Prof Puri & vegEPA for ME/CFS

Mumstheword

I considered sending this in PM to Ted as I'm sure you'll have a good answer Ted, but thought I'd put it on here as it may be of use to others!

Prof Puri's recent research has suggested a supplement called vegEPA to help ME/CFS. It costs £11.95 for 60, and the initial rec dose is 8 per day. Hmmm!

Anyway, has anyone tried these? Any thoughts?

And, can anyone comment on the pros or cons of buying the EPA and EPO seperately?...zipvit have EPO at £2.75 for 50 x 1000mg, and omega 3 for £2.95 for 90 x (?EPA but also, presumably DHA too)

Anyone know of a source of EPA which does not include DHA? The research suggests that DHA inhibits the EPA in this instance

Ted_Hutchinson

I've spent quite a bit of time recently reading omega research but haven't seen Prof Puri claim that the ratio of EPA to DHA is important rather than the total concentration of either or both these aspects of Omega3 components.
2 vegepa's contain 560 mg EPA so 8 would be 2240mg
while this is quite a high dose you will see from the thread Omega Fish Oils a recent posts suggesting 2.6g of omega-3 fatty acids and 100-300 mg of DHA daily to look after the needs of her fetus and suckling infant.
If you took Zipvit's Omega Juice you could meet this 2.240 target EPA with just over 2 tsps 14p a fraction of the VEGEPA price of £1.60 daily but this would also mean you take in 1200mg of DHA which Prof Puri says counters the benecial effect of EPA alone.

I'll have a look and see if I can find anything which supports his thesis. I'm taking the Omega Juice and am happy with the result although I've still a long way to go but I'm a whole lot better than I was this time last year.

Ted_Hutchinson

[size=+1]Eicosapentaenoic acid-rich essential fatty acid supplementation in chronic fatigue syndrome associated with symptom remission and structural brain changes.[/size][size=+1]
Professor Puri's research paper (abstract)

EDIT another paper discussing the [/size]EPA and DHA Intake Alter Fatty Acid Composition of Neutrophils and Plasma Phospholipidsbut this is bit complicated and I think I'll have to read it again before I can understand which is best EPA/DHA or both. Certainly taking both won't do harm, it's a matter of opinion that EPA will be better for some conditions and DHA for others. As you need quite a bit for 3 months or so before you can be sure, it very difficult to be certain.

Mumstheword

Thanks Ted, I'm certain it would be cheaper via zipvit one way or another, as long as the EPA is available without DHA.
As for the vile devil juice, sorry, OJ omega juice with refreshing new taste!!!, I gave up. I couldn't rid myself of the yuk factor all day! I'm really happier to pay more for allthe capsules required to equal the dose!
I don't really understand your understanding of DHA and prof Puri, but I'll hang fire as you are going to see what else you can find out.
Thanks again!

EDIT... just seen your link. WIll check it out, but could be gone a while if it's heavy going....!!

EDIT AGAIN...thanks for the link. If you come across anything mentioning why DHA is an inhibitant to EPA, or anywhere that EPA can be bought without DHA, please post me a link, thanks

JennySmith_3

Having had M.E. for almost a decade I researched quite a bit into this area - like you, I did not want to waste what limited income I had on a supplement which might not have worked for me. However, most of the research on PubMed did support Prof Puri's research which suggests that EPA is more effective taken on its own without DHA. The other thing which appealed to me is that the fish oil is purer because (so the manufacturers tell me) it has to undergo more thorough purification than oils which contain both EPA and DHA (something crucial to M.E. sufferers who can be sensitive to many things).

So, after much deliberating I went ahead with the Vegepa, taking 8 a day initially. I have to say it was worth every penny - I now am able to take part in activities I was would once have only dreamed of, having regained by strength, stamina and clear head. I'm also now working again, to the surprise of my family and friends. Given the expense I have shopped around for cheaper products but none are as pure and I just don't want to jeopardise the progress I have made so far on vegepa.

Tammera

ive been looking around the web since i saw this on the news today. i am going to try it with my daughter who is autistic. i saw this thread while looking for information and also found this site for saving money on it. http://www.thevegepaformescheme.com/about.php you have to buy 4 boxes at a time but you get a large discount, and money is also donated to ME research which since im currently waiting for a ME specialist appointment for a diagnoses as my doctor thinks i have it, i think is a great thing to donate for.

wannaberich41

What is the difference between this product and say eyeq or haliborange omega 3? any hel would be very much appreciated
regards

Ted_Hutchinson

wannaberich41 wrote: »

What is the difference between this product and say eyeq or haliborange omega 3? any hel would be very much appreciated




regards

haliborange omega 3

Average Values Per 2 capsules %RDA*

Fish oil 400mg
*
Providing Omega-3 Nutrients 260mg
*
of which DHA 200mg

of which EPA 28mg

Vitamin A 800µg 100
Vitamin D 5µg 100

Vitamin E 3mg30
Vitamin C 60mg100
Ingredients:
Capsule shell (glycerol, gelling agent: gelatin, modified starch, colours: (iron oxide, titanium dioxide), acidity regulator: citric acid, sweetener: sodium saccharin, flavour: orange). Fish oil, sweeteners (mannitol, aspartame), hydrogenated vegetable oil, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), flavour: orange, emulsifier: lecithin, vitamin E (dl alpha tocopheryl acetate), vitamin A prep., vitamin D prep.

EYEQ • EPA : 186 mg
• DHA : 58mg
• GLA : 20 mg
without including such nasties as aspartame, saccharine, hydrogenated oils

VEGEPA
280 mg ultra-pure EPA (omega-3) from marine fish oil
100 mg organic virgin evening primrose oil (containing omega-6)
1 mg vitamin E (anti-oxidant)

Puri BK Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and the pathophysiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome). more of the reasons behind the use of GLA with EPA here for ME/CFS.

I would never use a product with aspartame/mannitol/hydrogenated oil while alternatives are available.
I have no idea if Puri is right or not with his theory. The only way to know if it helps you is to try it. However it may be worth reading his book Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Natural Way to Treat M.E.

It really depends on your reasons for using Omega 3's as supplements
How can I get more omega 3 fatty acids in my daily meals?: answer
There's a lot to be said for sardines in tomato sauce (netto 18p)2g omega3 900epa+600 DHA approx
Cod liver oil is also a good source of DHA.
But it depends on your reasons Brain uses DHA but EPA is needed for the body.

Supplement 'boosts' brain powerThe same Professor Puri and Vegepa

filthyrich_2

I spent alot of money on vegepa, as I have ME. I stuck with it for a while to see if it would make a difference. To be honest it didnt, I took the better diet and gradual exercise and at one point got back to what I felt was normal. If you want treatment take a look at the "Pace trial" based around the country.

natzini

Prof Puri is going to be at a support group meeting near me in May, if you are in the South East and would like to see/speak to him, let me know via private message and I'll let you know the details.

Unfortunately I'm not able to attend as I am lucky enought to be (just!) physically able to work.

I have FMS and CFS/ME and find that pacing helps me a lot, although yesterday (well, Monday) I overdid it a bit and have been ill today and prob will be ill for at least tomorrow too, am glad it is the holidays though as I couldn't teach the way I am now! I have been taking a variety of suppliments as per my GPs recommendation: Co Q10, Cod Liver Oil, Omega 3, Magnesium mainly.

mummymania

I work in Mental Health and we recommend vegepa for our patients. They have all commented on a significant improvement in memory and general wellbeing since taking this product. Even the staff take it!!