Over the centuries, health experts have found that taking vitamins and supplements can improve certain health conditions. Before the age of modern pharmaceuticals, healers used naturally occurring substances to help cure people.
Their treatments often came from a variety of natural sources, such as foods, plants and herbs. Healers understood that certain substances could help people with their wellness.
Fish oil is one of those substances that help with a variety of health conditions. Learn all about the benefits of fish oil by reading the answers to these questions:
What is in fish oil that makes it so important?
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with the 2 most important being eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
How is fish oil supplement produced?
Fish oil supplements are made from mackeral, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber and seal blubber. It might also be combined with calcium, iron, and Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 or D.
What can a fish oil supplement help with?
Fish oil is most often used for conditions related to the heart and blood system. It can be used to help lower blood pressure or triglyceride levels and prevent heart disease and stroke. It is often thought of as ‘brain food’ as it is believed to help with depression, psychosis, Alzheimers and other thinking conditions. It also benefits dry eyes, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Fish oil is also used to help with joint problems, diabetes, asthma, obesity, kidney disease and osteoporosis.
How does fish oil help?
Omega-3 fatty acids reduce pain and swelling. They also prevent the blood from clotting easily, which is why it is so beneficial to anything related to heart conditions.
Why do I need to take a fish oil supplement?
Since the body does not produce its own omega-3 fatty acids and cannot make it from the Western diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids, fish oil either needs to be consumed in large quantities of fish products or taken as a supplement.
Any special considerations?
Fish oil is important especially for those with heart conditions, but since the protein, selenium and iodine have been removed from the supplemental oil, it is still vital to eat cold-water fish at least 3 times per week.
Any risks with taking fish oil supplements?
Due to a possible risk for toxicity, excess bleeding and poor wound healing, fish oil supplements should only be taken under the direction of a physician. High doses can also impact the immune system, making it difficult to fight infection. This might impact people who have had organ transplants. Fish oil might also interfere with other prescription medicine.
How much is safe to take?
For most people, taking 3 grams of fish oil supplement or less is recommended. For comparison, a typical 3 1/2 ounce serving of most fish contains 1 gram of fish oil.
Just like with any supplement, vitamin or herb, a physician or medical care provider should always be consulted before taking anything new. Some medications can be affected by taking a fish oil supplement, while others may be allergic to it.
Sources:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fish-oil-capsules-used-for-6946.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-6_fatty_acid
http://www.thefitnessagency.ie/the-importance-of-fish-oils/
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