Fish Oil Benefits
You keep hearing about it. From the news, your significant other and/or your co-worker, everyone keeps telling you, you have to start taking fish oil or omega-3. They say it will improve your health by lowering your chances of developing heart disease and diabetes or by lowering your bad cholesterol. Some might even say that fish oil will help you lose weight and feel mentally sharper.
So is it true? Are fish oil or omega-3 benefits really this great? Read on…
Real Omega-3 Benefits (Fish oil)
Several years ago while attending university, I stumbled across a research review outlining the many health benefits of fish oil. It stated that populations that ate a diet high in fatty fish had a very low incidence of cardiovascular disease and bodily inflammation. The article also suggested that fish oil supplementation could improve cholesterol levels, help reduce type 2 diabetes and reduce depression. I remember thinking to myself, “Could this really be true? Does fish oil really help with all these health issues? Are fish oil benefits really this great?”
My story
Due to my family history of cardiovascular disease, the benefits of fish oil greatly intrigued me and since that time, I have dedicated many hours of researching fish oil. Based on all the positive scientific evidence I continue to come across, fish oil has become a mainstay in my daily regimen. I can safely say that fish oil has helped improve my quality of life in several different ways including maintaining a healthy weight, having great annual physicals and blood work and feeling sharper mentally.
Based on my positive experiences with fish oil benefits, I have felt compelled to create this site as a resource for those looking for information about fish oil and the benefits of fish oil.
You are probably asking yourself questions such as, “How much fish oil should I take?“, “What kind of fish oil should I buy?” and “Do I really have to drink oil?” I had many of these same questions which I have worked hard to find accurate answers to.
On this site you will find accurate and reliable answers to all your questions pertaining to omega-3, fish oil and fish oil benefits. Let’s start off by clearing up a few basic questions:
What is fish oil?
Fish oil is the oil or fat extracted from the tissues of fatty fish. Fish oil contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Due to this, fish oil and omega-3 are sometimes used interchangeably.
Basically, fish oil is omega-3 fatty acid. It is normally taken as a pill, in the form of a gelatin capsule but can also be taken in liquid form.
Can I just eat fatty fish instead of taking fish oil pills?
Fish oil capsules, 1000mg each
Eating fish is a great idea for many reasons. However, not all fish contains the high levels of omega-3 needed to obtain the many health benefits of fish oil. Fish such as wild Alaskan salmon, sardines and herring all have high levels of omega-3.
One must remember fish oil capsules are just encapsulated oil. Most fish oil capsules contain 1000mg of omega-3 which equals to 1g of fat. In essence, taking 1 fish oil capsule is just like eating 1 gram of fat, a small fraction of your daily caloric intake. This healthy fat is necessary for optimal health and shouldn’t have the same negative stigma as trans-fat or saturated fat.
Why is it important to take fish oil and/ or omega-3 fatty acid?
Remember, fish oil contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid, meaning your body does not synthesize it and it is essential to normal functioning. Unfortunately, omega-3 is not found in many foods thereby making many individuals deficient in this essential fat. Taking fish oil is an easy and convenient method of eliminating this deficiency and reaping omega-3 benefits.
Summary
Fish oil is becoming a popular health supplement and for good reason. There are many great, quality brands of fish oil out there that you can start taking as soon as possible to reap the many benefits of fish oil. Check out my category Fish Oil Reviews to find out more information on specific brands of fish oil. Whatever brand of fish oil supplement you choose, I highly recommend that you purchase online. Purchasing fish oil online is more cost effective and gives you many more choices when it comes to finding the best fish oil for your budget.