Drs. Oz & Roizen, the “YOU Docs”, have told Americans to “Start taking another odd omega, Omega 7“. Not just once — but numerous times (1) in their nationally syndicated “YOU Docs” columns, (2) in their newly updated book: “YOU: The Owner’s Manual“, and most recently on (3) on the Dr. Oz Show.
While more people are becoming aware that Omega 7 fatty acids are good for the heart — many are still not aware of all the benefits that Omega 7 offers, and more importantly — the type of Omega 7 you should look for. So we created this list:
Seven Reasons To Take An Omega 7 Every Day:
#1: Omega 7 Helps Support Healthy LDL Cholesterol Levels *
One of the top causes of cardio-vascular disease is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also known as “bad cholesterol”. Like many of the substances we absorb through our diet, LDL is beneficial in small amounts but dangerous in large amounts. As you grow older, the endothelial cells lining the inner surface of your blood vessels rupture easily, and LDL is essential for repairing these cells. However, large quantities of LDL in your daily diet will block the blood cells with waxy deposits, knows as plaque. This can lead to conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, carotid artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease. [1] Omega 7 helps balance your LDL cholesterol levels so your endothelial cells stay in good repair without being blocked by plaque.
#2: Omega 7 Helps Support Healthy HDL Cholesterol Levels *
You can lower your risk of coronary heart disease by increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – or “good cholesterol” – in your body. HDL cleanses your arteries of LDL by breaking it down and transporting it to the liver, which can then flush the excess LDL out of your system. [2] Omega 7 assists by boosting the HDL cholesterol levels so you can the eliminate “bad cholesterol” more efficiently.
#3: Omega 7 Helps Support Normal Triglyceride Levels *
A balanced level of triglycerides is beneficial to your body, as they provide energy and insulation from cold temperatures, and they also assist in storing fat-soluble vitamins. But if your triglyceride levels becomes too high, your body becomes vulnerable to heart conditions and you are at greater risk of hepatic fat accumulation (fatty liver) which can trigger diabetes.[3] Omega 7 helps maintain the equilibrium of your triglyceride levels so you achieve all the benefits without the unhealthy drawbacks.
#4: Omega 7 Helps Support Healthy Glucose Metabolism *
When you are healthy, your body is naturally sensitive to insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood’s glucose levels. Once you develop a resistance to insulin, your body is vulnerable to glucose-borne toxins, and you are at risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2, which in turn can trigger cardiovascular diseases and renal failure. Omega 7 helps you retain a healthy level of insulin sensitivity so you can metabolize glucose more efficiently. [4,5]
#5: Omega 7 Helps Maintain Normal C-Reactive Protein Levels *
C-reactive protein is a marker for inflammation. As the immune system’s response to harmful stimuli, inflammation is generally helpful to your body’s healing process. However, abnormalities in the process can arise, leading to chronic inflammation and disease. It is now known that chronic inflammation is the foundation for Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and more. Maintaining healthy c-reactive protein levels are a cornerstone of long-term health. [6,7]
#6: Omega 7 Helps Provide Better Appetite Control *
Research indicates that omega 7 keeps hunger pangs at bay. It has been shown to help leptin, the hormone that controls satiety, do its job better, making you feel full. It also helps improve bowel movement and can help halt unwanted increase in body weight. [8]
#7: Omega 7 Turns Calories into Energy (Not Fat) *
Omega 7 has been shown to moderate de novo lipogenesis and increase fatty acid oxidation, directing fatty acids toward energy expenditure and away from storage. In other words, Omega 7 revs up your metabolism to help you burn your calories faster than you can store them as unwanted fat. (9)
The Rest Of The Story…
In nature, Omega 7 – also known as “palmitoleic acid” – is always found with “palmitic acid”, which admittedly, is prevalent in the food supply, as well as in our own bodies. Palmitoleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that’s universally acclaimed as “good”, and palmitic acid is a saturated fat that many authorities assert is “not so good”. Some may claim, and there is no denying, that palmitic acid is in many of the foods we love: meat, cheeses, ice cream, chocolate — it’s even in mother’s milk.
Unfortunately, science has shown that too much palmitic acid causes the destruction of the pancreatic beta cells responsible for the production of insulin. It’s also been shown to switch off the signalling mechanism in the body that tells us when we’re full, making us prone to over-eating and gaining unwanted weight. According the the World Health Organization (WHO), there is convincing evidence that palmitic acids are in the same category of increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases as trans fatty acids (hydrogenated oils), which were recently banned.
So if you’d like to get the maximum benefits that Omega 7 offers, you should look for a supplement that has undergone a thorough purification process to eliminate all traces of palmitic acid. These Omega 7 supplements are labeled: “Purified Omega 7″ or ” Palmitic Acid-Free”.
References:
(1) Griel, Amy E, Cao Yumei, Deborah D Bagshaw, Amy M Cifelli, Bruce Holub, and Penny M Kris-Etherton. “A Macadamia nut-rich diet reduces total and LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterlemic men and women”, The American Journal of Nutrition. American Society for Nutrition, 2008. [http://jn.nutrition.org/content/138/4/761]
(2) Matthan, Nirupa R, A Dillard, JL Lecker, B Ip, and AH Lichtenstein. “Effects of dietary palmitoleic acid plasma lipoprotein profile and aortic cholesterol accumulation are similar to those of other unsaturated fatty acids”, The American Journal of Nutrition. The American Institute of Nutrition, 2009. [http://jn.nutrition.org/content/139/2/215.full]
(3) Zhi-Hong Yang, Hiroko Miyahara, and Akimasa Hatanaka. “Chronic administration of palmitoleic acid reduces insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation in KK-Ay mice with genetic type 2 diabetes”, Lipids in Health and Disease. Nippon Suisan Kaisha, 2011. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155149/]
(4) Dimopoulos, Nicolaos, Maria Watson, and Harinder S Hundal. (2008). “Differential effects of palmitate and palmitoleate on insulin action and glucose utilization in rat L6 skeletal muscle cells”. US National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615906/]
(5) Mozaffarian, Dariush, Haiming Cao, and Gokhan S Hotamingsil. “Circulating palmitoleic acid and risk of metabolic abnormalities and new-onset diabetes,” The American Journal of Nutrition. American Society for Nutrition, 2010. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2980960/]
(6) Zhi-Hong Yang, , Hiroko Miyahara and Akimasa Hatanaka. “Chronic administration of palmitoleic acid reduces insulin resistance and hepatic lipid accumulation in KK-Ay Mice with genetic type 2 diabetes.” [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21774832]
(7) Martinez, L. “Purified Omega-7 in the reduction of hs-CRP: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.” Proprietary Research Report, 2013
(8) Yang, ZH, J Takeo, M Katayama. (2013). “Oral administration of omega-7 palmitoleic acid induces satiety and the release of appetite-related hormones in male rats”. US National Library of Medicine – National Institute of Health. Elsevier Ltd. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23376733]
(9)Burns TA, Duckett SK, Pratt SL, Jenkins TC. Supplemental palmitoleic (C16:1 cis-9) acid reduces lipogenesis and desaturation in bovine adipocyte cultures. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22851248]