Omega-3 fish oil, is fish oil that contains Omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Three of these omega-3 fatty acids are of important nutritional value and are beneficial to our health. Who among us does not want to be healthy? Among other things Omega 3 is said to improve circulation, help with diabetes, arthritis and depression. Aid the immune system, help with learning and behavioural problems and improve memory in old age. Omega-3 in fish oil has recently also been shown to be beneficial during pregnancy. Omega-3 is now thought to be so beneficial to the development of unborn babies that it is being re-recommended that pregnant women eat a small amount of fish each week to assure a small omega-3 intake. It is believed the benefits outweigh the dangers of the presence of trace amounts of heavy metals such as mercury which until now have stopped most pregnant women from eating fish or seafood. Omega-3 fish oil tablets offer a safe alternative as manufacturers of omega-3, tablets and gel, process the oil to remove any base metals (not all manufacturers remove base metals be sure to check before buying). These are just a few of the potential health benefits being looked into. Perhaps one of the most interesting areas of research regarding Omega-3 fatty acids is the possibility that they are actually necessary to our mental health, and can help reduce the incidence of depression.
Omega-3 supplements are processed from fish oils which are found naturally in some fatty fish. The fish do not make the omega-3, they collect it from algae they eat in the water. The most common source of omega-3 rich fish oils are from salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel and sardines. Tuna also contains Omega-3 fatty acids but only in small amounts. By far the easiest way to include omega-3 in your diet is to take omega-3 tablets or gel capsules.
It sounds great but is any of this hype true? As with all medical claims it can take some time to verify each individual claim and research into these areas of medicine and psychology can take years to release conclusive results. However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, USA) in 2006 recognized two types of Omega-3 fatty acids as having valid health merit, those were eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. In short they admitted that Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to be beneficial in the treatment of coronary artery disease. More recently, as mentioned above, the FDA have reversed an older recommendation for pregnant women not to eat seafood for fear of heavy metals, claiming that the benefits of omega-3 outweigh the risk of harm from a small intake of fish.
Contrary to popular belief Omega-3 fish oil capsules and tablets do not taste like fish, they taste like any other natural vitamin supplement, so for those of you out there that don't like the taste of fish you need not worry. There are several different sources of omega-3 fatty acids, the most common and readily available is in capsules and tablets, but you can also get omega-3 from regular dietary intake of fish, flax seeds or walnuts.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be easily damaged essentially voiding their nutritional value. Omega-3 fatty acids can go rancid on contact with air, heat or oxygen. That is why you should never cook with fish oil, flax seed oil or walnut oil. They are in-fact best consumed raw. Because of the sensitive nature of omega-3 fatty acids they need to be stored carefully in cool, dry and dark places such as the fridge or freezer. Purchasing omega-3 oil with added vitamin E is recommended if possible as vitamin E protects the omega-3 as it is an antioxidant.
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What if I told you some of the benefits of fish oil supplements have been known for hundreds of years, while others were only recognized recently. Some studies are still on-going. Basically, it seems that fish is an essential food.
You might say that people who don't eat enough of it are suffering from omega3 deficiency. That might be an oversimplification or an overstatement, but that is how many researchers look at it. They believe that it contributes to age-related diseases. They know that omega3s are essential for healthy brain development in infants and children. Currently, researchers in Canada are evaluating just how DHA, a specific omega3 fatty acid, could be linked to protecting brain function in the elderly.
DHA or Docosahexaenoic Acid accounts for 40% of the fatty acids in the brain and 60% of those found in the retina. The retina is the light gathering lining within the eye. Degeneration of the retina, and particularly of an area in it called the macula, is the primary cause of blindness in the elderly. So, the long-term benefits of fish oil supplements include reducing the risk of age-related blindness, Alzheimer's and dementia.
Cancer can occur at any age. But the risk of cancer increases as a person gets older. Increasing omega3 intake seems to protect against certain types of cancer. The evidence comes from animal studies. It is difficult to prove a preventative benefit in people. For one thing, there are too many variables to consider.
In order to protect your long-term health, you need to maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet and get plenty of physical activity. The primary benefits of fish oil supplements are to enhance that kind of healthy lifestyle and make up for shortcomings in our every day diets. No matter how hard you try, nobody's perfect and not many people can tolerate the thought of eating fish every single day.
There are omega3 fatty acids in other foods, such as walnuts and olive oil, but it is a-Linolenic acid or ALA, not DHA. Promoters of flax seed will tell you that the body can convert ALA to the other longer chained fatty acids, but research has proven that ALA supplements do not increase blood levels of DHA, even when taken in large amounts.
Low levels of DHA in the blood are associated with depressive disorders. Research conducted using human volunteers has shown that there are benefits of fish oil supplements for people suffering from depression and anxiety.
In conclusion, when you are comparing one supplement to another, remember to check out the DHA content, as well as the omega3 content. The content varies greatly from one brand to the next.
Also find out what standards for purity and freshness the manufacturer adheres to. The standards set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition are good. The International Fish Oils Standards are higher. Some manufacturers' standards exceed both of those.
Purity and freshness are important. You want the benefits of fish oil supplements, not more toxins. You get enough of those already.
Both John Roland & Sherman Chambliss 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.
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