Tag: heart disease

9 Fish Oil Benefits Validated By Clinical Scientists

A huge amount of research indicates that, not only are the benefits of fish oil numerous, some of them are actually very extraordinary! It seems that new research is being written about everyday, as researchers and physicians learn even more about how and why it is so beneficial. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are “good fats” that are necessary for optimal health. They are crucial for human health but the body can’t make them — you must get them from your diet. Here are some proven fish oil benefits that should persuade you to consume more oily,
wild-caught fish and start taking a quality fish oil supplement if you’re not already!

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.

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University Of Fish Oil – Become An Authority On Fish Oil In Less Than 1 Minute

Omega-3 fatty acids might seem like a big scary phrase scientists discuss, but it’s actually very simple. They’re nutrients, like carbs and proteins and the like. The name Omega-3 comes from the shape and type of the molecules that it’s composed of. Like all nutrients, we obtain them from the food that we ingest. Fish is generally where we can get {a great deal|most|much of} our Omega-3 needs; or should I say, where we don’t get our needs. See, most people don’t buy enough fish to get enough Omega 3s. More often, people usually get their Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils.

I realize that most readers might read “fatty acids” and automatically assume that it’s not good for your body, but that’s not the case. In the 1970s, scientists studying the Greenland Inuit people observed that even if they took in significant quantities of fatty acids from the seafood they ate, they had significantly minimal rates of cardiovascular disease. The US FDA finally observed the link between good fatty acids and heart health back in 2004, assigning a “qualified health claim” status to good fatty acids like Omega-3s.

So what makes these Omega-3s so special? Well, Omega-3s are a type of essential fatty acid (EFA). EFAs are vital to our bodies to function properly. That’s the reason they’re called “essential” fatty acids and not optional fatty acids. If we don’t consume sufficient EFAs, we run the risk of heart disease, arthritis, and numerous other chronic ailments. Some studies have also demonstrated that a lack of EFAs could lead to weight gain and depression. EFAs also support brain functioning and proper development, especially in children. You recall how many people say fish is brain food? They’re referring to the EFAs in fish.

There are a few kinds of EFAs, though. There are the Omega-3s which you find particularly in fish, and the Omega-6s which are found in vegetable oils. Anti-inflammatory Omega-3s keep the inflammatory Omega-6s balanced. The best ratio is 1:2, but most diets generally lead to a significant imbalance, with many Americans ingesting a ratio of one Omega-3 per 20 Omega-6s!. This leads to a condition called silent inflammation. There are no symptoms for this until it’s far too late and various chronic diseases start hitting your body, so it’s better to make sure you’re getting enough Omega-3s in your diet. This is where fish oils really make a difference.

There are different types of Omega-3 acids too. You have the EPAs, DHAs and ALAs. Vegetarians usually consume ALAs which are found in flaxseed oil. Your body can only use EPA and DHA, and only converts a very miniscule amount of these ALAs into EPA and DHAs though. Whatever is left turns inflammatory. You’re much better off with EPA and DHA found from fish oils. You’re probably getting more than enough of the inflammatory fatty acids already.

Like I mentioned before, most people don’t consume adequate fish to get an adequate quantity of Omega-3 fatty acids. This is because our diets have become so that we don’t really eat that much fish anymore. Also, we’re going to have to eat a lot of fish to get the amount of Omega-3s we require. Not to mention the risk of toxins in the fish. With modern polluted waters, you can’t ever be positive. Fish oil supplements are a preferred alternative over consuming a massive amount of fish. They’re easy to purchase, and with modern technology, the risk of toxins in omega-3 supplements are very minimal. That is, provided you buy a high quality brand. It will be pricier than the many generic supplements out there, but you pay a premium for purity.

Consuming a necessary amount of Omega-3s is highly necessary to our good health. With the introduction of quality {omega-3 products}, it has never been easier to get your daily dose of Omega-3s.

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert, with particular expertise with Omega-3 Benefits.

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Apples – Crunch Your Way to Healthy Nutrition

There’s no easier way to add a dose of nutrition to your day than by crunching on a tasty apple. You probably first qualified its delightful flavor since a baby, when applesauce introduced you to factual food. And at present, whether it’s a Granny Smith, a McIntosh, or a Red Delicious, you believe of apples since old friends. Grown throughout the world, apples are high inside fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low inside sodium. In short, eating apples is a smart part of a healthy lifestyle.

6 ways apples keep you fit

Regulates your time.

You don’t have to worry about staying common anymore. Whether your problem is visiting the bathroom too often or not often enough, apples can assist.

A British researcher, Dr. D.P Burkitt, believes one of the easiest ways to prevent all sorts of illnesses, is to avoid constipation. He calls the diseases caused by chronic constipation “pressure diseases.” Appendicitis, diverticular diseases, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernias, and even varicose veins be able to each be caused by straining to pass tiny, hard stools.

Simply one apple using its skin contains 4 to 5 grams of fiber – the most valuable nutrient in keeping your bowels working like a well-oiled machine. Keeping yourself regular lacking relying on destructive laxatives possibly will be since simple since replacing that afternoon snack of potato chips or cookies with a crisp, delicious apple. And think of the calories you’ll save. The average apple has about 80 calories even as a serving of chips weighs in at 150 calories and you’ll get about 200 from simply any cookies.

But that’s not each apples can do. They’re also cool for diarrhea, thanks to an ingredient called pectin. This carbohydrate has a congealing reaction inside your intestines that helps firm things up and return you to usual. Applesauce is in reality the finest apple product for diarrhea, since it’s made devoid of the high.-fiber skin. But watch out for extra sugar. Several brands of applesauce dump a truckload of sweeteners into an otherwise healthy food, and too much refined sugar may perhaps make your diarrhea worse.

Keeps your body young.

By these days you know antioxidants be able to protect you from a lot of of the diseases that seem to be a part of aging. Inside detail, so lots of citizens are taking supplements for antioxidant protection that it’s become a multibillion-dollar industry. But the evidence is mounting that complete foods can do extra for you than pills.

When scientists compared a 1,500-milligram vitamin C supplement to one little apple, the results were astounding – the antioxidant values were equal. That means a new apple has more than 15 times the antioxidant strength of the suggested daily dose of vitamin C. And that’s simply for starters. The researchers also found an ordinary apple was able to stop the growth of colon and liver cancer cells in test tubes. Unpeeled apples were especially useful. The question you require to ask yourself: Why waste money on flavorless supplements when you can acquire better antioxidant firepower from a sweet, crunchy fruit?
Cuts your risk of heart infection. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember which food is good for which section of your body. The next time you pick up an apple, examine it cautiously. It’s shaped a bit like a heart – and that must make easier you remember apples are wonderful for your heart.

It’s the magnesium and potassium in apples that make easier regulate your blood pressure and keep your heart beating steadily, and it’s the flavonoid quercetin, a purely occurring antioxidant, that protects your artery walls from harm and keeps your blood flowing smoothly.

In reality adding flavonoid-rich foods like apples to your diet has been technically confirmed to decrease your risk of heart illness. There’s proof of this in a study of Japanese women who ate foods high in quercetin. They were less possible to pay for coronary heart disease than other women and they had reduce levels of full and LDL, or bad, cholesterol.

Strikes at the heart of strokes.

Apples are even a smart choice for helping avoid strokes. Scientists aren’t sure which ingredient inside this multi-talented fruit to credit, but the connection is clear – public who frequently eat apples are less probable to have strokes than citizens who don’t.

Care for your joints.

Inside areas of the world wherever fruits and vegetables make up a large section of the diet, fantastically few public buy arthritis. Compare this to modernized countries where fruits and vegetables have been replaced using quickly, processed food and you’ll discover up to 70 percent of the population suffers from several form of arthritis. Just a coincidence? Not according to nutrition experts. They link this trend in part to boron, a trace mineral lots of plants, including apples, absorb from the soil.

If you eat like most people, you’ll pay for about 1 to 2 milligrams (mg) of boron a day, mostly from non-citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, and nuts. Experts think, however, you require anywhere from 3 to 10 mg a day to affect your risk of arthritis. To improve your boron intake to this level, you’d have to eat extra than nine apples a day.

This is maybe an unreasonable quantity for most citizens, but don’t despair. Pair an apple using other boron-rich foods like some tablespoons of peanut butter and a large handful of raisins, and you’ll not only have a delicious afternoon snack, but you’ll make your joint-saving quota of boron at the same time.
Helps you breathe deeply. Your lungs are beaten each day by cigarette smoke, air pollution, pollen, and other air-borne nasties.

Higher than that perhaps you suffer from asthma, emphysema, or similar lung situation. If all you select to do is take a deep breath, then grab an apple.
A five-year study of extra than 2,500 men from Wales found those who ate five or more apples per week were able to fill their lungs using extra air than men who didn’t eat apples. Experts believe you may be getting some special protection from the antioxidant quercetin. Unfortunately, eating apples be able to’t reverse a lung condition you already have, but you only can add a new line of defense against further hurt.

Pantry pointers

Buy apples that are unbruised, firm, and have terrific color. Take them out of their plastic bag and store them inside your refrigerator – loose in the produce bin or in a paper bag is best. And since they will absorb odors, keep them away from strong-smelling foods like garlic and onions.

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More Vegetables and Fruit Equals a Healthier Heart

You likely already know that you should eat a diet containing a lot of fruits and vegetables. Any kind of vegetables or fruits that you add will have health benefits. However, when it comes to heart health, some are more beneficial than others.

Among the most nutritious vegetable families are leafy greens and cruciferous. Skip the iceberg lettuce, and look for those that are dark green in color. This indicates that there are more nutrients packed inside that are good for your heart. Other important vegetables are cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and kale.

Your best choices in fruit are from the citrus family. Fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits are the best choices for your heart. You’ll get the most benefit if you eat the whole fruit in its fresh form. But fruit juice also contains nutrients that are healthful.

Most people have between one and three servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This is nowhere near the recommended five servings that’s a bare minimum. Even better is to eat seven to nine servings. However, don’t try to go from one serving to nine all at once. Slowly introduce greater quantities into your usual eating habits. Here are some tips to help you sneak in extra servings throughout the day.

If you have eggs in the morning, mix in some veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers or onions. Drink some fruit juice with your toast and coffee. Make up a smoothie containing whole fruit that you can take with you as you head out the door. Or add some fruit to your cereal.

At lunch, include lots of veggies on your sandwich like lettuce, sprouts, and tomatoes. A bowl of vegetable soup counts as a serving. Eat a small salad along with your main course, or make the salad itself the entree. Try topping your salad with some fruit for extra flavor and nutrients.

If vegetables are already a staple of your evening meal, try adding an extra serving to your plate. If you’re not eating a vegetable with dinner at all, make a point of adding one. A tasty way to add more vegetables to your meal are by making hearty soups and stews. Or start each meal with a small salad.

You don’t have to make major changes to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet. Simply add a serving here or there. It won’t be long before you’re getting what you need for optimal heart wellness.

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Fast Food, Healthy Heart

A lot of individuals eat on the run in today’s fast-paced society. You’re usually better off eating at home rather than dining in a restaurant. However, you can still make healthy choices when you’re eating fast food. Keep these guidelines in mind as you choose your next fast food meal.

A lot of fast food franchises are well aware of the poor reputation that fast food has for clogging up the arteries. To meet the challenge, they have introduced many food choices that are better for you. For instance, many fast food chains now have salads on the menu. All the same, look out for the saturated fat in the dressing. And if your salad comes complete with deep fried chicken on top, you can be sure it’s not as heart healthy as the one featuring grilled chicken.

For your sandwich, opt for grilled chicken over fried. And you can’t go wrong by requesting extra vegetables on your sandwich. Ketchup and mustard are better choices for a dressing because of their lower saturated fat content.

Choose fruit or salad as a side dish rather than fries. This will fill your lunch with vitamins and fiber rather than saturated fat. Instead of soda, pick juice or milk to drink with your meal. This can aid in maintaining normal blood sugar and give you additional vitamins and minerals.

When you’re truly craving a hamburger and fries, it’s ok to give in once in a while. However, watch out for the size of the serving. A number of fast food establishments give you portion sizes that are enough for a couple of meals. Choosing a kid’s meal or a small burger with french fries will help to hold down the amount of saturated fat you consume.

If you’re giving your kids fast food, don’t forget that there are often healthy choices like apple slices and mandarin oranges available. You can also choose milk or juice rather than soda.

In a Mexican fast food place, you can eat surprisingly healthfully by choosing a simple taco or burrito. By loading it up with lots of veggies, you’ll be able to raise the fiber content. Although a taco salad might seem healthy, it’s often laden with saturated fat and calories.

Choosing fast food for the majority of your meals can take its toll on your heart health when you don’t make good choices. Your best option is to eat at home. However, if that’s not feasible, why not try the “better for you” choices that are out there.

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