This time of year tends to make humans cranky.
In
most places it’s still too
dark
and cold, and if you’re like Tess, you’re tired of tip-toeing down
icy
driveways
trying
not to wipe out.
Alas, moods are bleak and joints are creaking with so many
gray
days and winter storms.
So
this kat is going to let you in on a secret.
You
can support
both
your mood
and your joints with SAM-e
and Fish Oil! Just consider this duo your winter season support kit.
Fish Oil for Mood: Unlikely Supplement Catches Harvard M.D.’s Eye
In
1993 Andrew L. Stoll, MD, of Harvard Medical School began seeking a new
treatment for bipolar disorder (manic depression). While lithium “worked,”
undesirable side-effects (weight gain, tremors, drowsiness, and emotional
flatness)
were hindering patient compliance.
Lithium stabilizes nerve cell membranes, so Stoll sought similar compounds
for his research. Surprisingly, out of hundreds of compounds, little fish
oil was the closest match!
Fish oil also stabilizes nerve cell walls,
but
without the dreadful side-effects
of prescription meds.
Stoll
also
discovered
the correlation between low levels of
omega 3s
in the body
and
depression.
Researchers
had not
previously
looked to fats for brain/mood
support, but
since
more than half of the brain's dry weight comes from fat,
the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are not so surprising.
Omega-3 fatty acids help form
healthy
cell membranes, keep
cell
membranes flexible, and regulate the flow of hormones and other chemical
messengers, including those that affect mood.
One study of Stoll’s
showed 11 of the 14 patients taking fish oil capsules reporting
fewer symptoms of depression, and only two had suffered a manic-depressive
episode since the study began.
In
contrast, only three of the 16 patients taking the olive oil placebo said
they felt any better, and nine had major attacks. Researchers stopped the
study early, partly because it seemed unethical to withhold fish oil from
any of the patients.
Thus,
Stoll helped pave the way for numerous omega-3 studies.
Cheers
for fish oil!
Fish Oil for Joints: Side-Effect-Free
Fish oil omega-3 components act to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and
cartilage degradative enzymes.
One study
conducted from March to June 2004 involved 250 patients suffering
non-surgical neck or back pain. Patients were asked to take a total of 1200
mg per day of ω-3 EFAs (eicosapentaenoic
acid and decosahexaenoic acid) found in fish oil supplements.
Of
the 250 patients, 125 returned the questionnaire
after
an
average of 75 days on fish oil. Seventy-eight percent were taking 1200 mg
and 22% were taking 2400 mg of EFAs.
-
59%
discontinued their prescription NSAID medications for pain.
-
60%
stated their overall pain was improved
-
60%
stated their joint pain had improved
-
80%
stated they were satisfied with their improvement
-
88%
stated they would continue to take fish oil
If
that weren’t enough, no significant side effects were reported.
Fish Oil Notes
However, if you're new to
using fish oil and you have a sensitive system, it may be best to start out
taking small amounts and work your way up. If you notice any digestive
sensitivities, try spreading you intake throughout the day and be sure to
take your fish oil with food.
If you're taking a blood
pressure medication, please consult with your health care practitioner, as
fish oil can have an additive effect to these meds.
You can be sure that the
marketing rats at other companies would not put this information in their
newsletters. If you like straight talk, you know I'm your kat! ^..^
SAM-e for Mood: Fast-Acting, Effective Brain Booster
SAM-e increases the action of several neurotransmitters such as dopamine,
serotonin,
and norepinephrine by facilitating the binding of these chemicals to cell
receptors.
A
number of neurotransmitters, fatty acids,
and
phospholipids must accept methyl groups from SAM-e for activation. Thus,
SAM-e's mood boosting is likely
due to its influence on neurotransmitter metabolism, membrane fluidity, and
receptor activity.
Interestingly, synthesis of SAM-e links with folate and vitamin B12
metabolism, and deficiencies of both these vitamins has been found to reduce
SAM-e concentrations in the central nervous system.
Both folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies
may cause similar neurological and cognitive disturbances,
including depression, dementia,
myelopathy
and
peripheral neuropathy.
At
the end of
one 4-week trial, 62% of the patients treated with SAM-e and
only
50%
of the patients treated with desipramine had significantly improved.
Regardless of the type of treatment,
patients
with improvements
showed a significant increase in plasma SAM-e concentration.
Fast fact:
Severely low levels of SAM-e
have been found in the cerebrospinal fluid and in
all brain regions of Alzheimer’s patients. Preliminary research
suggests SAM-e
may have potential in treating Alzheimer’s sufferers. A recent study on mice
found supplementary SAM-e
prevented Alzheimer’s-related oxidative damage and cognitive impairment!
SAM-e for Joints: Tissue Support
SAM-e molecules inhabit all body tissues and fluids. For joints in
particular, SAM-e works to support comfort by protecting both the
synovial fluid and cartilage cells. SAM-e has
also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
So
fair members, if you’ve
got the winter blahs, turn to your anti-inflammatory,
brain-boosting friends. For more information or to order, visit:
Protein, Casein & Gluten-Free
