Q: Hello. I recently read an article in First for Women about Toxic Fat Syndrome. I purchased a bottle of Sangster's Salmon Oil. It indicates the total omega-3 as 297 mg, so I'm taking 16 pills per day. The problem is that in the three days since I started taking them, I've gained five pounds! I have been dieting for the past eight weeks and steadily losing, so this is not normal. While I'm not following the Zone Diet, I have been cutting back on bad fats, sugars, etc. I'm wondering what the problem could be? Thank you!
A:The problem is that the fish oil you are taking is very low in EPA and DHA and rich in useless fats that the human body often has a hard time metabolizing, hence the weight gain. If you start using a more purified EPA and DHA concentrate, such as OmegaRx, at about 5 grams of EPA and DHA per day, there will be four primary benefits. First, is the reduction of inflammation in the adipose tissue that causes weight gain. The second is the reduction of endocannabinoids in the brain that generate constant hunger signals. Third is the increase in the hormone adiponectin that reduces insulin resistance. Finally, the fish oil will activate the transcription factor PPAR alpha that increases the production of enzymes to burn fat faster. But the most important aspect to weight loss is relaxation of your fat trap, and that will be most effectively done by following the Zone Diet. For information on how to get started, go to zonediet.com.