Thursday, June 27, 2013

9 Main Benefits of Fish Oil & Side Effects That You Should Know

Since ancient times, eating fish has always been linked with the level of intelligence as well as physical health. A study has successfully revealed the benefits of fish oil for health. However, the most important benefits of fish oil not only making the children smarter, but also beneficial for heart health. In addition, the study also noted that fish oil can help reduce levels of fat in the blood, lowering blood pressure and preventing strokes.

The benefits are usually associated with the presence of omega-3 essential fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The other content of essential fatty acids including alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and Gamma-linolenic acid or GLA. The other benefits of fish oil has been proven through scientific studies is to maintain eye health, reduce symptoms of depression, impaired concentration, until severe mental illness Schizophrenia. Content of omega-3 in fish oil can not be produced by the body, thereby to obtain sufficient quantities, we must consume foods that contain omega-3. 



Various types of fish that can be a good source of fish oil are: mackerel, rainbow trout, trout, halibut, herring, sardines, swordfish, oysters, tuna, blue fin tuna, yellow fin tuna, anchovies and salmon. The most commonly used as a source of fish oil is such as albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, trout and salmon. Quality fish oil really depends on what kind of fish oil is processed to be taken.

According to wikipedia marine and freshwater fish oil vary in contents of arachidonic acid, EPA and DHA. The various species range from lean to fatty and their oil content in the tissues has been shown to vary from 0.7–15.5%. They also differ in their effects on organ lipids. Studies have revealed that there is no relation between total fish intake or estimated omega−3 fatty acid intake from all fish and serum omega−3 fatty acid concentrations. Only fatty fish intake, particularly salmonid, and estimated EPA + DHA intake from fatty fish has been observed to be significantly associated with increase in serum EPA + DHA.

9 main benefits of fish oil

Maintain a healthy heart
The first main benefits of fish oil is keeping your heart health, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), clinical trials have shown that omega-3 effective for reducing cardiovascular-related diseases (CVD). Fish oil is a good source of omega 3, therefore, can reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias. 

Diabetes Type II 
Patients with diabetes type II are prone to cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke. As mentioned above, fish oil helps in treating various heart problems. Research conducted at the University of Oxford, UK, has shown that fish oil is also useful in reducing triglyceride levels in diabetes.

Alzheimer's disease
Research conducted at Louisiana State University have shown that fatty acids are effective in treating Alzheimer's disease. Because fish oil is one of the best sources of essential fatty acids including EPA and DHA, it helps in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.Research conducted at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) has validated the usefulness of fish oil as a cure for this disease. Alzheimer's Association recommends fish containing higher omega-3 fatty acids to patients, because it acts as a protector for the diet to Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

ADHD or ADD Treatment
Fish oil has the ability to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) because of the high concentration of fatty acids. If your child suffers from hyperactivity, dyslexia, dyspraxia, inability to complete tasks, emotional instability, wavering attitude, poor coordination, short attention span, short term memory, poor concentration, tendency to interrupt others, impulsiveness, low IQ, or interference study, fish oil is a medicine that has been proven. Research conducted at the University of South Australia and CSIRO have shown that when children suffering from ADHD were given doses of fish oil and evening primrose capsules for 15 weeks, they showed significant improvement.

Good for pregnant women
Fish oil is very useful for DHA in pregnant women because it will help in the development of baby's eyes and brain. It also can help avoid premature birth, low birth weight and miscarriage. The study conducted in Denmark, which involved 8,729 pregnant women, concluded that a diet with a low number of fish resulting in high risk preterm infants. It is also the belief that women who do not have sufficient intake of EPA and DHA in their diet, suffer depression after childbirth because there is some amount of brain mass transfer from mother to child in the last stages of pregnancy.

Depression and Anxiety
Due to the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil good for relieving depression, sadness, anxiety, restlessness, mental fatigue, stress, decreased arousal, bad tendencies and other nervous disorders. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio in their research publication titled "Fish Oil and Bipolar Disorder: A Promising but Untested Treatment" state that fish oil may be useful in mood stabilizing and treating bipolar disorder.

Improved Immunity
It is also believed that eating oily fish regularly can help in improving immunity, making it possible to fight the onset of common diseases such as colds, coughs and flu. Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil benefit the immune system, namely by influencing cytokines and eicosanoids in our bodies.

Anti-inflammatory
Fish is effective in reducing inflammation in the blood and tissues. Regular consumption of fish oil supplements, tablets, pills and capsules is very helpful for those suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. Fish oil is effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders, sprue, short bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which is a typical disorder of the intestine. Patients suffering from Crohn's disease is difficult to absorb vitamins, fats and essential supplements. Dietary fish oil supplementation is effective for the patient.

Blood Circulation
Fish oil is believed to have the ability to improve blood circulation and reduce serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Benefits of improving blood circulation, especially studied in mice.

The side effects of fish oil

Excessive doses of fish oil can lead to allergies and adverse impact can be no adverse effects on the body. Furthermore, fish oil can be a problem on many conditions. The need for caution in consuming fish oil supplements. You should consult with your doctor to get the proper dosage of fish oil.

In addition, fish oil can be consumed in various forms, including eating fish directly, roasting, frying. Or eating fish oil supplements are available in concentrated form in foods such as liquids, tablets, capsules, pills, soft gels, etc.. Also there are a variety of pharmaceutical grade fish oil results. No need to always take pharmaceutical grade fish oil, or fish oil supplements. You should also consult with your doctor before taking fish oil supplements.