Alzheimer's Disease
It appears Omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of fish oils, are able to help patients who have mild Alzheimier's disease. Since current drugs used for Alzheimer's disease are not very helpful, and potentially dangerous, perhaps doctors should initially try omega-3 fatty acids in mild cases of AD rather than cholinesterase inhibitors.

Omega-3 fatty acid treatment in 174 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: OmegAD study: a randomized double-blind trial.
Arch Neurol. 2006. Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Section of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm.
Epidemiologic and animal studies have suggested that dietary fish or fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, for example, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, may prevent Alzheimer disease (AD). Two hundred four patients with AD whose conditions were stable while receiving acetylcholine esterase inhibitor treatment and who had a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 15 points or more were randomized to daily intake of 1.7 g of docosahexaenoic acid and 0.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (omega-3 fatty acid-treated group) or placebo for 6 months, after which all received omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 6 months more. Administration of omega-3 fatty acid in patients with mild to moderate AD did not delay the rate of cognitive decline according to the MMSE or the cognitive portion of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale. However, positive effects were observed in a small group of patients with very mild AD.

Asthma
Ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and childhood asthma.
Asthma. 2004.
We found evidence for a modulatory effect of the dietary n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio on the presence of asthma in children. Our results provide evidence that promotion of a diet with increased n-3 fatty acids and reduced n-6 fatty acids to protect children against symptoms of asthma is warranted.

Cholesterol management
Omega-3 as well as caloric restriction prevent the age-related modifications of cholesterol metabolism.
Mech Ageing Dev. 2008.
Intracellular concentration of cholesterol is regulated by the balance between endogenous synthesis and exogenous uptake; endogenous synthesis is subject to feedback control of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase activity, while the exogenous supply is mainly controlled by the modulation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor. During ageing, hepatic lipid modifications occur and caloric restriction are able to prevent these changes. So, the aim of this work was to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the effect exerted both by caloric restrictions and by a diet enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids, on the cholesterol plasma levels during ageing, by studying the regulation of the protein involved in cholesterol homeostasis maintenance. Livers from diet restricted and Omega-3 supplemented diet fed 24-month-old rat were used to analyze, the protein complex of cholesterol homeostasis maintenance and those ones that are able to modulate 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase. The data obtained demonstrate that both caloric restriction and Omega-3 supplemented diets are able to prevent hihg cholesterol, by regulating HMG-CoAR activation state by controlling ROS production and p38 phosphorylation. Moreover also the age-dependent loss of LDLr membrane exposition is prevented.

Omega 3 for depression and mood elevation
There have been a few studies that indicate countries that have a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oils, have a lower number of cases of depression.
   According to a University of Pittsburgh study, omega-3 fatty acids, which are plentiful in fatty fish like salmon, seem to affect areas of the brain associated with emotion. Dr. Sarah M. Conklin observed that people with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more apt to have a negative outlook and to be more impulsive, while those with higher levels typically were more agreeable and less likely to exhibit a sour mood. In their latest study, Dr. Sarah Conklin and colleagues set out to see whether the volume of gray matter in the brain, especially in areas related to mood, was proportionally related to the amount of omega-3 fatty acid consumed. They asked 55 healthy adults about their average intake of omega-3 fatty acids and used MRI bran scans to determine gray matter volume. As the researchers theorized, the higher the intake of omega-3 the larger were the volumes of gray matter in areas of the brain associated with mood and regulation of emotion. While these findings hint that omega-3s may contribute to structural improvement in areas of the brain related to emotion -- the same areas where gray matter is reduced in people with mood disorders such as depression -- further studies are needed to determine whether eating fish actually causes changes in the brain, the researchers note.

Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish, may give a boost to behavior, mood and personality. University of Pittsburgh researchers found that volunteers with lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more likely than others to be impulsive, to have a more negative outlook, and to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression. Study participants with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were found to be more agreeable, however. A number of previous studies have linked lower levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention-deficit disorder.

Do omega3 fatty acids help depression?
   I think omega3 fatty acids do help improve mood slightly, they are a good fat, but they are only part of the overall solution.

Omega-3 fatty acids and depression during pregnancy
For pregnant women diagnosed with major depressive disorder, treatment with omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduces symptoms of depression. Depression is associated with the abnormality of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The requirements of the growing baby lead to a decrease of omega-3 PUFAs in the mother during pregnancy, and this might precipitate the occurrence of depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, April 2008.

Diabetic patients could benefit with improved blood flow
In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 6 weeks of supplementation with n–3 fatty acids reduced the postprandial decrease in macrovascular function relative to placebo. Moreover, n–3 FA supplementation improved postprandial microvascular function. These observations suggest a protective vascular effect of n–3 FAs. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010.

Omega 3 benefit for heart health
In elderly people, omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil increase a measure of heart-healthiness called heart rate variability.  Taking a daily omega 3 fish oil supplement may therefore reduce the risk of developing irregular heart rhythm or succumbing to sudden cardiac death. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are recommended to those with high cholesterol levels.

Lung function and COPD
Healthy fats found in fish and vegetable oils may help ease the inflammation that marks chronic lung disease. In a small study of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Japanese researchers at Kagoshima University Hospital found that supplements of omega-3 fatty acids appeared to improve patients' breathing difficulties -- possibly by countering the airway inflammation seen in the disease. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs, are found largely in oily fish, and to a lesser extent in flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans and canola oil. Research has suggested that these fats -- particularly fish oils -- may help lower the risk of heart disease and other ills, possibly due to their anti-inflammatory effects. COPD is a group of serious lung diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Half of the 64 patients drank a liquid supplement rich in omega-3 fats each day; the other half drank a supplement containing omega-6 fats, another type of polyunsaturated fat found in many foods, including vegetable oils and meat. After two years, patients in the omega-3 supplement group showed an overall improvement on tests that measured their breathing during a short bout of exercise. At the same time, levels of certain inflammatory proteins in their blood and mucus generally declined -- suggesting that the improvements in lung capacity arose from the anti-inflammatory effects of the fatty acids: Chest, 2005.

Polyposis relief
One potential benefit is reduction in familial adenomatous polyposis signs.

Deficiency as cause of illness and disease
Omega-3 deficiency is the sixth biggest killer of Americans and more deadly than excess trans fat intake, according to a 2010 Harvard University study. Investigators looked at 12 dietary, lifestyle and metabolic risk factors such as tobacco smoking and high blood pressure and used a mathematical model to determine how many fatalities could have been prevented if better practices had been observed. The study, jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Association of Schools of Public Health, drew on 2005 data from the US National Health Center for Health Statistics. They determined that there were 72,000-96,000 preventable deaths each year due to omega-3 deficiency, compared to 63,000-97,000 for high trans fat intake.

Omega 3 in Food, content in diet
Omega 3 fatty acids, such as alpha linolenic acid are found in polyunsaturated oils. The best oils for omega 3 fatty acids include flax seed oil and fish oils (also found in krill oil supplements). Walnuts have a small amount of omega 3 fatty acids. Another good source of omega 3 fatty acids is hemp oil.
   Basically, foods that have omega-3 fatty acids are cold water fish such as salmon, herring, halibut, and sardines, omega-3 fortified eggs, walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, seaweeds and sea vegetables.

Omega 3 supplements, take with or without food?
Does your body utilize / absorb more omega 3 with or without food? Please take into account that I am comfortable taking supplements with and without food.
Also do you know if it's true, that if you take them on an empty stomach, that they could be accidentally metabolised as fuel instead for their most useful properties?
   These are excellent questions that I have also tried to understand. I have tried 5 to 10 fish oil supplements on an empty stomach in the morning and have noticed effects from them later in the day, such as improved vision, which makes me think they are absorbed without food and not utilized as an energy source. But I have not seen any studies focusing on these questions so I do not know for sure. For practical purposes, I would think taking these omega-3 supplements sometimes with food and other times without food would be a practical approach.

Omega 3 versus 6 and inflammation
For the past several decades, changes in the Western diet, such as more fried foods, junk foods, and less fish, have changed the consumption of omega-6 fatty acids -- found in meat and vegetable oils -- compared with omega-3 fatty acids -- found in flax and fish oil. The increased omega 6 to 3 ratio has led to a higher rate of inflammation. Western diets often have ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in excess of 10 to 1. Floyd Chilton of Wake Forest University School of Medicine developed a dietary intervention program in which 27 healthy humans were fed a controlled diet with a 2:1 omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids over a period of five weeks.
Floyd Chilton found that many key signaling genes that promote inflammation were reduced in those with the low omega 6 to 3 ratio diet compared to a normal Western diet containing more red meat and vegetable oils. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2009.

Telomere length
Investigators evaluated the connection between levels of omega-3 oils obtained from fish in the blood of patients with coronary heart disease and the length of their telomeres. The study involved 608 ambulatory outpatients with stable coronary heart disease. Participants whose omega-3 levels were in the lowest quarter showed telomere shortening of 0.13 telomere units, whereas participants who were in the highest quarter of omega-3 levels showed telomere shortening of 0.05 telomere units. The investigators say, “baseline levels of marine omega-3 fatty acids were associated with decelerated telomere attrition over five years. The association was linear and persisted after adjustment for potential confounders, this raises the possibility that omega-3 fatty acids may protect against cellular ageing in patients with coronary heart disease.” Farzaneh-Far R, Lin J, Epel ES, et al. Association of marine omega-3 fatty acid levels with telomeric aging in patients with coronary heart disease. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2010.

Q. Do omega-3 fatty acids have the same attributes for kids (6 to 12 years old) as they are thought to have for adults? If so is dosage information available for youths?
   A. Long chained omega-3 fatty acids would also be beneficial in children if their diet does not include enough cold water fish. The dosage would be about a third or half of an adult's dosage.

What do you think of an Omega 3 - 6 - 9 product? What about krill oil pills?
    Most Americans consume too much omega 6, I don't see the need to add omega 6 as a supplement. See krill oil supplement for research studies.

What percentage of of Omega-3 gets absorbed to be delivered to the brain? I mean through supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids. Do these fatty acids easily cross the blood-brain barrier like prescription medications do?
    I don't know exactly what percentage gets absorbed, I would suspect a wide degree of individual differences, but, as a general rule, their absorption into brain tissue is quite good.

I have heard that Omega-3 fish oil is good for raising serotonin levels. I have been taking 3 grams per day for about 2 weeks now. What product(s) are best for raising serotonin levels, and are they compatible with Omega-3s?
    5HTP and tryptophan are the most consistent products over the counter for raising serotonin levels.