Promotes Cardiovascular Health & Protects Against Heart Attacks and Stroke

Fish oil continues to increase in scientific credibility as a significant component to heart health. According to statements from the American Heart Association, fish oil is effective in lessening the incidence of heart disease and helps to reduce risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Clinical studies of heart attack survivors have found that daily fish oil supplements dramatically minimize the risk of dying, subsequent heart attacks and stroke. Omega-3s also lower blood triglycerides, help correct abnormal heart rhythms, and can help prevent and treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting the formation of plaque and blood clots, which often clog arteries.

Lessens Inflammation/Pain

Omega-3s have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Lab studies suggest that diets high in omega-3s (and low in the inflammatory omega-6s) may benefit people with inflammation-based conditions — anything that ends in –itis!. Omega-3s have also been used to effectively treat neck, back and menstrual pain, helping study patients to reduce their consumption of NSAID medication.

Ensures Healthy Joints and Lessens Arthritis Symptoms

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil reduce joint tenderness, pain intensity and morning stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis.  In fact, many lab studies have found that omega-3s actually decrease the activity of enzymes that break down cartilage. At least 13 published clinical trials have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are highly effective at treating rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil has helped people with RA to reduce their dependence on pain medicine.

Enhances Mental Acuity & Long-Term Cognitive Function

Are you aware that omega-3s, especially DHA, are highly prevalent in the brain? They’re important for optimum cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral functioning, as well as proper growth and development. Studies demonstrate that omega-3s may aid in achieving adequate cognitive functioning and possibly in preventing or delaying the emergence of Alzheimer’s disease. We also now know that it’s very important that pregnant women get enough DHA, which is essential to the developing fetus — during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, the fetus’ brain grows at a rate of 250,000 new neurons every 60 seconds!  Kids are also helped by omega-3 consumption, as myriad studies show that omega-3s enhance learning, focus, vocabulary and reading skills. Countless studies have even shown benefits in treating ADHD.

Produces Happy Mood & Emotional Wellness

In nations where fish makes up a significant part of the diet, national rates of depression are lower. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that studies have discovered that fish oil  supplements can alleviate the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis. Many studies have shown that people who took fish oil in addition to prescription anti-depressants had a larger improvement in symptoms than those that only took antidepressants, with patients experiencing a stabilizing effect and less mood swings. Research has also demonstrated that, when those in prison were given fish oil, there was a drastic drop in violent behavior. Omega-3s also seem to reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

Promotes Eye Wellness

Studies show that people with a greater omega-3 consumption seem to have a lower risk of Dry-Eye Syndrome and developing macular degeneration. Preliminary research also shows that omega-3 supplements aid in
lessening dry eye symptoms, may help to inhibit macular degeneration for those already developing it and improves eye health in general.

Pregnancy, Infancy Brain/Eye Development & Less Incidence of Childhood Disorders

DHA makes up 15-20% of our cerebral cortex and about 30-60% of the retina, so it is absolutely essential for normal development of the fetus and baby. Prenatal DHA availability also seems to lessen likelihood
of childhood allergies and have an effect on motor skill quality, cognitive development and hyperactivity/behavior later in the life of
the child. Omega-3s also assist in lowering the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

Promotes Optimal Metabolism of Fat and Weight Loss

According to the National Institute of Health, omega-3s trigger “I’m full” signals to the brain and help quash hunger signals. Research has also demonstrated that fish oil improves the effectiveness of exercise in reducing weight. Volunteers who were alloted fish oil with their diet showed greater decreases in weight as compared to those who did not consume fish oil. Exercise along with fish oil had a positive effect on the body shape and body composition of the patients.

Lowers Chance of Breast, Prostate & Colorectal Cancers

Though additional research in this area is desperately needed, we now are aware that the omega 3’s that appear in fish oil help in the prevention and treatment of breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. Preliminary studies imply that consuming fish oil daily can help retard the progression of colon cancer in those with early stages of the disease and may possibly have the ability to cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancerous cells.

More can be said with regards to the many fish oil benefits. And, as the science community and health professionals continue to examine omega-3s, you can bet that fish oil will keep producing news as the ideal source of these essential fatty acids that are so essential to our bodies.
Even if you’re currently in great physical condition, a high quality fish oil supplement is the simplest, safest way to realize and maintain optimal health!

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and wellness authority, with particular expertise with Omega-3 Fish Oil.

The food pyramid also indicates the number of servings you should have from each food category per day. Normally, the age and the level of activity also have a word to say in the portion size, but the body weight counts a lot here too. Fat should be taken from eggs, meat and dairy products and it ought to be 30% of your diet at the maximum. There are also unsaturated fats that are a lot healthier, and this is the case with olive oil, nuts and peanuts.

Another group of foods in the food pyramids are sugars that come with the highest level of calories and the lowest nutritional value. Avoid jellies, jams and soft drinks, and try to replace sugar with honey for instance. As long as your diet is balanced, there shouldn’t be any problem.

Dairy products are a great source of vitamins, minerals and protein and kids need them more than anything else. Cheese, milk and yogurt should be part of your children’s daily diet. Avoid ice-cream and fat cheese.

Protein coming from lean meat are also important, but we need to emphasize the fact that you should not eat the skin or replace a natural chicken breast with a hamburger. Stay away from junk food because it is poison for your body. Moderation is once again the best way to stay on the safe side and provide no nutrients in excess.

As for vitamins, they usually come from fruit and vegetables. Vitamin A and C, as well as magnesium, iron and fiber can be taken from leafy greens more than from other sources. It is important to eat a variety of vegetables in order to get all the nutrients necessary for the optimal body functioning. This being said, it only remains for you to put into practice the tips available with the food pyramid.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in fish oil. Kids, like adults, should have a minimum intake of Omega3 fats for healthy development and this is now being highlighted by a new study by Associate Professor Barbara Meyer from the University of Wollongong’s School of Health Sciences in Australia. This study has found that children in Australia are highly deficient in omega 3. Children in America will be exactly the same.

In this study it was found that 3 year old children had an average intake of omega 3 essential fats of 47 milligrams and the professor who undertook the study described this intake as “desperately low”.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are the 2 most important essential fatty acids found in fish oil known as Omega 3. Kids in the US, as well as Australia, have levels of these essential fatty acids that are way too low. The deficiency of omega 3 in children has a range of health implications for our kids.

A child’s requirement for omega 3 fats starts right at conception. The study noted that brain development was extremely fast during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and that for adequate brain development an adequate level of DHA was essential. And it also noted that the first 2 years of infancy was equally important for brain development and placed an equal demand on DHA levels.

Children are unable to supplement their diets. This is a decision made by their parents. Parents ought seriously consider increasing their own intake of Omega3 fats as well as increasing the intake in their children of fish oil. Kids health depends upon the decisions made by their parents.

And it’s not just the brain development of our children that is negatively affected by a low intake of Omega 3. Kids have a range of other developmental and health issues, all of which can benefit from increasing their intake of fish oil. Kids with inadequate levels of omega 3 have a higher risk of asthma, slower brain development, slower visual development, in some cases lower IQ and also an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as other health issues.

Clearly there are serious issues involved when considering the supplementation of omega 3 in children. This can be achieved by increasing their intake of fish however there are various issues associated with this including mercury contamination, the price of fish and the well known dislike of fish by children.

I have been supplementing the diet of my children with omega 3 cost effectively and simply. I use the best Omega 3 capsules (which I take myself) and cut the top off and pour the fish oil onto their breakfast and they are unaware it is there.

The decisions of parents about what their children eat are important ones affecting the development of their children. Omega 3 supplementation is cost effective and simple and is important right from the conception of the child. Even during breastfeeding omega 3 supplementation by mothers increases the amount of DHA available to the infant in the breastmilk.

However not all Omega 3 capsules are as good as others. There are many issues relating to the quantity of DHA present in the capsules, the freshness of the fish oil used, (fish oil oxidizes quickly) and the effectiveness of the fatty acids.

On my website I explain which omega 3 capsules I use for my own children (and myself). Visit my website to find out.