Fish Oil for Your Health
The mention of oils and fats will make some health-conscious individuals run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.
Fish Oil – The Truth
Essential fatty acids should always be consumed as part of our daily diet since without them we are not as healthy. Essential fatty acids can be divided into two groups: omega-3 EFAS and omega-6 EFAs.
Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. You can also find Omega-3 EFAs in walnuts, flaxseed oils, and marine plankton. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).
EPA and DHA, two essential fatty acids are helpful in preventing depression, some forms of cancer, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis. Food supplemented with fish oil have proven to be benefical in treating illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud’s disease, ulcerative colitis and diabetes.
Additional Fish Oil Benefits
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Making a Healthier Heart
The heart is certainly the most important part of the body and when the heart is diseased it can mean a limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.
In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.
Fish to Become Thin
A study in Perth, Australia showed fish consumption could be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
Fish Oil and Asthma
People who suffer with problems such as asthma are often thought to be unfit or unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics have shown that close to 25 percent of kids today will suffer some type of asthma in their lives. Some evidence shows a diet high in linoletic acid as the reason for it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. The results shows that participants who consumed more fish were able to breathe more easily and were less prone to asthma attachs as well.
Speak With Your Nutritionist
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Consult with your nutritionist regarding the correct amount of fish for your health status and age. Give fish oil a try and see the benefits to your health. You can try fish oil for free and discover for yourself if it works for you.