What does Omega 3 (DHA) really do?

[Itoero]

An Na-channel is a membrane protein that conducts Na-ions  through a cell's plasma membrane.  Depending on the trigger that opens the Na-channel, it's called voltage gated (when the channel opens because of a voltage-change) or ligand gated (when the binding of a ligand opens the channel). The Na-channel mediates fast depolarization and conduct electrical impulses throughout nerve, muscle and heart, thereby enabling co-ordination of higher processes ranging from locomotion to cognition.

Docosahexaenoic acid (Omega-3)(DHA) suppresses  the activity of Na-channels. That's the main reason why Omega 3 lowers the heart rate and causes many of the beneficial effects.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3483717/  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1357272506002159?via%3Dihub Clinical and experimental data indicate that changes in the expression of voltage-gated sodium channels play a key role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and that drugs that block these channels are potentially therapeutic. Clinical and experimental data also suggest that changes in voltage-gated sodium channels may play a role in inflammatory pain, and here too sodium-channel blockers may have therapeutic potential. http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(06)00508-6/fulltext

In another paper they compared the working of ibuprofen with omega-3 EFAs on arthritic pain. They found an equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain. So it seems that Omega 3 might be a good/safe alternative for NSAIDs.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16531187

If you have some interesting information concerning this subject you can back up....

 

 

 

Edited August 12, 2017 by Itoero

[IanH]

I have been keen on DHA for cvd however a recent meta analysis found otherwise: \

Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement Use With Cardiovascular Disease Risks - Meta-analysis of 10 Trials Involving 77 917 Individuals

JAMA Cardiol. Published online January 31, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2017.5205

The studies used dosages from 226mg/d to 1800mg/d.

The dosage is contentious. I recommend 3 grams twice daily for neuropathic pain (incl fibromyalgia) and get quite good results but I also recommend it combined with vitamin D 5000iu/d

Whats your thoughts on dosage?