Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health
When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What many do not realize is that there are bad fats and good fats. Completely avoiding oils and fats would be detrimental to their health.
The Truth about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids should always be consumed as part of our daily diet since without them we are not as healthy. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.
Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. You can find Omega-6 EFAs in vegetable oils and you can find omega-3 EFAs in fish oils and other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Scientists and doctors share the opinion that the increase of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, premature aging, obesity,and certain cancers are caused by an imbalanced intake of the essential omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As previously mentioned, omega-6 EFAs are present in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. A study in the early 1970s involving Greenland Eskimos showed that a large reason they rarely had heart diseases was due to the high fat diet consumed which was mainly composed of fish.
The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Additional Fish Oil Benefits
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is certainly the most important part of the body and when the heart is diseased it can mean a limited lifespan. Keeping out hearts healthy is in our best interests, and a good way of doing that is by eating food that contains fish oil.
In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. Results revealed that those who consumed larger amounts of fish had lower C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, factors commonly used to measure blood vessel inflammation. Even when these risks which were associated with high fish diets were taken into account, these benefits remained.
Fish to Become Thin
A study in Perth, Australia showed fish consumption could be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers at the University of Western Australia found that a weight loss diet that included fish consumption was very effective in improving glucose tolerance and reducing blood pressure.
Fish Oil and Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. Certain studies have shown the vast benefits of fish oil for individuals burdened with asthma. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoletic acid content as the reason behind it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. The results shows that participants who consumed more fish were able to breathe more easily and were less prone to asthma attachs as well.
Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status. Give fish oil a try and see the benefits to your health. You can try fish oil for free and discover for yourself if it works for you.