More fats - Omega 3

We will only touch the trans fats in few phrases, just because every specialist knows, and they were actively reduced in the last 30 years. Trans fats strongly raise cholesterol LDL in plasma. They are companies that are pushing clever marketing campaign associating this fats and sugar with active life or relaxation. They are the today's villains, in the same way the tobacco companies agenda worked in the Seventies, as this is the main cause of obesity, one of the roots of multiple health problems.

Omega 3 - or as it is called n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), are the following: linolenic acid, EPA and DHA, also known as fish oil fatty acids. Their properties are different than n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated  fatty acids (MUFA). Omega 3 fatty acids are believed to lower blood triglyceride levels, reducing V - LDL in liver and stimulating V-LDL metabolism in muscle and tissue.

A bit of history: when the Inuit population was checked, they got a low occurrence of cardio-vascular diseases (CVD). Their diet is abundant in fatty fish and fish oil, so we reach the conclusion that this provides protection against different CVD. The following research discovered that this diet can provide a 0% to 40% reduction of CVD risk (again, the individual factor is prevalent) and decrease the risk of fatal CVD, but no effect was noted on heart dysfunctions (fibrillation and arrhythmia) .

In conclusion: we do not have enough data to gather strong evidence, but today we have excellent treatment options, so if you survive the first hearth attack, chances are that the second will never happen (we got statins, blood thinners, beta blockers, blood pressure lowering medicine).

N-3 PUFA, or Omega 3 as they are widely known, are effective for high triglycerides, likely effective for heart disease and possible effective for blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis and weight loss. They have potent anti-inflammatory actions.

The eicosanoids and their relation with the essential fatty acids

This is a bit complicated, but please read slowly and check the connections with the previous posts.

Not very well known, the eicosanoids have roles in virtually every process in the body. Mainly they are binding to receptors on the surface and inside the cells. They can be categorized in prostaglandins (prostacyclins, thromboxanes) and leukotrienes (lipoxins).

The main substrate for eicosanoids synthesis is the arachidonic acid, resulted from the linoleic acid, one of the essential fatty oils. The prostaglandins synthesis from arachidonic acid, catalyzed by cyclo-oxigenase, can be inhibited by certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (Aspirine).

The other essential fatty acid - the linolenic acid - is transformed in EPA - a precursor for other eicosanoids synthesis - types that have more anti-inflammatory properties. We can mention Resolvins - which are made only from EPA.

In US and Norway, the main source for linolenic acid is soybean oil and its derivatives (tofu and other soybean-based products). EPA and DHA are obtained from krill and algae, but the real source is the algae producing the EPA/DHA, which is consumed by the krill, which in turn is eaten by the fishes. (30% of the fatty acids are in DHA form). In the infant formula all over the globe, the DHA  is coming from algae.

As you can see, i mentioned the essential fatty acids, the linoleic (part of the n-6 fatty acids family) and the linolenic acid (part of the n-3 fatty acids family). Those fatty acids need to be provided in diet, the lack of it can lead to poor growth and even death. They are essential because mammals cannot introduce double bonds beyond Carbon10 (counting from the carboxyl (end of the fatty acid). We cannot introduce Delta12 and Delta15, but we can make arachidonic acid (C20:4, N-6) from linoleic acid (C18:2:N-6) and EPA (C20:5,N-3) from linolenic acid ( C18:3, N-3).

The linoleic acid is a precursor for the arachidonic acid, source for various eicosanoids (functions in the body, pain management, immune function, blood pressure regulation and blood clotting). The linolenic acid is a precursor for EPA (eicosapentoic acid) and DHA (docosahexapentoic acid), serving to certains prostaglandins, such as the phospholipids in the brain and retina (from DHA). EPA and DHA can be found only in fatty fish and are sometimes reffered as fish oil fatty acids. A vegan or vegetarian diet will never have any EPA/DHA, so you will need to compensate by choosing good sources for linoleic and linolenic acids.

Supplement trends - Uridine monophosphate

Uridine monophosphate

Uridine monophosphate (UMP), also known as 5′-uridylic acid (conjugate base uridylate), is a nucleotide that is used as a monomer in RNA. It is an ester of phosphoric acid with the nucleoside uridine. UMP consists of the phosphate group, the pentose sugar ribose, and the nucleobase uracil; hence, it is a ribonucleotide monophosphate. As a substituent or radical its name takes the form of the prefix uridylyl-. The deoxy form is abbreviated dUMP.

In brain research studies, uridine monophosphate is used as a convenient delivery compound for uridine. Uridine is the active component of this compound. Uridine is present in many foods, mainly in the form of RNA. Non-phosphorylated uridine is not bioavailable beyond first-pass metabolism, as it is almost entirely catabolised in the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Uridine Monophosphate, also known as UMP, is one of four major components of ribonucleic acid (RNA); the other three are adenosine, guanine and cytidine. Below are products containing uridine in the form of RNA. However, uridine in this form is bioavailable. It is destroyed by the liver and gastrointestinal tract, and the food intake does not increase the level of uridine in the blood. In infant’s consuming breast milk or commercial infant formula, uridine monophosphate present as, and this is indeed a source of uridine bioavailability and enters the blood. Consumption of food rich RNA may lead to increased levels of purines (adenosine and guanosine) in the blood. High levels cause an increase in purines uric acid levels and can impair or lead to the development of diseases such as gout. Moderate consumption of yeast, about 5 grams per day will provide adequate levels of uridine, for health improvement with minimal side effects. It has been suggested that RNA from yeast products must be chemically reduced, if these products are consumed in large amounts (50 g or more per day) as a source of protein. However, such processing is expensive and is rarely used. Harvard researchers have reported that the addition of uridine and EPA / DHA omega-3 fatty acids in rats act as antidepressants. Uridine plays an important role in glycolysis pathway galactose. There is no catabolic process for the metabolism of galactose. Thus, the galactose into glucose and glucose metabolized in the general way. After converting incoming galactose-1-phosphate (Gal-1-P), it participates in the reaction with UDP-glucose, a glucose molecule attached to a molecule of UDP (uridine di-phosphate). This process is catalyzed by the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridiltransferazy and transmits the UDP galactose molecule. The result is a molecule UDP-galactose and glucose molecule-1-phosphate. This process continues for the galactose molecule glycolysis.

Often uridine is used in conjunction with cytidine. Nucleotide such as uridine triphosphate and cytidine monophosphate is used to treat diseases of the central nervous system. Cytidine active substance participates in the synthesis of complex lipids forming the neuronal membrane, preferably sphingomyelin – a chief component of myelin membrane. Furthermore, cytidine is a precursor of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), is a serious component of cell metabolism. Uridine active substance acts as a coenzyme participating in the synthesis of neuronal structures of glycolipids and myelin sheath, thereby complementing the action of cytidine. Uridine is a source of energy in the process of muscle contraction. The combined effects of cytidine and uridine contribute to the regeneration of the myelin sheath, as well as the proper conduction of nerve impulses and restore muscle trophism.

Indicated for the treatment:

– Neuropathies osteoarticular etiology (lumbago, sciatica);
– Neuropathies metabolic etiology (diabetic, alcoholic polyneuropathy);
– Neuropathies infectious etiology (shingles);
– Inflammation of the facial nerve;
– Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve;
– Intercostal neuralgia;
– Lumbodynia.

Perform classical pharmacokinetic studies practically impracticable, because the medicament contains physiological products and cannot determine with accuracy the amount of endogenous and exogenous components. Due to the heavy load radiological also impossible to carry out analysis using labeled (radioactively) product. Given the low toxicity of the drug, overdose is unlikely even if unintentional excess of therapeutic doses. It does not affect driving and work that requires high concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions. In patients with hypersensitivity may develop allergic reactions.

Uridine can be found in many foods such as tomatoes, beer, and breast milk. Uridine can bypass the blood-brain barrier effectively by one of two neuro transporters known as equilibrate and concentrative. Uridine also when administered orally causes a production of CDP-choline.

Uridine is a Ribonucleoside, which are the building blocks for both RNA and DNA. Uridine is one of the four essential components of RNA (ribonucleic acid), and is absorbed within the intestinal tract. Studies have shown that supplementation of Uridine along with Choline and fish oil increases synaptic formation and function, showing improvement in persons suffering from mild Alzheimer’s Disease. This nootropic may increase or raise dopamine levels within the brain.
(Now these are two side effects that i will be happy to trigger, dopamine being the cause of most of our addictions - hint - decrease or stop smoking, caffeine or alcohol consumption, and synaptic formation and function means that the brain can regenerate and perform better.)

Other key element is that it is working better in combination with fish oil (Omega 3) supplements. I was already talking about the benefits of having a daily supplementation of Omega 3 fatty acids, and seems that a minimal dose of uridine will greatly increase the benefits of the aforementioned fatty acids.

You can find good sources of Uridine online.

Vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and one pocket guide to have them all

I just started to work on some research on the nutrients that i mentioned in the title. First i wanted just to do a list and a text file for me, but then i was told that this is a very useful information, by many of my friends. So, if you ever wondered what is EAR (estimated average intake), RDA (recommended dietary allowance), AI (adequate intake) or UL (tolerable upper intake level), you gonna find it out. It is work in progress.

See you all soon!
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