fat may help lower cholesterol and may therefore reduce the risk of heart disease.

Polyunsaturated fat contains two major types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)—omega-3 and omega-6—which the body needs but does not make for itself. Omega-3 fatty acids are found abundantly in certain fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines, and in fish oil products. Smaller amounts are found in a few other sources: canola oil, flaxseed, and walnuts.

Fishy benefits?
Polyunsaturated fat, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, has been the focus of a number of studies involving people who have MS. There's some evidence that they may be beneficial for the relapsing-remitting form of MS.

Two placebo-controlled clinical trials studied omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. A large, two-year study followed 312 people with MS. The group taking 10 grams of fish oil daily had less disability progression and fewer relapses than those taking a placebo (a "dummy pill"). However, the difference between the fish oil group and the placebo group was not "statistically significant." In other words, the more positive results in the fish oil group could have occurred due to chance alone. Technically though, there was a trend favouring the fish oil group.

A small, one-year study looked at whether taking fish oil supplements along with consuming less saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products) would benefit people with MS. All 31 participants were taking one of the FDA-approved MS medications. As in the other study, the group taking fish oil did better but, again, the difference was in a range that might have occurred due to chance alone. Results from the quality-of-life survey on physical functioning found that the trend favoured the fish oil group.

There is other evidence to consider as well. Specifically, omega-3 fatty acids are known to cause changes in the immune system that would theoretically be beneficial in people with MS...............

For the full article please click on the link above.

By: Jennifer Matthews, News 14 Carolina

You've heard that fish oil is good for you and some studies show it may even prevent Alzheimer's and heart disease. Doctors are now looking to see if it can decrease depression in a specific group of patients.

Simply putting on makeup can be difficult for Kendall Minter. She has multiple sclerosis -- a disease that causes double vision, numbness in her hand and depression.

Lynne Shinto, N.D., a naturopathic researcher at Oregon Health and Science University, says people with MS have high levels of inflammation in their blood, which could cause depression.

In a pilot study, Shinto gave fish oil to MS patients to see if it could decrease those levels. She says the results look promising.

After taking the fish oils for three months, Shinto says the patients' inflammation levels dropped by about 50 percent. Then, when they were taken off fish oil for three months, the levels went back up.

Shinto and her colleagues are now conducting another study to find out if the fish oil reduces depression and other symptoms of MS.

Minter is excited about the new study. She hopes it will also be a bonus for the up to 60 percent of MS patients who suffer depression.

So far, the only side effect is a fishy aftertaste and an upset stomach.

Shinto says there is some evidence that fish oil can help patients with depression who don't have MS, but more research needs to be done to confirm that.

BACKGROUND:

Fish oil supplements are dietary supplements containing oil from cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon, black cod, albacore tuna, sardines and herring. The active ingredients in fish oil supplements are essential fatty acids known as omega-3 fatty acids. Cold-water fish boast the most potent forms of omega-3s -- the essential fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 acids are also found in flaxseed oil and walnut oil. Along with omega-3, people also consume another essential fatty acid called omega-6. The main sources of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable oils such as corn oil and soy oil that contain a high proportion of linoleic acid. These are the acids people tend to consume too much of. Scientists believe a major reason for the high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some forms of cancer is the profound imbalance between our dietary intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Scientists are constantly uncovering new benefits of consuming fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids. Fish may help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure. Researchers have also discovered it can help prevent certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. Other benefits of getting your omega-3 acids include controlling diabetes, treating rheumatoid arthritis, minimizing Crohn's disease symptoms and also cosmetic benefits such as hair growth and smooth skin.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE:

According to scientists, the best way to get fish oil and essential fatty acids is to eat fish two to three times a week. Doctors, however, say if you do not eat enough fish throughout the week and decide to take fish oil supplements, you should avoid taking the entire dose at one time. Try splitting a 3,000-milligram daily dose into three 1,000-milligram doses, and take it throughout the day with meals. Researchers say for aging take 2,000 milligrams, for asthma take 3,000 milligrams, for diabetes take 6,000 milligrams and for high blood pressure take 3,000 milligrams.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Taking fish oil supplements can result in belching and flatulence, along with fishy odor on the breath, an upset stomach, or greasy stools. More serious side effects include a possible increase in LDL cholesterol, weight gain and decrease the absorption of vitamins A, E, D, and K from the stomach if fish oils are taken in large doses, a possible increase blood sugar, and also mild nosebleeds or bruising when fish oils are taken for long periods of time.

FISH OIL AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS:

Fish oil has recently been shown to help patients battling multiple sclerosis -- a disease that causes double vision, numbness in the hand and also depression. People with MS have high levels of inflammation in their blood, which could cause depression. Taking fish oil supplements may decrease those levels of inflammation and help eliminate depression in patients with MS.

Source: News14 Carolina - Copyright ©2005Charlotte News Channel, L.L.C d.b.a. News 14 Carolina

A one year study of 32 people with MS compared two different diets. One group received dietary advice to consume less than 15% of their total daily calories from fat and were given fish oil capsules.

The other group received olive oil capsules and were told to eat less than 30% of total daily calories from fat. The fish oil group experienced fewer exacerbations and did not develop new disability in the course of the trial.

Ref: Weinstock-Guttman B, et al. A randomised study of low fat diet with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2003;60S:A151.