Into the Heart

The Anti-inflammatory Activity of DHA/EPA: Flaxseed

Omega 3 (DHA/EPA) have natural anti-inflammatory activity because they inhibit the conversion of arachidonic acid to the pro-inflammatory: prostaglandin E2, thromboxane A2 and leukotriene B4, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin 1 alpha.

TNF-a is released by stimulated mast cells. Cells involved in inflammation have receptors for TNF-a and are activated to synthesize more TNF-a, this amplifies the inflammation response.

Omega 3 significantly inhibits the lipoxygenase (LOX-5 pathway) which is responsible for the conversion of arachidonic acid to inflammatory leukotrienes in neutrophils and monocytes. This also supresses phopholipase C-mediated signal transduction which is also involved in inflammatory conditions.

Omega 3 also significantly inhibit the conversion of pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid to the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase COX-2.

In addition to salmon, sardines and mackerel; walnuts and flaxseed also have high levels of omega 3.  Hodgson Mill milled flaxseed provides 2600 mg of omega 3 oils per two tablespoons. Hodgson Mill is available in many foodstores in the baking section. Milled flaxseed can be added to oatmeal, cold cereal etc. Enjoy a tablespoon of milled flaxseed throughout the week to help bock inflammatory mediators.

DHA: Cell Protector & Brain Nourisher

DHA has an important role in the metabolic pathways of the peroxisome. The peroxisome is a single membrane organelle present in nearly all eukaryotic cells (membrane bound cell structures). The peroxisome system is involved in several metabolic processes including the oxidation of long and very long chain fatty acids, of cholesterol synthesis, bile acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism and purine metabolism.

Hydrogen peroxide is a byproduct of fatty acid oxidation. The enzyme catalase is an enzyme that prevents hydrogen peroxide from harming the cell. Catalase is located in the peroxisome. DHA enables the catalase enzyme to protect the cell.

DHA is incorporated into the cell membranes of red blood cells, platelet cells and cells of the brain and retina. DHA is a determinant of membrane fluidity in brain cells, is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. As a brain nourisher; DHA is an essential component in the maintenance of normal cognition and mood. In addition to coldwater fish, walnuts have high levels of omega 3.

Salmon, Vitamin B5 and the Nervous Control of the Heart.

The sympathetic and para-sympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system work in direct opposition to one another to regulate the heart.
The Sympathetic Nervous System innervates the heart through the cardiac plexus (a network of nerves at the base of the heart).
The primary neurotransmitter of the SNS is norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine increases heart rate and contractility force.

The Para-sympathetic Nervous System innervates the heart through the vagus nerve (the 10th cranial nerve).
The primary neurotransmitter of the PNS is acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine slows the heart rate and atrioventricular conduction.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), is a water-soluble vitamin involved in the Kreb’s cycle of energy production and is also needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Vitamin B5 is also essential in producing, transporting and releasing energy from fats.

Liver, kidney, salmon and brown rice have high concentrations of Vitamin B5. Brown rice with wild rice compliments salmon patties and broiled salmon.

Sources:
www.cvphysiology.com

Physicians Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplements
www.pdr.com search pantothenic acid, Vitamin B5

Cardio Protective Dietary Omega 3

Dietary omega 3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) help prevent heart disease through a variety of actions. DHA/EPA help prevent arrhythmias, have anti-inflammatory properties, inhibit the synthesis of cytokines and mitogens, stimulate enothelial derived nitric oxide, are anti-thrombotic and help lower triglycerides.

A mitogen is a substance that induces cell division. A cytokine is a small protein that has a specific effect on the interactions between cells, on communications between cells, or on the behavior of cells. Mitogens and cytokines contribute to the formation, maintenance and progression of arterial plaque.

The endothelium is the inner most lining of the artery. It is a very thin protective layer of endothelial cells.

In addition to its vasodilatory effect, nitric oxide also protects the endothelium against vascular injury, inflammation and thrombosis. More specifically, nitric oxide helps inhibit leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium, maintains vascular smooth muscle in a nonproliferative state and limits platelet aggregation.

Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid that must be obtained through the diet because it cannot be made by the human body.

Four ounces of:
canned, drained salmon contains 2.2 grams of omega 3.
canned, drained mackerel contains 2.2 grams of omega 3.
canned, drained sardines in oil contains 1.8 grams
of omega 3.
cooked cold water salmon, fresh/frozen contains
1.7 grams of omega 3.

Nutritional Source:
Tufts University School of Medicine
www.tufts.edu

New Markers of Inflammation and Endothelial Cell Activation
Circulation 2003, 108: 1917-1923.

EPA omega 3 and Healthy Blood Vessels

Thromboxane A2 is a potent inflammatory compound produced by cells in response to injury. Thromboxane A2 causes blood vessels to constrict and the blood to clot (platelet aggregation). Down regulating thromboxane A2 helps block inflammatory responses and helps regulate blood pressure which reduces damage to the vascular endothelium: the inner protective lining of the artery.

EPA omega 3 inhibits the synthesis of thromboxane A2 from arachidonic acid in platelets (small blood cells). Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid from which series 2 and 4 inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and prostaglandins are generated.

Of additional benefit: fish oils enhance the synthesis of prostacyclin, a prostaglandin that produces vasodilation and makes platelets less sticky. Therefore, platelets will not cluster and narrow the coronary arteries and blood vessels will not squeeze/constrict allowing blood to flow more freely to the cells & tissues of the heart. Unobstructed blood flow and dilated coronary arteries reduce the work load of the heart.

Source:
Importance of n-3 fatty acids in health and disease
William E Connor
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 71, No. 1, 171S-175S, January 2000

Fish Oils Nurture Cardiac Cell Membranes

The plasma cell membrane controls traffic in and out of cells.
Most biological activities are mediated by proteins embedded in the cell membrane bilayer; these include enzymes, receptors, carriers, pumps and the voltage gated ion channels responsible for the cardiac action potential.

It is the movement of ions across cardiac cell membranes that generates the electrical potentials that activate the heart. Cardiac action potential are understood in terms of these structural changes in the proteins that control ion fluxes across the plasma membrane.

When free fatty acids, trans-fats and fish oils are incorporated into cardiac cell membranes they alter such functioning as opening, closing and inactivation of ion channels.

Trans fatty acids have a negative affect on cardiac cell membranes. The incorporation of fish oils has a favorable affects on cardiac cell membranes.

Keep in mind like dissolves like, fats dissolve in fats. As such, to help increase the bioavailability of fish oils to cardiac cell membranes, it is important consume fish or a fish oil supplement with other fatty foods.

Source:
Trans-Fatty Acids and Sudden Cardic Death,  Arnold M. Katz MD
Circulation 2002; 105;669-671

Fish Oils have Anti-arrhythmic Properties

The heart is a rhythmic electromechanical pump.
The normal electrical activity in the heart is controlled by the movement of ions through specialized channels in the membranes of cardiac cells.
Several epidemiological studies suggest a cellular mechanism through which Omega 3 fish oils (DHA/EPA) affect ion channels to reduce the risk of arrhythmia.

There are six principal ion currents that contribute to the nodal and pacemaking cell action potential and ten that underlie the myocardial action potential. Changes in channel functioning, affect action potential repolarization and can lead to life threatening arrhythmias. Fish oils appear to help regulate ion channel functioning, and as such keep the heart beating rhythmically.

The myocardium forms the bulk of the heart and is composed mainly of cardiac muscle.

One Fish, Two Fish

Compared with no (or very low) intake, modest dietary intake of fatty fish and omega 3 from seafood, the equivalent of one fatty fish meal a week, is associated with a marked 40% - 50% reduction in sudden cardiac death.  As such, some intake of omega 3 from seafood appears to be better than none.

Both clinical and animal experimental evidence suggests that the effect of omega 3 fish oils on the risk of sudden cardiac death relates primarily to reduced vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation, rather than to a reduction in atherosclerosis or non fatal myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Source: Circulation. 2003; 107:2632 The Fish Story: A diet hypothesis with clinical implications: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, myocardial vulnerability and sudden death.