The health benefits of fish oil include its ability to aid in the treatment of various heart diseases, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, ADHD, weakened immune system, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, arthritis, IBD, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, eye disorders, macular degeneration and ulcers. It also helps aid weight loss, healthy pregnancy, fertility and skin care (particularly for conditions such as psoriasis and acne).
Most of the health benefits of fish oil can be attributed to the presence of omega 3 essential fatty acids like Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Other useful essential fatty acids in fish oil include Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and Gamma-linolenic acid or GLA.
While fish oil has plenty of beneficial qualities, there is lot of buzz and hype around its possible applications, and not all of them are accurate, so be wary when reading literature on this useful oil. Fish oil manufacturers have attempted to market it as a remedy for almost anything. Below, we’ll explore the various, proven benefits of fish oil, some of which are based on concrete scientific evidence while others are based on animal studies alone. We suggest that readers educate themselves full before making an informed decision, rather than be affected by both negative and positive propaganda about the beneficial applications of fish oil.
The different types of fish which can be a good source of its oil are mackerel, rainbow trout, lake trout, halibut, herring, sea bass, sardines, swordfish, oysters, albacore tuna, blue fin tuna, yellow fin tuna, turbot, pilchards, anchovies and salmon. The most common ones among these for obtaining oil are albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, lake trout and salmon. The quality of fish oil greatly depends on the type of fish from which you retrieve the oil.
Health Benefits of Fish Oil
The health benefits of fish oil include the following:
Heart Health: According to the American Heart Association (AHA), clinical trials have shown that omega 3 is effective in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Fish oil is a great source of omega 3 and therefore, reduces the risk of heart diseases and heart arrhythmias. It also lowers the level of bad cholesterol (LDL), and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL). Fish oil prevents the accumulation of triglycerides and further reduces the level of excess triglycerides. Preliminary research has also shown that fish oil can be used to prevent atherosclerosis in coronary patients. Thus, fish oil is effective in preventing strokes and regular usage of fish oil can help avoid sudden cardiac death. As per the American Heart Association, these preliminary findings still need to be confirmed by further detailed research.
Weight Loss: It has also been popularized as an aid in losing weight. Research conducted by Professor Peter Howe at the University of South Australia has shown that fish oil improves the efficacy of exercise in attempts to reduce weight. Volunteers who were given fish oil in their diet showed greater weight loss as compared to those who did not regularly consume it. Exercise combined with the oil had a positive effect on body shape and composition of the participating patients.
Improved Immunity: It is believed that regular consumption of fish oil aids in boosting your immune system, thereby enabling you to resist the occurence of common diseases like colds, coughs and the flu. Omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil bolster the immune system by effecting the activity and amount of cytokines and eicosanoids present in our body. Researchers have also studied the effect of fish meal and fish oil on the immune system of pigs and found that fish oil aided in the growth of the animals. Similar research conducted on mice at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, also gave positive results. Basically, fish oil has the potential to enhance the immune system of humans, but again, further research on humans is required. Fish oil is also beneficial to patients suffering from lupus, which is an autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system attacking its own organs and tissues. Studies have also shown fish oil to help in reducing associated fever, skin rashes and fatigue.
AIDS: Research conducted by the Nutritional Sciences Program in Lexington has argued for fish oil as a treatment for AIDS. However, a great deal of research still needs to be conducted on this.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Fish oil is effective in reducing inflammation in the blood and tissues. Regular consumption of fish oil supplements, tablets, pills and capsules is helpful to those who suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases. Fish oil is effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders, Celiac disease, short bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, which are both typical disorders of the intestine. Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease often find it difficult to absorb vitamins, fats and essential supplements. Fish oil supplements are an effective diet for such patients.
In terms of ulcerative colitis, fish oil prevents the accumulation of leukotriene on the colon. Research is also being conducted to increase the anti-inflammatory reputation of fish oil, particularly when combined with other dietary supplements and drugs.
Arthritis: Fish oil is useful in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, Raynaud’s symptoms and similar conditions. Using fish oil can help in reducing the need for large dosages of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of Newcastle, both of which are located in Australia, have reported that large quantities of fish oil have shown positive effects on the treatment of arthritis. In cases of osteoarthritis, fish oil can be helpful in reducing the impact of enzymes that destroy cartilage.
However, since the dosage of fish oil required for an ideal effect in the improvement of a patient is unknown, the Arthritis Center in the Department of Rheumatology at John Hopkins University considers including omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil in the treatment of arthritis as controversial. The University also cautions that arthritis patients must be wary of all the other side effects that can come from using of fish oil. You can read more about arthritis on the webpage of the Arthritis Foundation and the Arthritis Center.
Depression and Anxiety: Due to the presence of Omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil has been promoted for relieving depression, sadness, anxiety, restlessness, mental fatigue, stress, decreased sexual desire, suicidal tendencies and other nervous disorders. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, in their research publication titled “Fish Oils and Bipolar Disorder: A Promising but Untested Treatment”, state that fish oil can be useful in mood stabilization and the treatment of bipolar disorders. It is unsurprising, therefore, that it has been found that countries where fish is frequently eaten have a low incidence of depression. Similarly, research conducted on prisoners has shown that when prisoners were given sea food containing higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids, there was a significant drop in the homicide rate and the frequency of violence. Intake of fish is also a good remedy for depression. Findings of a research study suggests that fish consumption may be beneficial for women’s mental health and reduce risk of developing depression in women.
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