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Fish Oil and Your Health
Fish oil contains Omega-3
fatty acid which may play a critical role in the
prevention and treatment of chronic diseases including
coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes,
arthritis and other immune/inflammatory disorder, and
cancer.
Fishing for a Healthy
Heart
While there are many
pharmacological treatments for the prevention and
management of coronary heart disease, the American Heart
Association* agrees that simple dietary interventions
may prove to be more beneficial. This includes adding
fish oil to your diet.
Omega-3 fatty acid from
fish and fish oils can protect against cardiovascular
disease.
Some of the benefits
omega-3 has to offer the heart:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Counteracts or prevents
cardiac arrhythmia
- Lowers triglyceride, or
neutral fat, concentrations
- Tends to prevent
thrombosis (a blood clot within a blood vessel)
- Prevents fatty deposits
and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries from forming
- Anti-inflammatory
- Improves endothielial
function: a major factor in promoting the growth of new
blood vessels.
A New Angle for Neck and
Back Conditions
A study revealed at the
American Association of Neurological Surgeons' annual meeting
showed patients with non-surgical neck or back pain who took
fish oil supplements had reduction in pain. Sixty percent
reported reduction in the both overall pain and joint pain, and
59% discontinued taking prescription pain medications or
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. none of the patients
experienced significant side effects.
Good for the Brain and
Children, too.
The main component of omega-3
is eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
The human brain is one of the largest "consumers" of DHA.
DHA is essential for infant brain development and adult
brain/nerve function. It also increases learning abilty and
visual acuity.
Low DHA levels have been linked to an increased tendency to depression,
suicide and violence. A high intake of fish has been linked to
a significant decrease in age-related memory loss and cognitive
function impairment and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease. A recent study found that Alzheimer's patients given an
omega-3-rich supplement experienced a significant improvement in
their quality of life.
An adequate intake of DHA and
EPA is particularly important during pregnancy and lactation.
During this time the mother must supply all the baby's needs for
DHA and EPA because it is unable to synthesize these essential
fatty acids itself. DHA makes up 15 to 20% of the cerebral
cortex and 30 to 60% of the retina so it is absolutely necessary
for normal development of the fetus and baby. There is some
evidence that an insufficient intake of omega-3 fatty acids may
increase the risk of premature birth and an abnormally low birth
weight.
Where can I get fish oil?
The best source is from eating
fish at least two times a week. Fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring,
sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of
omega-3 fatty acids.
There are also good fish oil
supplements available at your local supermarket, drugstore or
health-food store. Check the label to make sure it has been
purified from mercury and other harmful contaminants that can be
found in fish.
*Guidelines from the American
Heart Association have supported the use of fish oil supplements
for patients with documented coronary heart disease.
End Note:
Pregnant
women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor before
taking fish oil supplements.
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