Healthier nutrition: Empowered by the sea.

Catch the wave in cardiovascular health with Medifast’s new Super Omega-3, the nutritional supplement that adds a powerful boost to your weight-loss program.

The American Heart Association recommends consuming at least 1 gram (1,000 mg) each day of the combined essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, and at least 2 grams (2,000 mg) each day of omega-3 fatty acids for those with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. That’s why Medifast now recommends Super Omega-3 as part of your 5 & 1 Plan and Maintenance Plan.

• What are omega-3 fatty acids?
• Why use Medifast’s Super Omega-3 supplement?
• What are the weight-loss benefits?
• What are the heart-health benefits?
• What other health benefits do omega-3 fatty acids provide?
• Who should use Medifast’s Super Omega-3?
• What is the recommended usage?

What are omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be supplied by your diet.

There are three major types of omega-3 fatty acids used by the body: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – all of which are provided by Medifast’s Super Omega-3.

• EPA – plays an important role in heart health and the body’s anti-inflammatory response. Super Omega-3 provides 720 mg of EPA per 2-softgel serving.
• DHA – is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and retina, and an important structural component for the brain, eyes, and heart. Super Omega-3 provides 480 mg of DHA per 2-softgel serving.
• Flaxseed oil – is a source of the fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), which are required for the structure of cell membranes and, because they are unsaturated, help keep membranes flexible. Super Omega-3 provides 100 mg of organic flaxseed oil per 2-softgel serving.

Why use Medifast’s Super Omega-3 supplement?

Medifast’s Super Omega-3 is enteric-coated, highly concentrated, molecularly distilled, and third-party tested. The enteric coating minimizes fishy aftertaste and provides greater absorption. The molecular distillation eliminates contaminants, and third-party testing ensures content integrity.

What are the weight-loss benefits?

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have benefits specific to weight loss. Recent studies have shown improved body composition with the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids:

• Together with moderate exercise, omega-3 supplementation can reduce your amount of body fat.¹
• Omega-3 supplementation can reduce body fat mass in individuals with diabetes.²

What are the heart-health benefits?

The cardiovascular benefits of fish oil are well-documented. Research has shown that they:

• Decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
• Decrease triglyceride levels
• Decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
• Lower blood pressure (slightly).

What other health benefits do omega-3 fatty acids provide?

Although the most reported benefits of omega-3 fatty acids affect heart health, these nutrients have also been shown to benefit a wide range of other health issues. Increased omega-3 fatty acid intake can improve auto-immune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, depression, dementia/cognitive function, and osteoporosis, and lower the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate.

Who should use Medifast’s Super Omega-3?

Medifast’s Super Omega-3 is appropriate during all phases of the Medifast Program (Weight Loss*, Transition*, and Maintenance*). Because it is a high-quality, contaminant-free omega-3 fatty acid supplement, Medifast’s Super Omega-3 fits the bill.

Super Omega-3 provides the omega-3 fatty acids missing from diets low in fish, and eliminates concern about mercury and other contaminants.

Those with existing cardiovascular disease may not be able to get enough omega-3 fatty acids from diet alone.** People with high triglycerides can benefit from even higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids, and can use supplements to achieve the desired dosage. These individuals may want to talk to their doctors about taking a supplement.**

* Although Medifast’s Super Omega-3 does contain fat, it does not count toward the healthy fat servings recommended/allowed on the Medifast Programs.

** Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

What is the recommended usage?

The recommended serving for people with normal triglyceride levels is 2 softgels per day. This provides 1.2 grams (1,200 mg) of EPA and DHA, and 100 mg of organic flaxseed oil, an amount of EPA and DHA shown to provide significant health benefits.* This is also 0.2 grams more than the American Heart Association’s recommendation of a minimum of 1 gram per day for those with existing cardiovascular disease.

* Evidence from prospective secondary prevention studies suggests that consuming EPA and DHA in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 1.8 grams per day (either as fatty fish or supplements) significantly reduces deaths from heart disease and all causes. Source: www.americanheart.org.

1. A.M. Hill, J.D. Buckley, K.J. Murphy, P.R.C. Howe. “Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors”. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:1267-1274.

2. Morvarid Kabir, G. Skurnik, N. Naour, V. Pechtner, E. Meugnier, S. Rome, A. Quignard-Boulange, H. Vidal, G. Slama, K. Clement, M. Guerre-Millo and S.W. Rizkalla. "Treatment for 2 mos with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces adiposity and some atherogenic factors but does not improve insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled study". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;86: 1670-1679.