Chitika

Chitika

söndag 29 november 2009

Fish Oil Benefits Your Entire Body

By Daniel Fittman

To discuss fish oil benefits, it almost seems easier to talk about what it cannot do for you. With all the things you hear about fish oil, it seems like it is some kind of miracle cure for just about everything. And that really is not so far off the mark because it supplies something that your body cannot function properly without.

The fish oil that your body needs must be from cold deep-water fish such as cod, salmon, mackerel and herring. The deeper the water, the better, as the fish should contain less mercury. Mercury levels are always a concern with fish consumption.

The particular substance that fish oil provides is Omega 3 fatty acids. Our body needs these to perform several functions but we cannot synthesize what we require. Therefore, we must get them from our diet or from supplementation. But most of us do not have enough fish in our daily food intake to supply what our bodies need.

Among the reasons your body needs fish oil fatty acids is for good cardiovascular health. Studies show that these fatty acids both increase good cholesterol levels and decrease the bad. They help keep plaques from forming in the arteries which can then cause strokes and heart attacks. Omega 3s have also been found to lower blood pressure.

These fatty acids are also important for the functioning of your brain, particularly in its behavioral and cognitive abilities. Omega 3 deficiencies have been indicated in many mental disorders such as schizophrenia and other illnesses, as well as Parkinsons and Alzheimers. Supplementation with fish oil is showing improvement with adults and children who suffer from ADHD and ADD.

The Omega 3s found in fish oil are also essential in development of both the brain and the nervous system. Pregnant women should be sure that they are getting enough of these fatty acids for good fetal development. There are some studies that have shown that premature deliveries are less likely when the mother is supplementing with fish oil.

Omega 3s in fish oil also act as anti-inflammatories and can be used for reducing inflammation and pain in any such condition in the body. Examples of these conditions include lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and prostatitis. The anti-inflammatory aspect of fish oil can also work on reduction of wrinkles in the skin. The acids also increase collagen production, which is a further aid in more youthful skin.

Fish oil has also been found to help prevent cancer, specifically that of the breast, prostate and colon. The Omega 3s do this by keeping the normal cell from mutating into a cancerous one, stopping abnormal cell growth and killing off cancer cells.

Another fish oil benefit, but hardly the last, is promotion of serotonin production and inhibition of stress producing hormones. Serotonin is a hormone that basically makes us feel good from an emotional standpoint. Between these two functions, we feel happier and less stressed and, as a result, our immune system is stronger as well.

There are more fish oil benefits that could be added, but the point is made. These fish oil fatty acids are vital for your health. When you look for a supplement, be sure that you find one that has no fillers and no preservatives. You want a high quality supplement made from nothing but cold-water fish.

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