Fish Oil Pills

thehigherstandard | Dec 1, 2010 |

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Fish oil pills are popular options when striving to add dietary supplements to achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Doctors and physical trainers alike each preach the benefit of fish oil, including reducing inflammation and the likelihood that medication to control high cholesterol will be needed. However, even though it seems like everyone is jumping on the fish oil bandwagon, before running out to purchase fish oil pills, there are many things you should consider.

First, you should understand the basics of fish oil nutrition. Fish oil is processed from the tissues of oily fish which has been scientifically shown to contain two omega-3 fatty acids known as "EPA" (or eicosapentaenoic acid) and "DHA" (or docosahexaenoic acid). This is significant because the fish oil benefits are largely due to the fact that EPA and DHA are also known as "essential fatty acids" in that, although they are crucial to normal human development, the body cannot produce them. Instead, omega 3 acids must be consumed in the diet. Fortunately, many species of fish have omega-3s in their tissues due to either consuming microalgae that produce the fatty acids, or by eating fish that that have consumed the microalgae. Note, however, that no species of fish produces these essential fatty acids by themselves.

Of course, the omega 3 fatty acid content varies throughout the various species of fish. Certain fish like shark, swordfish, tilefish, salmon, halibut are what are considered high level omega three fatty acid fish. In a nutshell, this means that you can expect more the one-half a gram per three ounces of fish. On the other hand, tuna, cod, catfish, flounder, pollock, mahi mahi, red snapper, king mackerel, and grouper have less than half a gram per three ounce serving.

Keep in mind, however, that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids are not the only thing you should consider when looking to buy fish oil pills. You should also consider whether the fish is a predatory fish. Predatory fish, such as sword fish, shark, tilefish, and albacore tuna, even though they may be very high in essential fatty acids, are often also very high in toxins. This is due to the process of biomagnification. Essentially, this means that fish that are at the top of the food chain repeatedly eat other fish that have built up toxic substances in their tissues. After a while, a predatory fish, having eaten many other fish over its lifetime, have no doubt accumulated a bunch of contaminants in their systems. Toxins vary but usually include mercury, PCB's, chlordane and dioxin. Accordingly, the FDA (the "Federal Drug Administration") have recently begun recommending that consumers consume predatory fish sparingly.

With that said, the health benefits of fish oil pills are universally accepted. These fish oil benefits are achieved by consumption of liquid fish oil, fish oil pills, fish oil capsules, fish oil tablets, fish oil supplements or any other form of fish oil concentrate. These benefits include the following.

First, fish oil pills have been shown to decrease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including joint pain and inflammation. Inflammation is a leading precursor of many ailments, including cardiovascular disease.

Second, fish oil supplements have been linked to improving heart health. They do this by assisting in the lowering of cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Because these are primary contributors to cardiovascular disease, by lowering these factors, the risk of having heart issues also lower.

Third, fish oil lower the risk of heart attack and strokes. Science teaches us that plaque builds up on the walls of arteries and, when they get big enough, they break away and form blood clots. Fish oil has been shown to reduce blood from blotting.

Fourth, fish oil pills assist in increasing brain function. This has led the media terming fish and fish oil as "brain food." By taking fish oil pills, memory, recall, reasoning and focus are all improved.

Fifth, omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease the risk of mental issues such as depression, dementia, and psychosis. It is has also been shown to lessen the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Sixth, fish oil concentrate increases fertility in both male and female patients. Although the fish oil dose is a primary factor in determining the effectiveness, fish oil has been linked to improved hormone balancing as well as increased blood flow to vital reproductive organs.

Seventh, pregnancy health is increased by the consumption of fish oil. This is accomplished by reducing pregnancy preeclampsia, premature birth and postpartum depression. Fish oil also increases the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the baby and the mother.

Eighth, childhood disorders are reduced by taking fish oil capsules. Some of the disorders that see improvement by taking fish oil pills include ADD and ADHD, as well as the lessening of the possibility of dyslexia.

Ninth, osteoporosis is reduced, especially women who have already experienced menopause.

Tenth, various forms of cancer are reduced when taken in conjunction with fish oil products.

So, accordingly, the prevention of cancer, fish oil cholesterol reduction, fish oil inflammation reduction, fish oil arthritis relief, mental health improvement (including preventing depression), and fish oil heart attack reduction (i.e., cardiovascular system issues) so you should consider adding fish oil pills to your diet.

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 pills and whether they would be right for you. However, once cleared by your doctor or other medical provider, you should consider adding fish oil pills to your diet so that you can take advantage of all of the health benefits of fish oil.

Legal Disclaimer: The statements and information upon this website have not necessarily been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products featured are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consumers should always consult their own medical practitioner(s) with any medical or health concerns before starting any new diet, product or supplement.