Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Fish Oil Benefits
Most cold-water fish contain oil in their fillet cavity. This oil is very rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. These nutrients are generally consumed to treat inflammation of the body.
Types of fish that have high levels of Omega 3 containing fish oil include trout, tuna, salmon, and sardine. However, consuming such types of fish in a very high quantity can be harmful due to the high toxin content of their body through a process known as biomagnifications, since these fish are relatively higher on the food chain.
The fish oil industry is the most lucrative in Norway, Chile, Iceland and Peru, the latter being the largest in the business. Omega 3 fatty acids not only help diagnosing inflammation, but also control the cholesterol content and enhance the composition of the human body, due to the influence of EPA and DHA on PPARα.
DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid and EPA is the abbreviation for Eicosapentanoic acid, both of which are types of essential Omega 3 fatty acid found widely in fish oil.
Here, one needs to remember that none of these Omega 3 compositions are produced by the fish independently. The micro organic algae and photosynthetic reactions of other autotrophs are the original makers of EPA and DHA. The former is a precedent and a necessary condition for the formation of the latter. These Omega 3 fatty acid formations start to modify themselves as they reach higher tropic levels.
Benefits of DHA include reduction in the risk for cardiac illness, maintaining adequate proportion of serotonin in the brain and fighting manic depression.
Recent developments in research have enough proof to claim that DHA plays a positive role in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, postpartum depression and coronary artery blockage, prevention of cancer and benefits to lactating females.
Studies show that women who are pregnant need to supplement their daily diet with higher amounts of DHA. This increases the Omega 3 fatty acid content of breast milk, which in turn proves to be very beneficial for the baby.
EPA is apparently very important in the diagnosis for Schizophrenia. It should be noted that diabetes inhibits the body’s capacity for EPA. Such individuals should take additional EPA supplements to maintain adequate levels of it.
For this reason, food supplements such as yogurt and milk containing DHA and EPA and other Omega 3 fatty acids have been brought into the market for consumption.
Fish oil is extracted from the body of the fish and not from the liver (cod liver oil). Both Omega 3 and Omega 6 are basically kinds of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. The human body requires adequate amounts of both. Omega 3 is found generously in fish oil. Other sources of this type of fatty acid include nuts, avocados, flaxseed, eggs, and lactose rich food.
An important point to be noted here is that it is not fish oil that is the diagnosis. However, the Omega 3 fatty acid is. The fish oil is just the most effective way of consuming it.
It is always advisable to consult your doctor before you start fish oil supplements.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
