It’s not just brain food essential omega 3 fish
oil has a plethora of additional health benefits...
As a testament to the knowledge that fish is good for us,
children spent years diligently standing in line as large spoonfuls
of cod liver oil were offered up under the watchful eyes of the
dinner ladies.
Although fish oil was taken in the belief that it was good for
everything’, the reality of this was not truly discovered
until quite recently. The omega 3 essential fatty acids found in
oily fish benefit our entire body’s and are called
essential’ because we are unable to sufficiently manufacture
them for our needs. However, although the FSA currently recommends
that at least two portions of oily fish should be consumed per
week, a staggering 70% of the UK don’t eat any oily fish at
all, even though the two main omega 3 essential fatty acids,
eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, are vital
for the efficient function of a number of our bodily processes.
The brain
It is unsurprising that the essential fat, omega 3 DHA, is found
in every cell of the brain when you think that 60% of the brain
itself is composed of lipids. In fact, DHA forms the primary
structural component of brain tissue and acts by improving the
facilitation of chemical signals, or messages, between cells. Low
levels of DHA in the brain have been linked with memory loss
(including Alzheimer’s) and mood swings as well as
depression. Although the exact mechanism of this link is unknown,
it is thought that the deficiency affects cognitive function as
information in the brain is transmitted more slowly.
The heart
Both omega 3 EPA and DHA co-operate in a multitude of
heart-related roles.
Most importantly, EPA helps to prevent the development of
atherosclerosis (arterial plaques). This is the single leading
cause of coronary heart disease: it narrows arterial walls, raising
blood pressure, restricts oxygen flow to the vital organs and can
eventually result in heart attack or stroke. DHA has a beneficial
effect on cholesterol (a high level of which is a risk factor for
atherosclerosis) and may also help to lower blood pressure.
The joints
Omega 3 can help to reduce the inflammation of arthritis and may
possibly help to stop the process that breaks down the cartilage in
the joints of osteoarthritis sufferers.
And more
Omega 3 helps to balance the inflammatory effects of the excess
omega 6 we consume in our modern-day diets. Because inflammation is
the underlying cause of all chronic disease, the anti-inflammatory
effects of omega 3 fatty acids are invaluable against the risks of
diabetes, heart disease and cancer, not to mention other conditions
such as dermatitis (itching, flaky skin), hay fever and asthma.
For those who don’t get oily fish regularly from their
diet or are concerned about the risk of pollutant metals and
dioxins that can be found in fresh fish, pure omega 3 supplements
are an easy and convenient way of getting a high level and the
associated health benefits of pure omega 3.
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