Have you ever wondered: what does fish oil do to improve my health? I know I did, and you may have wondered the same thing. Let me try to clear things up for you.
Fish contains omega 3, which is an essential fatty acid. "Essential" means that we need it to maintain normal body functions, however we must actually consume it in the foods we eat or take a quality supplement as our body cannot produce it on its own. Docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the two most important omega-3's. So what exactly does fish oil do for you that makes it so essential? Here are five short answers to that question.
1. Improves Brain Health: This is the big one. 60% of the human brain is comprised of fat, and approximately half of that is from a form of omega 3. That means approximately 1/3 of our brain needs this essential fatty acid to function properly.
Fatty acids are also essential in the formation of the brain's nerve cell membranes and membrane fluidity. Since nerve cell function depends on membrane functioning and membrane fluidity, changes in it have a negative effect on behavior, mood and mental function. Depression, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, problems with memory and other disorders have all been associated with a deficiency of omega 3.
2. Eases aches and pains from arthritis: Omega 3 has incredible anti-inflammatory properties. This leads to altogether better joint function and less pain for arthritis sufferers, including those with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory forms of arthritis. Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosapentaenoic acid actually reduce the amount of compounds causing inflammation in the body.
3. Protects against allergies: DHA and EPA have been found to protect against symptoms of hay fever, asthma, food allergies, sinus infections, and even allergic skin conditions such as hives and eczema. Studies have been done that show improved control in those with asthma that eat foods rich in EPA and DHA on a weekly basis because it lowers the level of airway narrowing (which causes restriction of breathing during an asthma attack) and calms inflammation.
Mothers who increase their intake of these fatty acids during pregnancy may also help protect their babies against the development of various allergies.
4. Improves visual health and function: Various studies have shown that regular consumption of DHA and EPA is linked to a lowered risk of age related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of severe visual loss in people over 50. Omega-3 fatty acids form an important part in the building blocks of the retina, which is used for fine focus tasks such as reading. Intake of fish oil may also improve focus, color, perception and clarity of vision.
5. Overall improvement of cardiovascular health: Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States. A diet rich in fatty acids (especially EPA and DHA) has been proven to benefit heart health in many ways, such as lowering triglycerides, lowering mild hypertension, preventing blood clots, reducing heart irregularities such as arrhythmia's, and improving circulation problems such as varicose veins and Raynaud's disease.
The American Heart Association guidelines recommends two servings a week of fish for healthy persons and a daily serving containing at least 900mg for persons with heart disease.
So, what does fish oil do to improve your health? These five answers are only a handful of the many important benefits regular consumption of DHA and EPA provides to both healthy persons and those with existing medical conditions. The best bet for your health is to start including more of these essential fatty acids in your diet, or through a supplement that provides the same great advantages.
Amy L. Connor is a long time user and passionate advocate of quality omega 3 fish oil supplements. Visit her site now to learn more about the purest and most health beneficial omega 3 supplements she found through extensive research: Your Best Supplements Site
