While it may strike some people as surprising, one of the most effective ways to fight cholesterol levels in the blood is by consuming a food high in oil: fish oil. Countless studies, including some backed by the American Heart Association have linked the consumption of fish oil to the reduction in high levels of cholesterol. In addition, a regular supplementation of fish oil, coupled with a healthy diet and exercise, can help keep the levels low. Here is why.
Fish oil is naturally high in omega 3 fatty acids. These super foods work to aid nearly any bodily process imaginable. Among their array of physical and mental health benefits, the omega 3 compounds in fish oil play an integral role in helping maintain a healthy blood pressure. The helpful acids in the fish oil carry out a three pronged attack against cholesterol. First, they prevent the buildup of triglycerides. Second, they encourage the development of high density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol. Finally, they help to prevent harmful blood clotting and actually thin the blood.
One of the key factors often leading to heat disease (and heart attacks, for that matter) is high cholesterol levels. The leading cause for high cholesterol levels is the abundance of triglycerides in the blood. This is especially true with women. Tests have shown that women taking fish oil supplements were able to lower their triglyceride levels up to 35%. This is enough to significantly reduce the chances of a heart attack.
In addition to reducing the amount of unhealthy triglycerides, fish oil encourages the levels of high density lipoproteins. This "good" cholesterol helps the body balance the overall cholesterol levels in the blood. Studies have shown that fish oil can help raise high density lipoprotein levels in women and men up to 30%.
While maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is certainly an important part of preventing heart disease and other cardiovascular occurrences, some heart attack and stroke victims did not have particularly high levels of triglycerides. The fact is, what actually causes these dreadful cardiovascular occurrences is when clots in the blood block the blood flow to either the heart of the brain. One of the most remarkable characteristics of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil is their ability to reduce clotting and even thin the blood. Studies have shown that an addition of fish oil as a daily supplement reduces the risk of a heart attack by 50%.
With all of these benefits, it is no wonder so many cardiovascular physicians recommend fish oil to their patients. However, since most of its benefits are preventative, why not start using omega 3 fish oil today and start saving your heart?
With the ups and downs that are associated with bipolar disorder (sometimes referenced as manic depressive disorder in more recent times), it's understandable that the patient might want to find a medication that can help to keep things more level. Instead of having the extreme highs and lows, the patient can manage their disorder and live a healthy and normal life. In recent years, the idea of additional medications and natural remedies to handle this diagnosis has been discussed - with surprising answers.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
When the brain is unable to regular the chemicals in the brain that affect mood, the patient can experience wide variations in their temperament. The 'ups' include euphoric feelings in which the patient is energetic, happy, and feels as though they can accomplish anything. They will often not eat as much, they will sleep little, and they will be very productive. However, when the brain chemistry changes, the 'downs' create depressive states in which the world seems lonely. The patient may be sad or angry as well as begin to isolate themselves from the world. In some 'downs,' the patient can begin to have suicidal thoughts along with fatigue, changes in eating habits and crying spells.
What's hard about bipolar disorder is that there is so little known about the chemistry in the brain that it's hard to determine how to control these chemicals. While this condition is not difficult to diagnose anymore, the medication and therapies that are tried can be successful for a time and then stop working as they once did. This may be due to another shift in the brain's chemistry or the body simply building up a resistance to the medications themselves.
A lifelong disorder, bipolar disorder can lead to major life disruptions as swings in mood can lead to erratic and harmful behaviours that need to result in hospitalisations. Once the moods are stabilised again, the patient is free to leave the hospital, but the cycles can repeat again and again.
How is Bipolar Disorder Traditionally Treated?
While the individual cases of bipolar disorder and treatments vary, there are a few common therapies that are used more commonly:
With medications like mood stabilisers, the mood can be greatly regulated over the long term. Medications like lithium are widely prescribed, but they have side effects that can be detrimental to the long term health of the patient. Other medications need to be closely monitored in the bloodstream as they can affect the liver and other organs if too highly concentrated. Other medications like anti-psychotics and anti-depressants are only used in short term therapies as a sort of bridge out of the mania or the depressive state.
Talking therapies can be beneficial when used in conjunction with medication therapy, but by itself, this does not address the brain chemistry malfunctions. Hospitalisation is a fair way to address the change in brain chemistry, but the treatment is only for issues in which the patient is suicidal and harmful to themselves and to others.
What are the Studies Saying?
That said, there are some promising studies that are linking the use of fish oil and success with bipolar disorder patients. In 1999, a controlled study used fish oil and the placebo of olive oil to see how patients with bipolar disorder responded. Results showed that moods stabilisation was possible with the use of fish oil, often helping to promote the same cellular reactions as lithium and other medications.
Another statistical analysis of countries that eat diets high in fish and fish oil showed that these countries had much lower rates or mood related disorders.
How to Increase Fish Oil Levels in the Body
The good news is that adding fish oil and essential fatty acids to the diet is a relatively simple process. With a number of fatty fishes to choose from, it's simple to add two to three servings of these essential nutrients to your diet each week. However, with rising pollution counts in the water, scientists are wary of suggesting human consumption of anything more than two to three servings a week. Higher mercury levels in the water can damage the body and cause toxicity in the bloodstream.
Essential fatty acids can also be found in non-fish sources like flaxseed, nuts, and seeds. Many more food choices are also being fortified with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, so it's easier than ever to add these to the diet.
However, finding the time to prepare fish and to find these products can be difficult. To help make this step easier, fish oil supplements are also available. They provide concentrated amounts of essential fatty acids in a convenient form. In addition, they don't contain the high levels of mercury.
Conclusion
While dealing with mental illness requires several different approaches to therapy, adding fish oil seems to be the easier step toward more stable moods and a much more stable life.
Both Thomas Budd & David Mcevoy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Thomas Budd has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquarium Fish, High Cholesterol and Aquarium Fish. Thomas Budd has a strong interest in fish oil, as he takes the supplement everyday. He believes in the use of good nutrition through natural, scientifically proven methods in order to advance overall health. For more information on fish oil, please visit. Thomas Budd's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
David Mcevoy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Aquarium Fish and Fitness. Dave McEvoy is an expert in fish oil EPA with over 20 years experience; for more information about fish oil and how it can help come and visit.. David Mcevoy's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.