Biological Basis

There are hundreds of articles in the medical literature documenting the positive biological and immunological effects of Omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids contain eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid that competes with arachidonic acid as a substrate for oxygenation by both the cyclo-oxygenase and 5 lipoxidase pathways. 

These two pathways lead to the production of inflammatory mediators, prostaglandins PG and leukotrienes, respectively. Dietary supplementation with Omega fatty acids is associated with a significant decrease in the production of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other cytokines, including IL- I. Now, there is a new topical analgesic product, MED 0-3, that utilizes this biology. 

Clinical research at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Richard Sperling and Dr. Joel Kremer, Albany Medical School have demonstrated that oral intake of marine lipids is associated with anti-inflammatory effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 
 

Previous clinical studies have documented the beneficial effect of Omega 3 fatty acids on inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn's disease. The researchers have demonstrated a reduction in the rate of relapse with oral ingestion of Omega 3 fatty acids (Belluzzi A: Effect of an enteric-coated fish oil preparation on relapses in Crohn's disease. NEIM'334:1557-1560, 1996). The NIH and John Hopkins have also demonstrated an effect of Omegas on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (New England Journal of medicine). Since the Omegas act as vasodilators, it is not surprising that the oral intake of Omegas have demonstrated a beneficial effect on the vasculature, hence the lowering of blood pressure (Knapp HR, FitzGerald GA: Antihypertensive effects of fish oil, a controlled study of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in essential hypertension. NEJA1320: 1037-1043, 1989). 

Topical administration of Omegas is a significant break through over existing compounds because the product is lipophilic, not hydrophilic. The lipophilic characteristics cause enhanced transcutaneous absorption. The product, MED 0-3, contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids with methylsalicylate, and the synergism of these compounds has shown enhanced efficacy. They have also demonstrated that the product is a useful adjunct for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. 

Omega 3s, one of MED 0-3 Bio Cream's main ingredients, have been shown in clinical trials to suppress production of some prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are the agents of inflammation. At the sites of tissue injury, immune cells create inflammation in an effort to heal the injury. When immune cells produce inflammation and inflammatory messenger molecules, eicosanoids, the principle fatty acid in the cell envelope, arachidonic acid catalyzes this transformation and can be metabolized into activated eicosanoids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. If the cell is exposed to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, some of the cell envelope's arachidonic acid is displaced. If tissue injury occurs, signaling to the cell interior via alternative fatty acids does not lead to transformation of the cell to an "armed" cell. Furthermore, the prostaglandins and leukotrienes derived from these alternative fatty acids are not inflammatory. The inflammatory process is dampened, with less pain, swelling, and other signs of inflammation, but without impairment of normal tissue repair.

To obtain further information regarding MED 0-3 analgesic cream please contact us.