SFI Health

Essential fatty acids (EPA, DHA & GLA)

Essential fatty acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support concentration, learning, reading and healthy brain development1-4

The role of essential fatty acids (EFAs), which include omega-3s (EPA and DHA) and omega-6 (GLA), to support healthy brain function and learning development continues to grow as an area of research. 

 

EQUAZEN is made with a scientifically developed ratio of EPA:DHA:GLA (9:3:1), which has been shown in multiple clinical trials to support concentration, learning and reading.

 

Discover more about the clinically researched combination used in EQUAZEN and the key studies that support its benefits.

Essential Fatty Acids in history

Dietary fats are part of our everyday diet. They belong to a larger group of compounds called lipids. Lipids help build our cell membranes and are vital to our central nervous system – making up about 50-60% of the weight of our brain.5

 

Of these brain lipids, approximately 35% are made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which include the omega-3 essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA and omega-6 essential fatty acid, GLA. 5  

 

These essential fatty acids (EFAs) are PUFAs that may not be made or stored by your body and it is therefore recommended to be provided through our diet.6  Over the years, fish oil has been recognised as a rich and important source of omega-3s (EPA and DHA) while evening primrose oil contains a natural source of omega-6 (GLA).

 

These EFAs are known to play important biological roles, being structural and functional components of cell membranes and research suggests they have a profound influence in the development of the central nervous system, brain and neuronal function. 6

Essential Fatty Acids in history

The optimal combination used in EQUAZEN

EQUAZEN was developed based on years of research and expertise to provide an optimal balance of fish oil rich in omega-3s (EPA & DHA) and evening primrose oil rich in omega-6 (GLA). This combination is referred to as the Equabalance ratio EPA:DHA:GLA that is 9:3:1.

This optimal balance of EPA : DHA : GLA has been researched in 12 clinical studies.1-4, 7-14  

Evidence shows EQUAZEN can help support:1-2

  • Concentration/attention 
  • Learning 
  • Reading 
  • Language development
  • Working memory 

 

The optimal combination used in EQUAZEN

Research on how essential fatty acids work

The essential fatty acids EPA, DHA and GLA have long been recognised for their role in the structure and function of cell membranes, anti-inflammatory processes in the body and growing research shows they can play an important role in supporting healthy brain function and development. 6

The pre-clinical evidence for essential fatty acids suggests they can help support:

 

  • Cell membrane structure, function and communication (including neuron cells)15-16
  • Nervous system function and development 15-16
  • Anti-inflammatory effects 15-16
  • Processes the can  play a role in healthy neuronal function  17-18

Learn more about Essential Fatty Acids.

Research on how essential fatty acids work

Clinical studies on EQUAZEN

EQUAZEN has been researched in multiple clinical studies involving both mainly children and also adults.  The evidence demonstrates the beneficial effects of the Equabalance ratio of EPA:DHA:GLA = 9:3:1  used in the EQUAZEN range, with significant improvement in concentration and learning development.

Johnson et al., 2017 1

154 children
studied over 3 months

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for performed tasks reflecting:

  • Concentration and attention
  • Learning and language development including reading and visual analysis
  • Working memory
Parletta et al. 2013 2

409 children
studied over 40 weeks

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for performed tasks reflecting:

  • cognitive and learning development
  • concentration and attention
  • working memory
Sinn et al. 2008 11

167 children
studied over 30 weeks

Significant improvement

vs. placebo for performed tasks reflecting:

  • concentration and attention
  • learning and language development
Johnson et al. 2009 9

75 children & adolescents
studied over 6 months

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT

  • concentration and attention
Richardson et al. 2005 13

117 children
studied over 6 months

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT

vs. placebo for measures reflecting:

  • concentration and attention
  • learning such as reading and spelling

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.

SFI Health Difference

EQUAZEN with Equabalance ratio 9:3:1

 

There are now hundreds of formulations containing omega-3s or omega-6 as the main ingredients. So what makes EQUAZEN with the specific ratio EPA:DHA:GLA = 9:3:1 different?

 

  • High quality with the optimal balance of EPA, DHA and GLA  
  • Consistently reliable, batch after batch
  • Researched in clinical trials

That means, you can be confident that the EQUAZEN product you are getting contains the same balance of ingredients that has been demonstrated in clinical research to support concentration, learning and reading. That’s the SFI Health difference.

Equazen: EPA:DHA:GLA = 9:3:1: A Summary

Contains the clinically researched ratio of fatty acids (EPA:DHA:GLA=9:3:1)

Formulated to provide an optimal balance omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids

Supports concentration, learning & reading

Shown in clinical trials to support concentration and learning and language development

Consistent quality

Through our rigorous processes, quality controls and extensive testing we help ensure that our clinically researched ratio 9:3:1 can provide the health outcomes demonstrated by clinical research

Recommended and used worldwide

To support healthy brain development

Available Resources

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Lifestyle insight

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Our source to patient philosophy

We make sure our natural medicines are consistent.

 

Not only do the clinical studies on our products demonstrate real health outcomes, they demonstrate the results you can expect from the same products you see on shelf. It’s all part of our Source to Patient philosophy.

See the steps taken to make our products
References

 

  1. Johnson M et al., J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017 Jan;58(1):83-93. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12614.
  2. Parletta N et al., Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2013 Aug;89(2-3)
  3. Bauer I et al., Hum Psychopharmacol. 2014 Mar;29(2):133-44.  Funded by Novasel Australia.
  4. Bauer I et al., PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e28214.  
  5. Assisi A. et al. Fish oil and mental health: the role of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cognitive development and neurological disorders. International clinical pharmacology 2006,21:319-336
  6. EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1796. DOI:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1796
  7. Sinn N and Bryan J. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2007;28(2):82-91.
  8. Barragan-Perez, E.J., Heredia-Barragan, I., and Huerta-Albarran, R. 2011. 17(4): 148-153.
  9. Johnson M et al., J Atten Disord. 2009 Mar;12(5):394-401.
  10. Johnson M et al., J Atten Disord. 2014 Jan 24.
  11. Sinn N et al., Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2008;78(4-5):311-26.
  12. Barragán-Pérez E.J. et al., Journal of attention disorders. Jan 24,2014.  The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Manfred Döpfner has received consulting income and research support from Lilly, Medice, Shire, Janssen Cilag, Novartis, and Vifor, and research support from the German Research Foundation, German Ministry of Education and Research, and German Ministry of Health.  Eduardo Barragán has received consulting income and research support from Lilly, UCB, Cilag, Novartis and Vifor, and research support from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)..
  13. Richardson AJ et al., Pediatrics. 2005 May;115(5):1360-6.  The study was 
    cofunded by the Dyslexia Research Trust and the Durham Local Education Authority
  14. Milte et al. Nutrition. 2012 Jun;28(6):670-7. Research conducted by Mite et al. with funding from Australlian Research Council with financial interest from Novasel Australia.
  15. Wiktorowska-Owczarek A, BereziƄska M, Nowak JZ. PUFAs: Structures, Metabolism and Functions. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2015 Nov-Dec;24(6):931-41. doi: 10.17219/acem/31243.
  16. Sergeant S, Rahbar E, Chilton FH. Gamma-linolenic acid, Dihommo-gamma linolenic, Eicosanoids and Inflammatory Processes. Eur J Pharmacol. 2016 Aug 15;785:77-86. doi: 1016/j.ejphar.2016.04.020.
  17. Bell JG, MacKinlay EE, Dick JR, MacDonald DJ, Boyle RM, Glen AC. Essential fatty acids and phospholipase A2. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2004 Oct;71(4):201-4.
  18. Bennett CN, Horrobin DF. Gene targets related to phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2000 Jul-Aug;63(1-2):47-59.

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