Fish oil tablets 'could fight chronic fatigue syndrome'

BBC News ^ | 9/5/02

[truthandlife]

Chronic fatigue syndrome or ME may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, according to doctors. They have also suggested that taking certain fish oil supplements may help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the condition.

Chronic fatigue syndrome affects an estimated 243,000 people of all ages in the UK.

It causes a wide range of symptoms including muscle pain, memory loss, and severe exhaustion which can last many years and leave victims bed-ridden.

Dr Basant Puri and colleagues at Hammersmith Hospital in London used state-of-the-art scanning technology to assess chemical activity in the brain.

They examined a group of eight people who had been diagnosed with the syndrome and the same number of healthy people.

Brain chemicals

They found higher levels of two key chemicals - choline and creatine - in the brains of people with the condition.

Choline is important for controlling fat levels in brain cells while creatine provides energy.

The doctors said the findings suggested CFS patients had abnormal phospholipid metabolisms.

Phospholipids are special types of fats which are an essential component of cells. They are protected by certain types of fatty acids.

Doctors at Hammersmith believe fatty acid supplements could help to restore the chemical imbalance in the brain and alleviate the symptoms of CFS.

However, the supplements need to have high Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA if it is to be effective.

Dr Puri said: "This study suggests that if patients with CFS take a high-EPA fatty acid supplement, then this should have a beneficial action on the chemical imbalances in the brain which we have identified."

But the charity Action for M.E. warned that the condition is complex.

Chris Clark, its chief executive, said: "CFS is a complex illness and all the evidence so far suggests that there's no single cause."

But he added: "We will look at this research with great interest."

The study is published in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.

[APBaer]

FYI
I believe you wrote about fish oil, from deep sea fish, yesterday.

[Revolting cat!]

Link to yesterday's thread?

I was just about to start taking fish oil tablets myself after reading a recommendation somewhere a few days ago, I can't remember where. (Since my mem'ry's gone already, it couldn't hurt anymore, could it?) Now what?

[Revolting cat!]

Oops, you seem to have misunderstood the article. It helps, not exarcebates, dumby! Re-take your speed reading course! Never mind!

[Myrddin]

You want pharmaceutical grade, fractionated fish oil. The beneficial levels of DHA and EPA that are required take upwards of 20 capsules of "food grade" fish oil capules DAILY. That comes with lots of pollutants. Check out Barry Sears' Omega RX Zone for a comprehensive discussion of the value of the fish oil and why you want to go for the pharmaceutical grade.

[blam]

"I believe you wrote about fish oil, from deep sea fish, yesterday."

Yes, but I can't remember what thread that was on or I would link it.

[APBaer]

"Link to yesterday's thread?"

Threas was about beneficial effects of aspirin:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/744472/posts

[APBaer]

"Link to yesterday's thread?"

Thread was about beneficial effects of aspirin:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/744472/posts

[blam]

Ah, here it is:

Can An Aspirin A day Keep Artherosclerosis At Bay

[mrustow]

I've heard that AKITA supplements also help against chronic fatigue syndrome. At least that's what my wife, the nurse, says.

[Moosilauke]

For more info on current knowledge about omega-3s check the book by Andrew Stoll.

[truthandlife]

That is what I use, flax seed oil. It has done wonders to my pains in my shoulder. I no longer have the pains I use to have when I went to the gym.

[Black Agnes]

Yup, store these capsules in the fridge. Use only ones labeled 'cold pressed' or some such...

A book that talks about all these and more is The Perricone Prescription

Haven't tried it myself but have read bits & pieces of the book.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Sure, why not take a BS non-medicine for a s
"syndrome" that doesn't exist? Should work at least as well as homeopathy (although some of you undoubtedly believe in that old fraud, too).

[Black Agnes]

I think the rational is that these act as prostaglandin inhibitors. They're also useful for PMS. (but you have to take them all month, not just when you're P'msing)

[mrustow]

That's why my wife swears by AKITA.

[BlueAngel]

Where can you find AKITA supplements? Thanks.

[gura]

It's a catch-22. Fish oil pills are better sealed against oxygen, but are exposed to some heat, so some of them may have fatty acids that have already oxidized. Flax and hemp oil are more "pure", but they go bad faster. Fish oil gives you straight EPA/DHA whereas flax and hemp oil just give you the precursors to EPA/DHA - it's up to your body to convert it.

So just take both and eat lots of fish in addition. :-)

I'm always surprised by how many lifters there are on FR.

Getting psyched for deads tonight,

Scott in KC

[The Westerner]

Started taking the omegas on the advice of my optometrist who said they have helped some of her patients who have very dry eyes. She recommended fish oils vs. flax seed for this purpose. I'm still experimenting with different brands and have no clear idea about the necessary dose, so this thread is helpful.