A Message From Dr. Lundell
You Are What You Eat!
Eating right and keeping your weight at a healthy level is proving to be more important than ever. Recent research shows a link between the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fats and their effect on obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the best examples of diseases that are linked to chronic inflammation. When a person is overweight, the tissues overloaded with fats are considered a threat by the immune system by attracting a large number of macrophages, a type of inflammatory blood cell. These cells secrete a cocktail of inflammatory compounds that damage the surrounding cells and make them unable to control sugar levels in response to the insulin signal. Over time, this insulin resistance will cause the pancreas to stop functioning, leading to a high blood-sugar level characteristic of diabetes.
A group of American researchers recently showed that long-chain omega-3 fats could counteract the inflammation associated with obesity and the subsequent development of type 2 diabetes. They observed that DHA and EPA (2 of the principal omega-3’s) were specifically linked to a protein called GPR120, a receptor located exclusively on the surface of inflammatory macrophages. This link causes a series of complex reactions that result in complete inhibition of the production of inflammatory compounds by macrophages. Among animals, the impact of this anti-inflammatory action is spectacular: the simple addition of a source of omega-3 to the diet of obese mice caused a dramatic reduction of inflammation, as well as a marked improvement in the response to insulin.
These observations show once again that what we eat can have major repercussions on how we function, and consequently, to our well-being and health. It is therefore recommended that people eat one to two meals per week that include products rich in omega-3, notably fish like salmon and sardines, in an effort to reduce and prevent inflammation and disease.
HeartShot is an excellent source of long chain \omega-3 containing 500 mg of the critical inflammation fighters EPA and DHA.
Don't forget to take your HeartShot!
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