Taking Fish Oil Supplements? – Which Are the Best?
Filed Under Antioxidant, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
Fish oil supplements provide polyunsaturated fatty acids known as omega3s, which are essential to human health. But, not every fish oil supplement provides the same amount of omega3s. The label does not always reflect the amount that is in each capsule. Consumers can easily become confused.
This article should help clear up some of that confusion. Think of it is a shopping guide. It should help you find the safest and most effective fish oil supplements on the market. Either the label or the information on the manufacturer’s website should answer these questions.
What is the Omega3 Content?
The typical fish oil supplement contains 1000mg of oil in a gelatin capsule. The percent of omega3s that is present varies greatly, depending upon the species of fish that the oils are derived from and even the season of the year, during which the catch was made.
The manufacturer should list the minimum amount that will be present in each capsule. The better ones provide at least 500mg of omega3 fatty acids per capsule. You need to look at the label carefully, because some manufacturers list the amount that is provided by 2 capsules, a commonly recommended dosage.
What is the DHA Content?
Of all of the omega3s, we know the most about DHA. A fish oil supplement should provide a minimum of 260mg of DHA per capsule or 520mg per daily dose.
Studies have shown that DHA lowers triglycerides more effectively than EPA, the other well known omega3. It has a high degree of anti-inflammatory activity and is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain.
Fish oil supplements that provide a high dose of DHA can help relieve depression, improve ADHD and possibly protect the brain from age-related Alzheimer’s and dementia. Studies concerning that are currently being conducted in Canada.
What Are the Company’s Standards for Purity and Freshness?
A fish oil supplement may contain mercury and cancer-causing PCBs. There are no world-wide regulations concerning the amount of contaminants that may be present in a capsule. The better companies voluntarily adhere to the standards set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the International Fish Oil Standards or their own higher standards.
Manufacturers that adhere to the highest standards have their each batch of fish oil supplements tested for impurities and publish that information on their websites. Freshness can be measured by measuring the amount of oxidation that has occurred. Oils with a high degree of oxidation will cause fishy tasting burps and increase your intake of free radicals, a cause of cellular aging.
What is the Anti-inflammatory Activity?
A fish oil supplement that contains a combination of natural triglycerides and concentrated esters has more anti-inflammatory activity, according to recent studies. So, if you are hoping to reduce pain and stiffness in your joints or simply reduce the effects that chronic inflammation has on the cells of our bodies, you want to look for that winning combination.
The best fish oil supplements provide numerous health benefits to the heart, brain and all of the systems of the body. Now, you know how to do your comparative shopping.
What Does Fish Oil Do For Your Health?
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Blood Pressure, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
What does fish oil do? That might seem like a simple question, but the truth is that we really don’t know everything that there is to know about it, yet. Researchers are still looking at “how” it works. But, there are some questions that we can answer.
There are numerous benefits associated with increasing your intake of omega3 fatty acids, which is what you find in fatty fish. It is also beneficial to reduce your intake of omega6 fatty acids and saturated fats, which are found in cooking oils, butter, dairy products, meats and egg yolks.
The best diets do provide some omega6 fatty acids, particularly linolenic acid, because it is essential to human health. It is simply that most people’s diets are too high in omega6 and too low in omega three. Saturated and trans-fatty acids are not essential to the human diet. So, you could leave those out entirely, if you wanted.
Benefits have been seen in various parts of the body. So, here’s a look at some of those.
What does fish oil do for the heart and circulatory system?
It acts as an anti-coagulant, preventing the formation of clots. It has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which in turn may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, because HDL particles pick up the smaller LDL particles and carry them back to the liver for reprocessing.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and have some degree of anti-inflammatory activity. A recent study showed that some fish oils have more anti-inflammatory activity than others. Natural hoki oils seem to be at the top of the list. Inflammation plays a role in atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
What does fish oil do for the brain and nervous system?
The brain is primarily composed of fatty acids. The most abundant fatty acid in the brain is an omega 3 called DHA. DHA is not found in vegetable oils or plants. It is found in some kinds of marine algae. Strict vegans should choose a marine algae supplement rather than flax seed. Research has proven that flax seed supplements do not increase circulating levels of DHA.
Low blood levels of DHA are associated with depression and anxiety. Lack of these fatty acids, or an imbalance in the diet, may play a role in Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases. The nerves are surrounded by a sheath or membrane. 60% of that membrane is DHA.
What does fish oil do for the joints, skin, vision and digestive system?
Because of its anti-inflammatory activity, it is beneficial for arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, acne and inflammatory bowel diseases. The retina, a part of the eye that gathers light and transmits signals to the brain, is composed primarily of DHA.
Supplementation may be beneficial for preventing cataracts and age-related muscular degeneration. It is well known that the supplements prevent and relieve constipation.
What does fish oil do for the immune system?
That’s a new field of study. It seems that it may help prevent allergies and asthma. The benefit to the heart is most well known. Just remember, when you are buying supplements that all of them are not the same. Choose wisely.
Valerie Rosenbaum says taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Does-Fish-Oil-Do-For-Your-Health?&id=2307621
The Best Fish Oil Supplements – What to Look For
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | 1 Comment
Identifying the best fish oil supplements does not need to be difficult. Some manufacturers provide the necessary information. It is all included in the Certificate of Analysis.
The Certificate of Analysis or COA is an evaluation conducted by an independent laboratory to check for contaminants, oxidation and omega3 content. If all manufacturers posted the result of that analysis on their websites, it would be easy to compare. But, most manufacturers fear what you would learn.
Mercury, dioxins and PCBs are some of the things that they don’t want you to know about. Oxidized or rancid oils are another.
Oxidation or spoilage begins as soon as the fish are pulled out of the water. If they are not properly stored or if they are left on the dock to rot in the sun, the level of oxidation becomes extremely high. Oxidation is responsible for those fishy tasting burps that you get. The best fish oil supplements don’t cause them. The manufacturer guarantees it.
Some manufacturers believe that a little bit of heavy metals like mercury and cancer-causing dioxins won’t hurt you. But, in the purest oils, there are no detectable levels of those contaminants. The COA proves it.
When it comes to the omega3 content, the COA will show how much total omega3s are present in each capsule, as well as individual amounts of DHA, EPA and DPA. DHA is essential for the growth and functional development of the human brain. It is required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults. Its absence in the diet leads to learning deficits and depression.
DHA deficiencies are also associated with Attention Deficit Disorder, cystic fibrosis, aggressive behavior, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s. It has a positive effect on high blood pressure, arthritis, type II diabetes and some types of cancer. So, obviously, the best fish oil supplements contain large amounts of DHA.
EPA has proven benefits in heart disease and inflammatory disorders. DPA is believed to contribute to overall cardiovascular health. Research is currently ongoing concerning these other two essential fatty acids. But, the benefits of DHA have been well understood for quite some time.
The best fish oil supplements provide at least 280mg of DHA per capsule, at least 120mg of EPA and at least 50mg of DPA. The total omega 3 content in 1000mg of oil is 500mg. Some manufacturers do not list the omega 3 content and most do not break it down into individual omega3s. Of those that do, only a few have an independent COA to back up their statements.
The benefits to your health will be numerous if you select an excellent supplement. One of the first things that you should notice is an improved ability to concentrate. If you’ve been feeling a little depressed, you should notice an improvement in your mood. If your joints feel a little achy, you should notice greater flexibility.
Those are just some of the things that people have noticed when they buy and take the best fish oil supplements. Now, you know how to find yours.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends after extensive research: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
How Much Fish Oil Should I Take?
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
If you asked, “how much fish oil should I take?” You might get a number of different answers. There is no well established daily dosage, although for adults the minimum daily requirement for omega3 fatty acids is currently set at 1100mg. In order to get that, the amount of fish oil that you should take depends on the brand and the omega3 content.
Many people think that 1000mg of fish oil provides 1000mg of omega3 fatty acids. That is not the case. The oils are a blend of polyunsaturated fatty acids that include omega-3, 6 and 9.
Most people get plenty of omega6 in their diets, because it is found in cooking oils. The value of omega9s in the diet has not been established. It is known that an imbalance of omega6 to omega3 causes a variety of health problems.
In the better supplements, at least 50% of the fat in the capsule is omega3. So, in order to get close to the minimum daily requirement, you would need to take two gel caps. Below, you will see the answers to a few other questions.
How much fish oil should I take if I have arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition. Inflammation is involved in other health problems and plays a role in aging. A number of different studies have found that omega3 supplementation provides benefit for people that suffer from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
The amount used in the studies varied from 1000-3000mg per day given over the course of 3-4 months. A dose of 2000mg per day is generally recognized as safe and well-tolerated. You would need to check with your doctor about taking more. If diarrhea or nausea occurs, you should reduce the daily dose.
How much fish oil should I take if I have high cholesterol?
In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, omega3s can help lower LDL cholesterol by increasing HDL. LDL particles are small. They get stuck on the interior of the arterial walls. HDL particles are larger. They pick up the LDL and carry them back to the liver. Two gel caps per day, should be sufficient for an adult.
How much fish oil should I take if I suffer from depression or anxiety?
When it comes to depression, anxiety and other conditions that involve the brain, it is the DHA content that is most important. DHA is a specific omega3 fatty acid. The amount that is in a supplement could be very low.
Studies that showed benefit in depression used 500mg of DHA per day. You would need to check the label of the product that you intend to buy. The better supplements provide at least 250mg of DHA per capsule. So, once again, only 2 gel caps per day would be necessary.
How much fish oil should I take to protect the health of my heart?
Protecting the long-term health of your heart is the biggest benefit of an omega3 supplement. We do not know exactly how much is needed to achieve that benefit. Healthy diet and exercise are once again, essential. Most supplement manufacturers recommend 2 gel caps per day.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends after extensive research: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
Fish Oil and Cholesterol – Omega 3′s Help Increase HDL Levels!
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Blood Pressure, Cancer, Cholesterol, Fish Oil Supplements, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
Numerous scientific studies have been conducted concerning fish oil and cholesterol. These have consisted of both animal and human studies. Researchers measured a 4% average increase in HDL cholesterol levels, in one of the most recent studies.
As you may or may not be aware, HDL particles are good. Years ago, total cholesterol was believed to be a primary risk factor for heart disease. Now, it is known that LDL particles are the problem.
LDL particles are smaller than HDL. They stick to the arterial walls, becoming oxidized and hardened. This causes inflammation of the arteries, which further narrows them. Eventually, a hardened clump can break away, forming a clot that can cause a heart attack or a stroke. If that does not occur, the accumulation can eventually reach a point where blood flow is completely blocked. That causes a heart attack, too.
Doctors began to look at the connection between fish oil and cholesterol, because of observational studies. The Western diet has now spread to most areas of the world, but at one time it was possible to observe the traditional diets of isolated natives.
The traditional Eskimo diet was very high in fat, but the incidence of heart disease was very low and very few people were overweight. Those observations were made years ago, but it made researchers curious about the difference between good dietary fats and bad ones.
Today, we know that saturated and trans-fatty acids are bad for our health. They play no role in the body and are unnecessary in the diet. Omega6s and omega3s, however, are essential to the diet. They perform a variety of roles in the human body. They also balance each other out.
So, researchers began to look at fish oil and cholesterol, because the Eskimo diet was rich in fatty fish like salmon and because the omega3 to omega6 ratio is unlike that found in any other type of fat. In most oils and fats, there are far more omega6s than omega3s. In corn oil, for example, there are 40 times more omega6s than omega3s. The ratio is 40:1. Canola oil has the best ratio of 1:1.
Fish oil contains far more omega3s than omega6s. The ratios vary, depending on the type of fish that is used and the way that the supplement is processed, but in the better oils, 4% or less is omega6, while 50% or more is omega3. That means that the ratio looks like this 4:50. Other oils are good source of omega3s, but there is nothing like that which comes from fatty fishes.
The connection between fish oil and cholesterol is understandable, particularly in the typical Western diet. It isn’t a miracle drug. We still need to watch what we eat and exercise regularly, but it is one of the best supplements that we can take for our health.
Just be sure that the supplement you choose is of the highest purity and provides at least 500mg of omega3 fatty acids per capsule. If the news spreads about fish oil and cholesterol reduction, we could see an end to hazardous statin drugs. One can always hope.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends after extensive research: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
