Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These PUFAs can not be synthesized by the human body but has many health benefits. The health effects have been extensively documented and probably the most known effect of omega-3 PUFAs is to reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases. There are also indications that omega-3 PUFAs may lower the risk for dementia and mitigate depression.

The most important omega-3 PUFAs in the human diet are:
1. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
2. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

ALA is found in plants, including chia, flaxseed, hemp, and nuts. Plants contain of fibers that are difficult to digest for humans and can reduce absorption of essential bioactives. Some studies indicate that ALA has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant properties. The human body contains enzymes that convert ALA into DHA and EPA, however, the conversion rates are often very low with ranges between 1% to 20%.

High concentrations of EPA and DHA are found in fish and shellfish. EPA and DHA in fish oil are easily absorbed by the human body. It is known that these PUFAs have different effects.
For instance, EPA is metabolized to eicosanoids that regulate fundamental physiological processes such as cell division and growth, blood clotting, muscle activity, and the secretion of digestive juices and hormones. Eicosanoids derived from EPA may reduce certain inflammatory processes that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
DHA is not involved in eicosanoid formation but is highly concentrated in the brain and involved in normal neurological development and functioning. Next to that, DHA is an important part of the retina and plays a role in visual development and normal eye function.

EPA

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These PUFAs can not be synthesized by the human body but has many health benefits. The health effects have been extensively documented and probably the most known effect of omega-3 PUFAs is to reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases. There are also indications that omega-3 PUFAs may lower the risk for dementia and mitigate depression.

The most important omega-3 PUFAs in the human diet are:
1. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
2. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

High concentrations of EPA and DHA are found in fish and shellfish. EPA and DHA in fish oil are easily absorbed by the human body. It is known that these PUFAs have different effects.

For instance, EPA is metabolized to eicosanoids that regulate fundamental physiological processes such as cell division and growth, blood clotting, muscle activity, and the secretion of digestive juices and hormones. Eicosanoids derived from EPA may reduce certain inflammatory processes that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

DHA

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These PUFAs can not be synthesized by the human body but has many health benefits. The health effects have been extensively documented and probably the most known effect of omega-3 PUFAs is to reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases. There are also indications that omega-3 PUFAs may lower the risk for dementia and mitigate depression.

The most important omega-3 PUFAs in the human diet are:
1. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
2. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
3. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

DHA is not involved in eicosanoid formation but is highly concentrated in the brain and involved in normal neurological development and functioning. Next to that, DHA is an important part of the retina and plays a role in visual development and normal eye function.

Choline

Choline is an essential vitamin-like nutrient involved in many physiological processes, including (liver) metabolism, lipid transport, cell reactions, and brain function. Choline was officially recognized as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine in 1998.

Foods with the highest choline concentration are: chicken meat, salmon, eggs, wheat germ, and milk. Although the human body can synthesize choline itself, the amount that is produced is not sufficient to meet its essential requirements. The liver is dependent on choline to function properly by transporting liver fats, maintaining liver cell health, and normal blood concentrations of toxic compounds such as homocysteine by contributing to normal homocysteine metabolism.

Choline is needed to produce acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for memory, mood, muscle control, and other brain and nervous system functions. Choline also plays important roles in modulating gene expression, cell membrane signalling, lipid transport and metabolism, and early brain development.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:

• Choline contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function
• Choline contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism
• Choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism

Vitux AS has provided a white paper about the beneficial effects of choline and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B is a group of bioactives that are water-soluble:
• Thiamine – B1
• Riboflavin – B2
• Niacin – B3
• Pantothenic acid – B5
• Pyridoxine – B6
• Biotin – B7
• Folate – B9
• Cobalamin – B12

Since most B-vitamins are combined in the same food sources (grains, meat and fish), they easily interact and support each other’s function. These vitamins mainly function as co-enzymes in a variety of metabolic and biochemical reactions. B vitamins are essential for:
• Maintaining the energy metabolism
• Cardiac function
• Proper growth and development
• Maintenance of cells and organs

Niacin – B3

Niacin plays a role in reducing cholesterol blood levels. The mechanism behind this is that niacin increases the ‘good’ cholesterol, e.g. high density lipoproteins (HDL), that helps to remove the ‘bad’ low density lipoproteins (LDL) from the blood. EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:
• Niacin – Vitamin B3 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
• Niacin – Vitamin B3 contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes
• Niacin – Vitamin B3 contributes to the normal function of the nervous system
• Niacin – Vitamin B3 contributes to normal psychological functions

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B is a group of bioactives that are water-soluble:

• Thiamine – B1
• Riboflavin – B2
• Niacin – B3
• Pantothenic acid – B5
• Pyridoxine – B6
• Biotin – B7
• Folate – B9
• Cobalamin – B12

Since most B-vitamins are combined in the same food sources (grains, meat and fish), they easily interact and support each other’s function. These vitamins mainly function as co-enzymes in a variety of metabolic and biochemical reactions. B vitamins are essential for:

• Maintaining the energy metabolism
• Cardiac function
• Proper growth and development
• Maintenance of cells and organs

Pyridoxine – B6

Pyridoxine often works as a co-enzyme and has more than 100 different enzyme reactions. Most of these are involved in the metabolism of proteins. In addition, it also supports the carbohydrate metabolism, immune function and red-blood cell function (hemoglobin formation).

EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:

• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal psychological functions
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis
• Pyridoxine – B6 can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system
• Pyridoxine – B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity