Fish Oil For Good Health
|It has been a while since we last published on a specialist topic when it comes to a food product. One thing that has piqued our interest is fish oil. Some of us, myself included, have remembered taking fish oil in liquid form as kids. As adults, we now get the chance to explore how good it actually is in this article, which was kindly shared with us by an expert on the topic. Enjoy.
“When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental rather than beneficial – to their health. Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: Omega-6 EFAs and Omega-3 EFAS.
Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that excessive intake of Omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumour growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for Omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while Omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs. As mentioned earlier on, Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contain high amounts of linoleic acid.
Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos has revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).
The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial. The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.
In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers at UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.”
We hope you enjoyed the article. We know that we certainly did, as it provided some clarity to the question we had always wondered about as a child. Speaking of nutrition, it would be a wise idea to get a copy of the Strategic Nutrition Guide, which is also available as part of the Granite Fitness Masterclass.
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