What does fish oil do you may ask. To begin with fish oil is literally oil that is extracted from the flesh of fish. It is an important and a popular product because it contains omega-3 fatty acids which our bodies need. We have to get omega-3 fatty acids from outside sources because our bodies can not generate them nor can they be induced to do so. The main bit certainly not only source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish. Fish oil is favored because it has a good enough concentrated levels of these fatty acids.
Moreover, fish oil supplements are also favored because not many people eat fish in order to get omega-3 fatty acids. Also due to contamination and pollution of many water bodies across The world for health reasons many people are opting for fish oil supplements instead of fish harvested from poor and possibly dangerous water sources. Fish oil does a lot of things in our bodies I would say both positive and negative.
Contrary to what most people stop and consider before taking about the benefits of fish oil I just would like to point out that it matters the ratio of EPA and DHA in your fish oil supplement. To explain, fish oil is made up of two omega-3 fatty acids namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is an absolute requirement for best results that the manufacturer of your fish supplement ensures that these acids are in proper ratios. I personally find the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Fish Oil among the best and to recommended.
What Does Fish Oil Do To Heart Health?
In today’s busy and admittedly stressful routine maintaining a healthy heart is among those serious health challenges. Thanks to fish oil there is some benefit to be derived for your heart by getting the appropriate supply of omega-3 in your system. A study done by the school of medicine at University of Missouri-Kansas revealed that adding fish to your dinner table at least every week would tremendously cut back on your risk of dying from heart attack. This benefit is for both people suffering from heart disease and those without heart disease. The sad news however is that in a society that is obsessed with fast foods, this opportunity to eat and benefit from fish is being missed every week.
Studies are rather vague on the direct benefits of fish oil supplements in relation to heart attack. Doctors however conclude that fish oil supplements also have sound benefits against heart attack citing a study done in Italy involving as many as 2800 heart attack survivors. What this study showed was that taking a doe on a daily basis of 850mg of omega-3 fats resulted in 20% less deaths.
Cholesterol Control Using Fish Oil
Also related to matters of the heart, fish oil is beneficial when it comes to managing LDL cholesterol also known as bad cholesterol. To get a little technical here omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in reducing the levels of triglycerides. In the process they increase the levels of good cholesterol known as HDL cholesterol. As you might have guessed lower bad cholesterol levels will reduce the risk of suffering from heart attack and even heart disease.
What Does Fish Oil Do To High Blood Pressure?
This benefit of fish oil is closely related to the role played by omega 3 fatty acids as it relates to cholesterol. In fact the other effect of high cholesterol is hypertension as a result of the narrowing or stiffening of the blood vessels. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center certain clinical analysis have shown that taking 3 grams of fish oil on a daily basis will help individuals with untreated high blood pressure keep it in control. The only problem in this situation is that 3 grams is rather too high and may result in some side effects.
Fish Oils And Diabetes
Doctors acknowledge the benefits of fish oil as it relates to diabetes. However it needs to be pointed out that there are many different variables and you need to only take omega-3 fatty acids in treatment of diabetes with the involvement of your doctor. For example, fatty acids from other foods not fish will actually create problems for people with diabetes. To illustrate this point, flaxseed also contains omega-3 fatty acids. However, diabetes patients will not be able to convert in an efficient manner ANA in flaxseed to the required form of omega-3 fatty acids. The recommended fatty acids from fish are known to play an important role in lowering the levels of triglycerides and aproproteins. This is beneficial to diabetic patients as apoproteins in particular are markers of diabetes.
Fish Oil And Cancers
Studies also show that fish oil plays a role in preventing certain types of cancers. This includes prostate cancer, breast cancer and even colon cancer.
Other important things you can expect fish oil to do in a positive sense include the following;
- asthma
- skin disorders
- menstrual cramps
- depression
- bipolar disorder
- rheumatoid arthritis
The following are the type of fish that provide omega-3 fatty acids;
- Anchovies
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Albacore tuna
- Sable fish
- Sardines
- Bluefin tuna
- Trout
- Halibut
- Swordfish
- Servings
- Fresh water bass
- Oysters
- Sea bass
- Shrimp
- Pollock
As mentioned if excessive amounts of fish oil (not cooked fish) are taken this will lead to some serious consequences. It is important to ensure that you only take the recommended amounts of supplements. Your fish oil supplement brand is also important. Since fish oil supplements are not regulated as drugs and other pharmaceutical medicines it is apparently easy to get involved with a poor supplement at worst resulting in ill health. As mentioned earlier this is were I recommend Nordic Naturals.