What’s the thinking behind OG ømega-3 PLUS? Creating the ultimate Omega-3 supplement

BY PROFESSOR EMERITUS BJARNE ØSTERUD, TROMSØ, NORWAY FOR OG SCIENCE + WELLBEING.

“In the mid 1980s I discovered that some of my blood cells, especially monocytes (white blood cells) and my blood platelets were hyperactive. Since both these cells play an important role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI), it was essential to see whether the activity of the cells and production of inflammatory products in blood could be suppressed by the intake of a simple food supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids.

Along with my research team we carried out a clinical study on 40 healthy subjects, using refined cod liver oil (CLO) that produced encouraging results on both blood coagulation activity as well as inflammatory products in the blood. But when a similar study was performed by substituting the CLO with an 85% concentrate of pure omega-3 fatty acids, (EPA+DHA), it failed to have the same effects as we had seen with the CLO. We concluded,therefore, that certain beneficial ingredients had been removed during the production of the omega-3 concentrate.

At this time I observed that several of my close family members were in similar way as myself, disposed for increased risk of cardiovascular disease independent of cholesterol levels.”

The Damaging Effects of Oxidation
Against this background and in collaboration with Professor Edel O. Elvevoll, we performed a large study on the effects of supplementing the diet with cold pressed whale oil and certain other refined marine oils, such as cod liver oil (CLO) and seal oil. This diet was widely believed to be the reason for the Inuit’s resistance to cardiovascular disease. We noticed that the cold pressed whale oil was superior in its beneficial effects on coagulation, as well as inflammatory products in the blood, when compared to the other refined oils (1). This was despite the fact that the whale oil contained only half the omega-3 fatty acids of the other oils.
Interestingly when the cold pressed whale oil was refined, (the Inuit consumed raw whale andseal blubber and some fish) most of the beneficial effects were lost. We interpreted this as an essential requirement for additional antioxidants to enable the significant benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids to be effective after consumption. This was confirmed when in another study on atherosclerosis using mice, we found that cold pressed whale oil had reduced the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch, whereas refined oil (antioxidants extracted) had no such effect (2).

The problem of oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids in the body was exemplified through a study of heart disease patients (3). In this study, it was shown that when patients with atherosclerotic heart disease, were fed 5 gram of omega-3 fatty acid concentrate for 6 months, they developed increased angina and occlusions of the arteries. At the same time there was a significant rise in the levels of inflammatory products measured in their blood. Obviously, the lack of antioxidants in their diet resulted in the oxidation of the omega-3 fatty acids and increased stress in the vessel wall (vasculature system).

Introducing a powerful antioxidant – Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Our recognition of the significance of antioxidants in preventing the oxidation of the omega-3 fatty acids enabling them to deliver their significant beneficial effects, led us to the development of a formula that introduced cold pressed extra virgin olive oil to refined seal oil.
Our tests on an animal model indicated a reduction in atherosclerotic lesions of 57% (4) in the aortic arch compared to 17% for an omega-3 concentrate. And later independent testing in the Netherlands was to show a reduction of 71%. This clearly demonstrates that a product rich in antioxidants (cold pressed olive oil) in combination with seal oil, rich in EPA and DHA and even more importantly a relatively high amount of the omega-3 fatty acid DPA, is a highly effective omega-3 product.

DPA – The Underrated and Overlooked Omega-3 fatty acid
The content of DPA in fish oil is very low compared to seal oil and this may account for the beneficial effect of seal oil in making the platelets less active (less sticky). Platelets play a central role in the development of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI) as well as ischemic stroke (arteries to the brain are blocked). This together with the antioxidants in olive oil, which provide such powerful anti-inflammatory effects as evidenced by the reduction in atherosclerotic lesions but also the reduction of hsCRP in humans (24.0%, not published).
Interestingly DPA, which is a good inhibitor of platelets (5), has been shown to provide a lower risk of ischemic stroke than EPA (6). Furthermore, DPA was associated with a lower risk of total CHD whereas Ala, EPA and DHA were not (7).

In line with this study, the Edinburgh Artery Study showed that DPA was the only long chain omega-3 that reduced the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis (8). In still another epidemiological study of older adults, higher circulating plasma levels of DPA were associated with lower total mortality, including those from coronary heart disease (CHD) (9).
The Herring – Traceable. Sustainable. And Rich in Omega-3s.

When OG Science + Wellbeing asked me to reproduce our Inuit influenced, omega-3 formula in a more sustainable, commercial form it was clear that the new formula must still be rich in Cold pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. But an alternative to seal oil was a priority. I selected the finest North Atlantic Herring – staple of the healthy Nordic diet. Richer than salmon in the omega 3s EPA and DHA, but also containing significant quantities of Erucic Acid, a long chained monounsaturated fatty acid which had demonstrated a dramatic reduction in atherosclerotic lesions in laboratory tests on mice (10). In order to maintain a daily intake of 1000mg Omega-3s we added a concentrate rich in DPA, which had been present in our original Inuit influenced formula. We also enriched the DHA content as it is widely known to have a beneficial effect on the brain.

Thus, we have created a new and effective, scientifically tested, omega-3 product that provides a daily intake of 1000 mg of omega-3s. Its advantage over many other omega-3 products is the stabilization of the omega-3 fatty acids by potent antioxidants in the olive oil.
Additionally it contains more beneficial DPA than in other omega-3 products from fish oils or alternative sources such as krill oil. This is especially important based on the observations described above for DPA. This new product, which we have called OG OMEGA-3 PLUS has been independently tested in a cholesterol sensitive mouse model and shown to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation by 56.7% and reduce cholesterol by 33%.

Uncertainty concerning the Efficacy of Omega-3 supplements
In 2018 two major reports based on meta-analysis failed to show that omega-3 fatty acids had any association with fatal or non-fatal heart disease (11, 12) suggested that increasing EPA and DHA had little or no effect on mortality or cardiovascular health. However as a result of our own research and others, we believe that protection of the omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation, not only in the capsules but also when the omega-3s get into the body, is essential for fulfilling their beneficial effects. The earlier recommendation of 250 mg EPA and DHA dosage per day, is also probably too low to give any significant effect on cardiovascular health, which in our opinion is very much dependent on the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega-3 products in combination with antioxidants. Another issue, is the insignificant levels of DPA in all the omega-3 products used for the studies referred to above.

Marine v Plant Based Omega-3s
We constantly read glowing reports of plant-based oils that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and how wonderful they are for our health. These plant based omega-3 fatty acids are the short- chain omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid (ALA, 18: 3 n-3), while there may also be a lot of omega-6 fatty acids, especially linoleic acid (18: 2 n-6). In soybean oil, this fatty acid constitutes up to 60% of the total content of the fatty acids.

On the other hand, olive oil is almost free of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, while it contains large amounts (up to 80%) of so-called mono-unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, 18: 1, n-7, n-9). However, the short-chained omega-3 fatty acids have hardly any biological effect and have to be transferred to long-chained omega-3 fatty acids. This conversion of ALA is very slow, which means that plant based omega-3 fatty acids fail to play a role comparable to omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources. The short-chained omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, in plant oils such as soya oil, is fortunately also converted slowly to the long chained fatty acid, arachidonic acid, as this fatty acid is rather pro-inflammatory. We know that the FADS genes is regulating this conversion, and this gene differs across different populations (13).

References

1. Østerud B, Elvevoll E, Barstad H, Brox J, Halvorsen H, Lia K, Olsen JO, Olsen RL, Sissener C, Rekdal O, et al. Effect of marine oils supplementation on coagulation and cellular activation in whole blood. Lipids. 1995; 30:1111-8.
2. Walquist MJ, Stormo SK, Østerud B, Elvevoll EO, Eilertsen KE. Cold-pressed minke whale oil reduces circulating LDL/VLDL-cholesterol, lipid oxidation and atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a Western-type diet for 13 weeks. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2018; 15:35. doi: 10.1186/s12986-018-0269-8. eCollection 2018
3. Arnesen, H, Seljeflot, I. Studies on very long chain marine n-3 fatty acids in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease with special focus on mechanisms, dosage and formulas of supplementation. Cell Mol Biol 2010; 56:18–27.
4. Eilertsen KE, Mæhre HK, Cludts K, Olsen JO, Hoylaerts MF Dietary enrichment of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with extra virgin olive oil in combination with seal oil inhibits atherogenesis. Lipids Health Dis. 2011;10:41. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-10-41.
5. Akiba S, Murata T, Kitatani K, Sato T. Involvement of lipoxygenase pathway in docosapentaenoic acid-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation. Biol Pharm Bull. 2000; 23:1293-7.
6. Saber H, Yakoob MY, Shi P, Longstreth WT Jr, Lemaitre RN, Siscovick D, Rexrode KM, Willett WC, Mozaffarian D. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Incident Ischemic Stroke and Its Atherothrombotic and Cardioembolic Subtypes in 3 US Cohorts. Stroke. 2017; 48:2678-2685.
7. Del Gobbo et al. -3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biomarkers and Coronary Heart Disease: Pooling Project of 19 Cohort Studies. JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Aug 1;176(8):1155-66. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.2925. Erratum in: JAMA Intern Med. 2016; 176:1727-1728. JAMA Intern Med. 2016; 176:1728
8. Leng GC, Horrobin DF, Fowkes FG, Smith FB, Lowe GD, Donnan PT, Ells K. Plasma essential fatty acids, cigarette smoking, and dietary antioxidants in peripheral arterial disease. A population-based case-control study. Arterioscler Thromb. 1994; 14:471-478.
9. Mozaffarian D, Lemaitre RN, King IB, Song X, Huang H, Sacks FM, Rimm EB, Wang M, Siscovick DS Plasma phospholipid long-chain -3 fatty acids and total and cause-specific mortality in older adults: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2013; 158: 515-25. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-158-7-201304020-00003.
10. Yang ZH, Bando M, Sakurai T, Chen Y, Emma-Okon B, Wilhite B, Fukuda D, Vaisman B, Pryor M, Wakabayashi Y, Sampson M, Yu ZX, Sakurai A, Zarzour A, Miyahara H, Takeo J, Sakaue H, Sata M, Remaley AT Long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid-rich fish oil attenuates the development of atherosclerosis in mouse models. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016; 60 :2208-2218. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201600142.
11. Aung T, Halsey J, Kromhout D, Gerstein HC, Marchioli R, Tavazzi L, Geleijnse JM, Rauch B, Ness A, Galan P, Chew EY, Bosch J, Collins R, Lewington S, Armitage J, Clarke R; Omega-3 Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration. Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77917 Individuals. JAMA Cardiol. 2018; 3:225-234. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2017.5205.
12. Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, Biswas P, Thorpe GC, Moore HJ, Deane KH, AlAbdulghafoor FK, Summerbell CD, Worthington HV, Song F, Hooper L. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018; 11:CD003177. doi 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub4
13. Ye K, Gao F, Wang D, Bar-Yosef O, Keinan A.Dietary adaptation of FADS genes in Europe varied across time and geography. Nat Ecol Evol. 2017; 1:167. doi: 10.1038/s41559-017-016