LB,
I posted that paper without changing the number to Dr Davis's new recommendation, which is 3gms a day of EPA/DHA. Like Vitamin D, the really is no known "upper limit" on this supplement.
There actually is an upper limit. Dr. Sears have done a lot of research in the area. The upper limit is a state where circulating AA (arachidonic acid) in ratio to EPA does not drop below 1.5.
AA/EPA is the measure of imflamation. Too high AA/EPA means too much inflamation that leads to all kind of chronic problems, including heart desease, Type 2 diabetes etc. Too low, and the body is unable to muster an inflamatory response where imflamatory respons is in place - such as fighting bacteria, viruses etc. So if one overshoots it with too high dose of EPA, imflamatory response could be compromised.
Now, there are (obviously) 2 components to the ratio: EPA, that the body has an extremely limited capacity of producing and AA, that the body can produce by bucketful - under the worst circumstances - or normal amount under ideal circumstances.
So, according to Dr. Sears, the normal, healthy person with no symptoms and risk factors should take 2.5g of EPA/DHA, a person at risk between 5 and 10g (based on condition).
So, Dr. Sears plan of action is 2-fold.
1. counteract (with the right dose of EPA/DHA) the amount of AA the body is producing (and has accumulated in fat tissue)
2. through his diet and various other measures, bring down the AA production to normal
Joe |
