Fish Oil Benefits

thehigherstandard | Dec 1, 2010 |

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Fish oil benefits are becoming the topic of conversation in more and more households as families strive to achieve (or maintain) a healthy lifestyle. In fact, fish oil supplements are routinely recommended by physicians and doctors as an effective method of reducing "bad cholesterol" levels and to improve one's overall health. With that said, there are many factors to consider before rushing out to buy fish oil pills, fish oil softgels, or liquid fish oil.

Fish Oil Nutrition

Made from the tissues of oil fish, fish oil nutrition is primarily derived from the fact that they contain two essential omega-3 fatty acids: "EPA" (or eicosapentaenoic acid) and "DHA" (or docosahexaenoic acid). In fact, the health benefits of fish oil are commonly believed to reduce inflammation in the human body and to contribute to many additional health benefits.

A common misconception is that various species of fish produce omega-3 fatty acids. However, this is not true. Fish accumulate omega-3s by either consuming fatty acid producing microalgae or by consuming the fish that have obtained them by eating the microalgae.

Keep in mind, however, that not all species of fish contain the same amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish such as salmon, halibut, shark, swordfish, and tilefish all have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids per three ounce serving (i.e., more than 0.50 grams per three ounce serving), while other species such as tuna, pollock, cod, catfish, flounder, grouper, mahi mahi, red snapper, and king mackerel have less (i.e., less than 0.50 grams per three ounce serving). However, albacore tuna, tilefish, sword fish, shark and other predatory fish, while high in omega-3 fatty acids, often accumulate toxic substances in their tissue as a result of biomagnification (i.e., fish at the top of the food chain continuously consume other fish that have accumulated toxins in their tissues). These toxins include mercury, PCBs, chlordane and dioxin and, as a result, the Federal Drug Administration ("FDA") has recommended that consumers limit their intake of predatory fish species.

Health Benefits of Fish Oil

The health benefits of fish oil abound including improvement of the cardiovascular system, cancer prevention, and treatment of several forms of mental health issues (such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression).

Fish Oil Cholesterol

Many doctors tout the health benefits of fish oil to include the regulation of cholesterol in the human body. This fish oil cholesterol regulation is the direct result of the EPA and DHA found in fish oil. In fact, research has shown that consuming species of fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids or by taking a pharmaceutical fish oil dietary supplement, increases the "good cholesterol" levels in the body.

Fish Oil Heart Attack

Fish oil supplements (especially high potency fish oil pills) have also been shown to reduce triglyceride levels (i.e., concerns related to hypertriglyceridemia) and to thin human blood. Each of these fish oil benefits the reduce heart attack risks. Additional health benefits of fish oil tablets include regulation of heart rhythms (which can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death) as well as prevention of strokes (including ischemic stroke and thrombotic stroke) related to cardiovascular disease (due primarily to the slowing of the effect of hardening of arteries and thinning of blood). Furthermore, another heart related condition for which fish oil and fish oil supplements are recommended by the U.S. National Institute of Health is the reduction of high blood pressure.

Fish Oil Inflammation

In addition to the heart-related fish oil benefits, omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce inflammation. Often cited as one of the best fish oil benefits, fish oil inflammation reduction is a primary reason to take fish oil supplements due, in large part, to the sheer number of serious conditions and diseases associated with inflammation. Some of these diseases and conditions include heart (and other cardiovascular) diseases, arthritis (fish oil arthritis issues) psoriasis (fish oil skin issues), and various mental health conditions (such as Alzheimer's disease). Fish oil nutrition (i.e., the omega-3 fatty acids) prevent the formation of certain molecules that produce inflammatory signals.

Fish Oil Arthritis

Fish oil arthritis reduction is another benefit of omega-3 fatty acids and the intake of fish oil supplements has been shown that they are effective at reducing (and sometimes eliminating) the pain and symptoms associated with various forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, after regular consumption, fish oil supplements have been linked to a reduction in joint stiffness and tenderness (i.e., often referred to as "morning stiffness"). What this typically means is that in order to achieve relief from arthritis and arthritis-like conditions, it is necessary to consume some form of fish oil concentrate over an extended period of time. For more immediately joint stiffness and tenderness relief, a doctor or physician may recommend an over the counter painkiller.

Mental Health Fish Oil Benefits

In addition to the physical health benefits of fish oil, the various forms of fish oil concentrate (i.e., fish oil supplements, fish oil pills, fish oil tablets, fish oil softgels, etc.) have been shown to benefit mental health including those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

Alzheimer's disease usually starts as intermittent memory loss accompanied by a slight change in personality. Unfortunately, this disease rapidly deteriorates into dementia and, ultimately, death. Studies have shown that these patients lack sufficient levels of a certain protein (LR11) that prevents a build up of toxins that are harmful to neurons found in the brain. Cognitive problems associated with this disease have been reduced (and maybe even prevented) by consuming fish oil and fish oil supplements because the DHA found therein has been linked to an increased production of the vital LR11 protein.

Similarly, prevention of Parkinson's disease may also show promise by consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. Parkinson's disease is caused by a neurotoxin that disrupts and decreases the body's dopamine system. Omega-3 fatty acids have has been shown to prevent this disruption from occurring and, as such, are typically thought to be additional health benefits of fish oil.

Depression Fish Oil Benefits

Alzheimer and Parkinson's disease prevention are not the only mental health fish oil benefit. Additional benefits include prevention of depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. These fish oil benefits occur as a result of the omega-3 fatty acids' assistance in regulating both the brain's dopamine and serotonin systems. Because these mental health conditions are thought to be related to these signaling systems (and their related hormones), maintaining these systems through consumption of fish oil concentrate can actually reduce or prevent mental illness symptoms.

There are many fish oil benefits and, as a result, if you are suffering from any of the conditions or diseases discussed above, ask your doctor if you should buy fish oil supplements and whether they would be right for you.

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