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
Benefits of Fish Oil Are Paramount!
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Cancer, Cholesterol, Fish Oil Supplements, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
Many of the benefits of fish oil are due to its anti-inflammatory activity. A recent study indicates that some fish oils have more anti-inflammatory activity than others and it is not directly related to the omega3 concentration. For many years, it was believed that the omega3 content was the only important nutrient in the oils. But, it seems that there is an “X-factor.”
Omega3 fatty acids are beneficial to our health in many ways and most people don’t get enough in their diet. People that stick with the typical Western diet (lots of beef, bread and potatoes) get way to much omega6s and little if any omega3s.
Without enough omega3s, our brains and eyes start to suffer. Our joints start to ache. We may suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and lupus. So, many diseases are related to the diet. If the mainstream medical community really wanted to do something good for people’s health, they would tell them exactly what and what not to eat.
Omega6s contribute to inflammation. Omega3s modulate inflammation. So, for many years, the anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oil were attributed to the omega3 content. Now, we have a little evidence to indicate that there is something else in those oils.
Fishermen in the cold North Atlantic were the first ones that began to take a daily dose of fish oil to ease their aching joints. Modern-day studies have shown that there is benefit for reducing morning stiffness and pain after 2-3 months of supplementation.
The latest study compared the anti-inflammatory activity of natural, non-concentrated, non-distilled, oils to those of an ester concentrate. Then the anti-inflammatory activity of a combination type that was 50% concentrate and 50% natural oil was compared. The combination product had twice the anti-inflammatory activity of the concentrate, alone, even though the omega3 concentration was reduced. That’s why researchers say there is an X-factor, something that has yet to be identified.
It could simply be that the natural triglyceride contains all of the different omega3s (DHA, EPA, and DPA) in exactly the right combination. The reason for adding the concentrate is to insure that there is a large enough omega3 content to be beneficial for the health of the brain and eyes.
We may not know everything that there is to know about the inflammation fighting abilities, but we do know that an omega 3 called DHA is essential to the brain, both during childhood and throughout life. Low levels of DHA in the bloodstream are present in people that suffer from depression, anxiety and other neurological conditions. DHA is the most abundant fatty acid found in the retina of the eye. So, it is essential for good vision, throughout life.
Omega3s have antioxidant activity, as well. Researchers believe that they may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. That’s why omega3 content is important and that’s why the better manufacturers insure that each capsule will provide the full benifits of fish oil. They do that by combining a concentrate with that which comes from nature.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the single 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
The Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements Are Manifest!
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Blood Pressure, Cancer, Cholesterol, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
There are benefits of fish oil supplements to all of the bodily systems and every cell of the body. Apparently, fish is a food that people were meant to eat, in relatively large quantities. During the low-fat diet craze, people shied away from salmon and other fatty fish, because the total grams of fat were too high.
Turns out, those were good fats. As it also turns out, the low fat diets did not always insure healthy cholesterol levels. Lowering the intake of simple carbohydrates like breads, rice and sugar, while increasing the intake of good omega3 fats seems to help more than anything else.
Fatty fish are rich in omega3 fats, which are long chain fatty acids. In the blood, they make up high density lipoproteins or HDL cholesterol. HDL performs all off the necessary cholesterol functions, such as transporting hormones and nutrients to other cells of the body. It also performs another role. When it encounters low density lipoproteins or LDL cholesterol, it picks it up and carries it back to the liver.
So, one of the benefits of fish oil supplements is to correct cholesterol imbalances, increasing HDL levels and decreasing LDL levels. That is beneficial to the health of the heart and the cardiovascular system. But, that’s not all.
Fish oil acts as a natural anti-coagulant. It prevents blood platelets from sticking together. This further reduces your risk of heart attack, as well as stroke. Supplementation could be beneficial for people with varicose veins. In people with type II diabetes, it could reduce the risk of the complications that often accompany the disease.
There are benefits of fish oil supplements for people that suffer from depression or anxiety. There has been noted improvement in kids that suffer from ADHD. These effects are due to a specific omega 3 called Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA.
DHA levels in the bloodstream are known to be lower in people that suffer from depression. DHA is a major component of healthy brain and nerve cells. Of the total mass of the brain, about 40% is DHA. That explains why fish is called brain food and why people that don’t eat it suffer from a variety of ailments.
Other benefits of fish oil supplements are purely “cosmetic”. Research has shown that three months of supplementation improves the skin’s firmness by 10%. Researchers have suggested that it is beneficial for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. Essential fatty acids are one of the components of the skin’s sebum. Excessive dryness may be relieved by increasing your omega3 intake.
Those are just some of the highlights. Suffice to say that it is good for your health. Just be sure to compare supplements carefully. Choose one that provides at least 500mg of omega3s per capsule. Only buy from companies that guarantee purity and freshness. If you don’t want fishy tasting burps, freshness is a must.
We can’t rely entirely on the benefits of fish oil supplements, of course. Healthy diet and regular exercise are still two of the keys to good health.
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
Protect Your Eyesight With the Right Anti Aging Supplements!
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Cancer, Enteric Coating, Lutein, Main Content, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
Increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is often recommended for supporting eye health and preventing age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. But, what are lutein and zeaxanthin and what causes those eye diseases? Let’s take a look.
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens, within the eye, or the envelope that holds the lens in place. Cataracts may be caused by trauma, high blood pressure, diabetes, advanced age and UV rays from the sun. To prevent the condition, diet and lifestyle are factors. For example, cataracts are more common among smokers. Wearing UV blocking sunglasses may be beneficial, particularly if you fly or spend a great deal of time outdoors.
When it comes to diet, higher intakes of carotenoids are negatively associated with the condition. In other words, people that eat more fruits and vegetables are less likely to develop cataracts with age.
Carotenoids are pigments responsible for the vibrant colors of plant foods. They are either carotenes or xanthophylls. Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophylls.
Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Unlike cataracts, which are relatively easy to treat by removing and replacing the crystalline lens, there is no effective treatment for AMD, but it may be preventable.
The macula is an area in the retina that is responsible for central vision. The retina is connected to the brain via the optic nerve. Images of the things that are in front of you appear on the retina, as they would on a movie screen. The image is transmitted to the brain. That’s how we recognize the things and people that we see.
Regular eye exams reveal changes that can lead to AMD. For example, yellow deposits form on the macula long before vision is affected. When these changes are seen, people may be able to slow or stop the progression of the disease by making changes in their diet and lifestyle, and by increasing their intake of xanthophylls. When the yellow deposits are seen by and optometrist or ophthalmologist, he or she will often recommend lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, because studies have shown they reduce the risk of blindness in people that have AMD.
Xanthophylls make up the retina. They absorb high energy blue light which is believed to be one of the causes of AMD and cataracts. UV rays of sunlight are invisible. High energy blue light is visible sunlight. Some exposure to the sun is healthy, but overexposure plays a role in both of these eye diseases, as well as skin cancer, wrinkles and the visible signs of aging.
Many optometrists and ophthalmologists recommend increased nutrient intake to all of their patients, either by making dietary changes or by taking supplements. If you are like most people, you try to eat five servings of vegetable every day, as well as a variety of fruits and berries, but no diet is perfect. Nutritional supplements are an easy way to insure that you are getting enough lutein, zeaxanthin, and other carotenoids on a daily basis.
Valerie Rosenbaum has spent years researching the claims of anti aging supplements and skin care products to find out which ingredients and products are most effective at slowing or even reversing the aging process. If you are interested in restoring your youthful vigor, healthy organ function and mental acuity then visit her website http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com to learn more.
Preserve Precision Vision With Multi-Nutritional Supplements Containing Carotenoids
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Cancer, Enteric Coating, Lutein, Natural Supplements, Nutritional Supplements, Total Balance Supplements, Zeaxanthin | Leave a Comment
What are the side effects of lutein? What are the benefits? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? You will find the answers to those questions and more in this article.
When researchers evaluate the benefit of drugs, they also look at the risks, in order to establish a risk-benefit ratio. If the benefits outweigh the risks, the drug is typically approved.
While it is not a drug, it is not unusual for people to be concerned that there might be negative side effects of lutein intake. At this time, no negative side effects have been reported by people taking “SAVISION”, “Opti-sharp” or other supplements containing it.
If you are taking a supplement and you have a health complaint, you should report it to your doctor. It is highly unlikely that the supplement is the cause, which means that something else is going on. If you have noticed a decrease in visual acuity, it is important to contact your ophthalmologist right away. It is an absolute surety that the supplement would not cause decreased visual acuity, which again means, something else is going on. The sooner you get treatment, the more effective the treatment will be.
So, what are the benefits or “positive” side effects of lutein? These may be several.
It is a member of the carotenoid family. Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments found in fruits, vegetables and other plants. When nutritionists advise you to eat lots of fruits and vegetables in a wide assortment of colors, it is because of the different carotenoids that each color provides.
At one time, we believed that only beta-carotene, the pre-cursor to vitamin A, responsible for the color of carrots, was essential to the human diet and the health of the eyes. It was also believed that retinol, the animal form of vitamin A, was just as beneficial as beta-carotene, but that was many years ago. Now, we know that retinol can be toxic, because the body can’t get rid of it. Beta-carotene, on the other hand, is converted by the body on an as-needed basis to retinol or vitamin A. Any unneeded amount is simply discarded as waste.
The value of the other carotenoids has only been discovered in recent years. When it comes to the health of the eyes, particularly as we age, two of the most important carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthin.
It is believed that the positive side effects of lutein and zeaxanthin include the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, as well as the formation of cataracts. The benefit of the nutrients for cataract prevention is not as important as wearing sunglasses that filter out UV light or avoiding cigarette smoke. But, for preventing macular degeneration, increased intake of those nutrients is very important, especially for people that have a family history of the disease.
Many ophthalmologists and optometrists suggest the supplements for all of their patients. Luckily, there are multi-nutritional supplements that contain both of these carotenoids, along with beta-carotene and other essential nutrients. So, you won’t have to take lots of different pills.
There’s no need to worry about any negative side effects of lutein. It’s good for you. So, go ahead and take it.
Valerie Rosenbaum has made it her mission to provide the public with information supporting the use of natural and clinically tested ingredients in their anti aging supplements. The best nutritional supplements will include a full complement of over 70 bio-active ingredients to create a healthy balance of nutrients and antioxidants within the body. If you want to look and feel younger then visit http://www.NaturalBalanceSupplements.com to learn more.
