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The Benefits of Omega 3 Fish Oil
By: David Bloom
Much recent research points to the benefits of Omega 3 fish oil for cardiovascular, neurological and overall health and wellbeing. The evidence is so overwhelming that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) now recommends including fish oil as part of a healthy, balanced diet regimen.
Unlike the oil from other sources, fish oil contains two of the most beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA). These long-chained fatty acids cannot be obtained from any other sources, which is why fish oil has been the topic of so much discussion of late.
One of the major points of debate has been whether you are better off eating a lot of cold water fish such as cod, salmon and hoki or getting pure Omega 3 fatty acids through supplementation. Although experts have different opinions, studies show that you will probably reap the most benefits with fish oil capsules, as long as they are high quality and contain optimal levels of the two essential fatty acids.
Some of the many Omega 3 fish oil benefits include preventing the onset of heart disease, lowering cholesterol, relieving inflammation, improving eyesight and enhancing cognitive function. It has also been shown to be helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers, and helping with conditions such as arthritis and depression.
Including fish with high Omega 3 content in your diet is definitely a good choice, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, due to poor manufacturing and handling processes, much of the fish we eat is depleted of nutrients by the time it hits the ice bin in your local store or fish market. That means much of the Omega 3 content is no longer present.
Another consideration is the potential for mercury contamination, and the presence of other harmful toxins. That is why pregnant women and young children are advised against eating fish.
So in order to reap the maximum Omega 3 fish oil benefits through your diet, you'd have to eat an enormous amount of fish, and you'd be increasing your risk of toxin exposure exponentially.
As such, you are probably better off with high quality fish oil capsules, harvested from fish with high levels of DHA and EPA. The better supplements will be purified so that there is no contamination, and encapsulated in such as way as to preserve the integrity of the oil within, ensuring that you can reap the maximum fish oil benefits.
Although fish oil capsules can leave a bitter taste in your mouth, at least you know you are getting pure Omega 3 fatty acids. Most people find that they get used to them after a short period of time. If you are interested in supplementation, make sure you buy from a reputable company, and ensure that the product does in fact have DHA and EPA in it, in high concentrations.
One is for sure...no matter how you get it, Omega 3 fish oil can do wonders for your health!
David Bloom is a health enthusiast and contributor to many sites. He is the author of The Benefits of Fish Oil, a section of Nutritional Supplements dedicated to the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids. |
