Fish oil plays a key role in looking after our organ function, eye health, joints and mobility.
Is omega-3 part of your daily routine? It’s a supplement that has well-established cardiovascular benefits, and may even have neuroprotective effects and improve cognitive function – especially if the omega-3 fish oil you use is high in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Not all fish oils are created equal, though. Backed by human study, formulated by industry experts, and made and designed in New Zealand, Lester’s Oil and Lester’s Oil Advanced are premium omega-3 supplements that pack a powerful punch with their unique formulations – plus, why take six supplements when you could take one?
Health benefits for the brain and vision
As well as containing the two EPA and DHA omega-3s, Lester’s Oil Advanced has many beneficial key ingredients:
- Astaxanthin: a powerful antioxidant found in prawns and crayfish that has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and has shown promising results in improving cognition.
- Co-Enzyme Q10: an essential antioxidant for cellular energy production and has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. It may also protect the brain from ageing, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine: these are phospholipids that play a role in cell signalling and maintaining brain cell structure. Supplementing with these nutrients may improve cognitive function and reduce factors associated with cognitive decline.
- Vitamin D: deficiency in this vitamin has been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but the relationship between vitamin D and brain function is still not fully understood. Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to cerebrovascular events.
- Lutein and zeaxanthin: carotenoids found in plants and concentrated in the retina of the eye. They act as antioxidants and have been shown to have beneficial effects on eye health, particularly in preventing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Backed by research
In a human study conducted at a New Zealand university in 2014, Lester’s Oil was shown to increase participants’ omega-3 fatty acids levels by an average of 59 per cent in just four weeks.
The study was designed to minimise bias and placebo effects by blinding participants and researchers to the treatment regime, and blood, urine and faecal samples were collected throughout the study and analysed by various laboratories.
Preliminary results indicated that Lester’s Oil supplementation resulted in a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good fat’) and a significant decrease in triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are indicators for inflammation. Changes in cholesterol, LDL/cholesterol ratio, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were not significantly different between the Lester’s Oil group and the placebo group.
These results suggest that Lester’s Oil improved the health status of healthy individuals by reducing inflammation and improving lipid profiles, specifically increasing HDL and lowering triglycerides and CRP.
Explore the Lester’s Oil range at abouthealth.co.nz
