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The Importance and Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements
1. What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish. This oil naturally contains the Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Fish oil is now recommended for a healthy diet. It is beneficial to eat fish once a week (or more) but care must be taken to avoid the fish species which contain the toxin mercury or other contaminants such as Chlordane. The list of fish includes: Largemouth Bass, Sturgeon, and others such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, and Tilefish. Note that these species are often predators, which can accumulate toxic substances due to their position at the top of the food chain.
Some experts believe that taking fish oil (in any form) can help regulate cholesterol in the body. This is because of the high levels of Omega 3, specifically the effects of the EPA and DHA constituents on Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARa), whose benefits include not only reduction of cholesterol, but also anti-imflammatory properties and positive effects on body composition. However, it should be noted that the preferred source of Omega 3 should be from the fish's body, not the liver. The liver of fish and many animals, such as seals and whales, contains, besides Omega-3, the active form of Vitamin A, such as in cod liver oil. At high levels, this form of the vitamin can be dangerous. This proved fatal to early explorers to the land of the Inuit.
They were given raw liver by the natives, which contained a toxic overdose of Vitamin A for the white explorers; however, the same amount was harmless to the Inuit, who had no other source of Vitamin A except animal livers.
Many scientists have found several reasons to believe that the high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some forms of cancer is due to the imbalance between our intake of omega-6 and Omega-3. Before, our ancestors thrived on a perfectly balanced diet of omega-6 and Omega-3 with a ratio of 1:1. Recent changes in our dietary habits through the years have pushed that ration to something that is close to 20:1. Naturally, this spells trouble big time.
2. Sources of Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are commonly found in vegetable oils such as corn oil and soy oil. Both of these contain high amounts of linoleic acid which are essential components that make up Omega-6. On the other hand, Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and marine plankton and fish oils.Flaxseed and walnut oils are predominantly alpha-linoleic acids while the main components of fatty fish and fish oils are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The most active and beneficial of these fatty acids are EPA and DHA which are found in fish oils.
3. Benefits of Fish Oils Supplements:
The importance of fish oils was first brought up when Danish physicians observed that Greenland Eskimos have low risks of heart disease and arthritis.
This is astonishing, considering that the Eskimos consume high-fat diet. The benefit was later attributed to the presence of EPA and DHA in fish oils and fatty fish.
More recent researches have also shown that fish oils (EPA and DHA) play a crucial role in the prevention of atherosclerosis, heart attack, depression, and cancer. Clinical studies were also conducted and the results clearly showed the effect of fish oils against these chronic ailments. Many disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Raynaud’s disease are said to be treated through fish oil supplementation.
How Fish Oil benefits the Human Brain
One of the largest “consumers” of fish oil DHA is the human brain. In fact, a normal adult human brain contains more than grams of fish oil DHA. Low levels of fish oil DHA are said to reduce the secretion of the hormone serotonin which is linked to behavioral disorders such as depression, suicide, and violence. Studies concerning the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease have shown that a high intake of fish and fish oils can significantly decrease age-related memory loss and cognitive function impairment.
There are several more benefits linked to consuming fish oils. Those mentioned above are only a few.
