Your Brain on DHA
What is DHA?
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid—the most abundant of all the fatty acids most commonly found in the brain and eyes. But like many essential nutrients, DHA’s importance is often overlooked, and many Americans fall short of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) outlined by the US Department of Health.1,2 With all the cognitive, and other, benefits DHA has to offer, ensuring you get enough through your daily dietary intake is truly a no-brainer.

What are the benefits?
Not only does DHA account for over 50 percent of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain, it also turns on your brain’s growth hormone, known as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This helps support the survival and function of existing neurons and also encourages new neurons and synapses to grow.3,4 Unfortunately, BDNF circulation slows down with age and can be stunted by stress and other lifestyle factors.5 That’s why upping your DHA is so important.

Although DHA is essential at every age, it’s especially crucial during three particular stages of life:

Pregnancy
DHA can be helpful for baby’s development as well as mom’s recovery. A study showed that mothers who supplemented with omega-3s during pregnancy saw their children score higher on intelligence tests due to enhanced cognitive performance.6
For some mothers, pregnancy also takes a temporary toll on cognitive functioning and memory. Colloquially, it’s called “baby brain,” and it’s likely due to hormonal changes and the stressors placed on a woman’s body to meet the increased needs of her unborn baby. According to research, pregnancy can sometimes shrink brain tissue and cause long-term changes to brain structure.7,8 Recovery from pregnancy-induced brain changes can take years, but increased  dietary intake of DHA has been studied to help support the regrowth of cells along the way, as well as promote healthy brain development in the baby.9

Early childhood
Babies and young children are growing every day, so it’s hard to understate the importance of DHA on brain development during this tender season of life.9 In fact, higher levels of DHA are associated with improved learning skills, while DHA deficiency in children has been linked to cognitive and learning disorders.10 That’s why making sure babies and toddlers get their fair share (500-700 mg daily)2 is a vital part of early brain development.  

Older adulthood
The benefits of DHA are enormously promising for older adults looking to keep their brains sharp and healthy. In a study of over 1,500 men and women over the age of 65, those with the lowest levels of DHA had significantly lower brain volumes than those with higher DHA levels and scored lower on tests measuring both memory and abstract thinking skills.11 On the flip side, studies show higher levels of DHA in the body (1,600 mg RDA for those age 51 and older)2 have also been associated with a decreased risk for brain-related chronic illness.11,12  

DHA & gray matter
Our brains consist partly of something called “gray matter” (neural tissue that makes up a large amount of the central nervous system). Recent studies have supported a link between intelligence and the amount of gray matter in particular parts of the brain, which shrinks steadily in the years following adolescence. Though we naturally lose some brain volume over time, a higher intake of DHA is positively associated with gray matter volume and better cognitive function, even as we age.12 

Where can I get it?
You can get some of your DHA in foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines) as well as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts. But for vegans and vegetarians, as well as those with nut allergies, obtaining DHA through diet alone can be a challenge. It’s also important to be mindful of how often you eat certain kinds of fish due to high mercury content.

Supplementing with fish oils, a mainstay in many supplement regimens, can help fill in the gaps and give you the support you need for positive brain and cognitive development.1 There are many things to look out for when choosing a fish oil supplement, so keep these tips in mind while you shop.
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This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare professional for advice on medical issues.

References:

1. Papanikolaou Y et al. Nutr J. 2014;13:31.
2. US Department of Health & Human Services. National Institutes of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/. Accessed April 10, 2019.
3. Acheson A et al. Nature. 1995;374(6521):450–453.
4. Huang EJ et al. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2001;24:677–736.
5. Erickson KI et al. J Neurosci. 2010;30(15):5368-5375.
6. Helland IB. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):e39-44.
7. Kim P et al. Behav Neurosci. 2010;124(5):695–700.
8. Hoekzema E et al. Nat Neurosci. 2017;20(2):287–296.
9. Kuratko CN et al. Nutrients. 2013;5(7):2777–2810.
10. Horrocks LA et al. Pharmacol Res. 1999;40(3):211-225.
11. Tan ZS. Neurology. 2012;78(9):658-664.
12. Titova OE et al. Age. 2013;35:1495-1505.

Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team

Fish and shellfish are full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Great for our physical and cognitive wellbeing, they’re a solid addition to a nutritious diet.1 That said, not all seafood is created equal. This post will outline the differences between farm-raised and wild-caught fish, including their impact on our health and the environment.

What are the differences between farm-raised and wild-caught fish? Fishermen catch wild fish and shellfish in lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water. These fish eat a natural diet.
Farmed fish are bred for human consumption through a process called aquaculture. This means they live outside their natural environment and are generally given processed feed.2
Specifically, farmed fish are placed in pens submerged in ponds, lakes, or even saltwater.1 Some pens are filled with water and kept on land.
While this might not sound ideal, fish farming isn’t inherently bad. Sustainable farming practices have become more common than ever, as the World Bank estimates that almost two-thirds of seafood will be farm-raised by 2030. In Norway and Canada, for instance, most farmed salmon are cultivated through an eco-friendly recirculating aquaculture system.3
Here are some other items to consider:

• Since farm-raised fish consume a higher-fat diet, their flesh is usually softer than their wild-caught counterparts.1
• If seafood isn’t labeled “wild” or “wild-caught” at a grocery store or restaurant, it’s likely to have been farm-raised.1
• Farm-raised fish are usually less expensive than wild-caught alternatives.2 

Nutrition: Which fish variety is better for your health?
Fish have been shown in clinical studies to display anti-inflammatory properties, not to mention being rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.3 The overall quality of seafood, however, depends largely on what fish eat. Wild fish consume a natural diet lower in saturated fats.5
What does this mean? Let’s focus on salmon for a moment. In addition to being higher in saturated fat than wild salmon, farmed salmon contains more omega-3s and 46% more calories. The wild-caught stuff, however, is richer in minerals like potassium, zinc, and iron.4
Consider the following when evaluating both fish varieties for your health:

1. Polyunsaturated fats

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the two main polyunsaturated fats. Known as essential fatty acids (EFAs), they play an essential role in your diet—but you need to find a balance between the two.4
Most people consume too much omega-6, which may cause inflammation and other symptoms. And farm-raised salmon specifically—despite containing higher quantities of omega-3—has a significantly higher omega-3-to-omega-6 ratio.4 The ratio is still good enough, but it isn’t quite at the level you would find in wild seafood.

1. Trace metals

Both farm-raised and wild-caught fish contain small amounts of trace metals such as mercury. You can limit your mercury consumption by choosing salmon, canned light tuna, shrimp, squid, anchovies, trout, catfish, or other options that are lower on the food chain (and therefore less likely to contain elevated levels of the neurotoxin).6
Of course, the trace metals found in fish aren’t limited to mercury. Farmed salmon contains higher arsenic levels, while wild salmon contains more cobalt, copper, and cadmium.7 Fortunately, levels of trace metals in both wild and farmed fish are usually so low they’re unlikely to harm the average person.4

1. Contaminants

Wild and farmed fish may contain contaminants including pesticides, the carcinogen polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and other pollutants. Fish typically ingest these contaminants as part of their diet.4
Some studies indicate that farm-raised fish have higher levels of contaminants.4 Furthermore, seafood raised via aquaculture may have a higher rate of disease because of some of the farming practices and conditions.5

1. Antibiotics

In some regions of the world, farm-raised fish are given antibiotics to grow more tender and produce larger fish.1 Other places have more stringent governmental regulations.
For example, approximately 530 grams of antibiotics were used per ton of harvested Chilean salmon in 2016. (In contrast, Norway used just 1 gram of antibiotics per ton of harvested salmon in 2008.)4As such, it’s essential that you understand where your fish is from before consumption.

Sustainability: Which fish variety is better for the environment?
Fish accounts for 17% of our global protein intake.8 For this reason, we can’t rely on wild-caught fish alone. There just isn’t enough wild seafood to keep up with the growing demand.
Based on our current trajectory, there’s a global need for another 80 million tons of farmed fish per year by 2050.8 Yet aquaculture may be detrimental to the environment too. Use of antibiotics can cause damage to the environment and adversely affect human health as well.4
Moreover, when lots of fish are crammed together in a small space like a pen, they create a ton of waste that can pollute rivers, lakes, and oceans.8
And the environmental consequences of fish farming doesn’t end there, either. Some fish farms are disease-ridden, which can be toxic to the environment; in Indonesia, shrimp farming specifically has contributed to the decline of the nation’s mangrove forests.8
Since we don’t want to deplete what’s left of our wild fish resources, where does that leave us?
Fortunately, some experts say that feeding farmed fish a higher-quality diet free from antibiotics can help address some of the problems described above. Similarly, as fish farmers gain efficiency, governments will be more likely to offer incentives for the adoption of sustainable practices.8 Ideally, the environment will become an even greater focus for everyone in the near future.

The verdict on wild-caught vs. farm-raised fish
While wild seafood is generally healthier than farmed fish and shellfish, sustainable methods make many farm-raised options completely viable. Both wild-caught and farm-raised fish varieties offer plenty of protein, the omega-3 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and other essential nutrients.4
To make sure you’re eating top-quality seafood, be sure to look into where your seafood is from, and opt to eat local, low-mercury varieties when possible.

References:

1. Nania R. Forbes. https://wtop.com/food-restaurant/2015/06/what-you-need-to-know-about-farm-raised-vs-wild-caught-fish. Accessed March 28, 2019.
2. Corliss J. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/finding-omega-3-fats-in-fish-farmed-versus-wild-201512238909. Accessed March 28, 2019.
3. The World Bank Staff. The World Bank. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/02/05/raising-more-fish-to-meet-rising-demand. Accessed March 29, 2019.
4. Leech J. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/wild-vs-farmed-salmon#fatty-acids. Accessed March 28, 2019.
5. Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center Staff. Colorado State University. https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/wild-caught-vs-farm-raised-seafood. Accessed March 29, 2019.
6. U.S. Food & Drug Administration Staff. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborneillnesscontaminants/metals/ucm351781.htm. Accessed March 29, 2019.
7. Foran JA et al. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2004;(9):2108-2110.
8. Singh M. National Public Radio. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/06/06/319247280/can-farmed-fish-feed-the-world-without-destroying-the-environment. Accessed March 29, 2019.

Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are a way to help support the body’s natural ability to resolve physical stress.1 While the body can make SPMs naturally, supplementing with exogenous SPMs may help facilitate the body’s natural resolution process and completion of its response to physical challenges.2,3*
Metagenics, in collaboration with world-renowned leaders in the field of resolution physiology and other SPM experts, set the standard for defining SPM oils based on activity for use in nutraceutical formulas. But where do these SPMs come from?

From the first drop of marine oil through a specialized fractionation protocol and creation of the finished product, Metagenics follows a stringent, patent-pending process to create SPM Active®.

The SPM fractionation process:
SPM Active is developed through an advanced, patent-pending fractionation process which Metagenics exclusively brings to practitioners. SPM Active is a fraction produced from a high-quality marine oil. This fraction contains standardized levels of 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE, which can lead to the formation of resolvins, an important group of SPMs, in the body. The SPM Active fraction has also been shown to be bioactive and support the existing resolution mechanisms of the body.*

While SPMs are sourced from marine lipids, they are not the same as fish oil. In fact, work done during the development of SPM Active shows that fractions, from the same marine oil starting point, behave differently—not all are pro-resolving, and some fractions may have the opposite effect.4 This makes it essential to test and understand the bioactivity of SPM-rich oils.

Additionally, even though EPA and DHA are the precursors of SPMs, they do not have pro-resolving properties of SPMs.1 EPA and DHA require multiple downstream enzymatic conversions to form 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE, which are further converted into specialized pro-resolving mediators.

References

1. Serhan CN. FASEB J. 2017;31(4):1273-1288.
2. Barden AE et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;102:1357-1364.
3. Titos E et al. J Immunol. 2016;197:3360-3370.
4. Adapted from WO/2013/170006.  Accessed September 10, 2018.

Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team

Introducing SPM Active

New & Improved

SPM Active New & Improved delivers a greater concentration and dosing size of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) compared to the previous formula

What has Changed?
Double the concentration of 18-HEPE and 17-HDPA as compared to original SPM Active.
Softgel size is now double that of the original SPM Active.

What are the benefits for your patients?
Greater concentration and dosing size facilitates patient compliance.
Supplementing with SPMs may help facilitate the body's natural resolution process 

What hasn't changed?
The price
 
Why Metagenics SPM Active?
It offers a targeted nutritional approach that is designed to boost the body’s natural capacity to respond to physical stress and promote resolution.
Study in research models suggests that a short-term, high-fat diet may negatively impact natural production of specialized pro-resolving mediators.
Clinical case study results with SPM Active show significant improvement in biomarkers of activated immune function, increased quality of life, and reduced interference of symptoms during general activity.
Specialized pro-resolving mediators may help promote resolution of physical stress after an episode of strenuous physical exertion.

Metagenics set the standard for delivering SPMs based on activity for use in nutraceutical formulas in collaboration with world-renowned SPM experts.