Gut-Specific Fish Oil Ingredients

Gut-Specific Fish Oil specially contains these omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), docosahexanoic acid (DHA), and docosapentanoic acid (DPA) – each with unique health benefits.

Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA)

EPA is a powerful omega-3 for supporting gut health and well-documented for its ability to support intestinal mucosa. EPA can also prevent blood from clotting easily and reduce pain and swelling.

Docosahexanoic acid (DHA)

DHA is most known for its beneficial impact on brain health. An adequate amount of DHA is necessary to ensure optimal neurological development because it is a main structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, sperm, testicles and retina. Another one of DHA’s most important roles is the modulation of phospholipid membranes, known as phosphatidylserine (PS). This substance supports healthy signal conduction and neurons in the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.

Docosapentanoic acid (DPA)

DPA, also known as the “forgotten fatty acid”, is receiving more attention in the omega-3 family due to its unique ability to support EPA and DHA tissue status, but it also supports a healthy gut. Supplementation with DPA can also support healthy cells and tissues.

Form & Function

Gut-Specific Fish Oil contains the above mentioned polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the form of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Meaning, the human body cannot make these components and therefore they must be supplemented. Omega-3 fatty acids consist of long chains of carbon atoms with a carboxyl group at one end and a methyl group at the other. These chains contain two or more double bonds which distinguish them from saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids also play an important role in the composition of phospholipids that form the structure of cell membranes. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to rough, scaly skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as flaxseed and fish and also in supplements such as Gut-Specific Fish Oil. 

Applied Research & Clinical Studies

Undoubtedly, fish oils are beneficial to human health and have been studied extensively for their positive impact on cardiovascular and brain health. However, many fish oil supplements miss the mark when it comes to formulation and are severely underutilized for digestive and intestinal health. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve gut function and microbiome composition in three main ways:

1. modulating the type and abundance of gut microbes (2,3,4)
2. altering the levels of proinflammatory mediators, such as endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides) and IL17 (3,4)
3. regulating the levels of short-chain fatty acids (3,4,5)

A study published in the Journal of Scientific Reports found that omega-3 supplementation increases microbial diversity, specifically Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Lactobacillus, and supports the production of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) which balances gut microbiota.  Other studies completed in adults also showed changes in gut microbiome after omega-3 PUFA supplementation. Specifically, a decrease in Faecalibacterium, which was often associated with an increase in the Bacteroidetes and butyrate-producing bacteria belonging to the Lachnospiraceae family. When these bacteria are out of balance dysbiosis will occur (3).

Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to reduce dysbiosis and bowel inflammation in conditions where there is an imbalance of pathogenic and commensal bacteria. (2). Consuming via diet or supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs has been reported to protect intestinal cells from inflammatory damage that leads to inflammatory bowel disease and to activate immune cells by reducing the production of proinflammatory eicosanoids (4).

In a 6-week dietary intervention study omega-3 supplementation resulted in a significant increase in iso-butyrate, isovalerate and butyrate. Demonstrating that omega-3 fatty acids alter the gut microbiome composition and some of its cardiovascular effects appear to be potentially mediated by its effect on gut microbial fermentation products indicating that it may be a prebiotic benefit (5).