Fish Oil Benefits

Cod Liver Oil Benefits

Cod liver oil is a specific type of fish oil which is derived from the liver of cod fish. Cod liver oil, although quite unappetizing, is highly nutritious due to its high levels of the omega-3′s, vitamin D and vitamin A. Because of this nutritional prowess, cod liver oil can be a great supplement for just about anyone. There are numerous cod liver oil benefits that almost everyone can reap rewards from.

Not too many people know this, but back before big pharmaceutical companies, many doctors prescribed cod liver oil for several ailments such as rickets and other symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. Cod liver oil actually worked great for many of these ailments and in many cases, the benefits of cod liver oil got to the actual root of the problem instead of just covering it up like many modern medicines today.

I am sure that many people objected to taking cod liver oil, despite its numerous health benefits, based solely on its intense fish taste. This is probably why cod liver oil benefits fell off sometime around the late 1960′s. However, new production and distillation methods have increased the overall purity of the cod liver oil, increasing the benefits of cod liver oil while also decreasing the undesirable taste and smell. In order to make the oil more palatable, many companies have recently been adding various flavorings such as mint or citrus.

Fish oil vs Cod Liver Oil Benefits

So what exactly are the differences between normal fish oil and cod liver oil. Both oils are similar in that they both contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. However, because cod liver oil is extracted from the livers of cod, cod liver oil contains high levels of vitamin A and D. Many fish oil benefits require a person to take higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and this would not be advisable to achieve from taking cod liver oil. The reason is due to the high levels of vitamin A which can be overdosed if too much is taken.

So Why Should You Use Cod Liver Oil?

There are many reasons why cod liver oil is a great nutritional supplement. The benefits of cod liver oil as a standalone supplement actually outweigh those of regular fish oil in some regards however cod liver oil cannot be dosed as high as regular fish oil, due to its additional vitamins.

Other than that, here are some reported cod liver oil benefits:

• Cod liver oil can reduce inflammation. Similarly to fish oil, cod liver oil can ease pain and joint stiffness associated with inflammatory conditions.
• Cod liver oil is clinically proven to have positive effects on bone, wounded skin, nails, hair and the heart.
• Cod liver oil may be a complementary measure for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
  
• In one study, cod liver oil significantly reduced the mortality rate of female cancer patients.
  

Cod liver oil side effects or reasons not to take cod liver oil?

As mentioned, cod liver oil contains high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D. These are great and necessary vitamins for optimal bodily functions, but since both are fat soluble vitamins, overdose is possible. You must use caution when using cod liver oil, especially in higher dosages due to this reason.

Cod liver oil can also contain elevated levels of various contaminants and toxins such as PCB’s or mercury especially since the oil is derived from the liver, the organ responsible for filtering. It is advised that if you take cod liver oil, you do so from a reputable company known for its purity. Carlson’s makes great fish oil products, along with their cod liver oil products.

As always, it is strongly advised that you consult with your doctor or medical professional before adding making any dietary changes or before taking a new supplement.

Does Fish Oil Help You Lose Weight

So does fish oil help you lose weight? The short answer is yes, fish oil can help you lose weight. However, how much weight you will lose is dependent on several factors such as current body weight, gender, activity level, health status and dietary intake. This article will examine these factors and will also explain through what mechanisms fish oil can help you lose weight.

Factors that will determine how much weight you lose while using fish oil:

• Current Body weight: Individuals carrying more fat mass will lose more weight than leaner individuals. This holds true for many weight-loss diets in general. The fatter you are, the more weight you stand to lose when you make dietary changes. For example a 300 pound woman will lose more weight than a 250 pound woman if they are both eating for weight loss.
• Gender: Men typically lose more weight than females. This mostly has to do with men having better hormones for losing fat. Women have higher estrogen levels, which is associated with weight gain. However, both sexes can still lose weight by utilizing a proper dosage of fish oil.
• Activity level: Higher amounts of activity will burn more calories which will in turn burn more fat. Exercise combined with fish oil will help you lose more weight than taking fish oil alone. Consistently taking fish oil and regularly exercising will have a synergistic effect on each other helping you to lose more weight than just popping fish oil.
• Health status: Individuals with diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome or other conditions will generally have less results taking fish oil for weight loss. However, it should be noted that supplementing fish oil can be beneficial to many diseases which will in turn help you lose weight. Please refer to your physician before making dietary changes, especially those with life altering diseases.
• Dietary intake: It only makes sense that those eating less will also lose more weight, even when paired with fish oil. Yes fish oil will help you lose weight, but if you are eating loads and loads of unnecessary calories, fish oil will not change the Law of Thermodynamics which states, all energy cannot be created or destroyed. In practical terms, this means if you are eating too much, you will store fat, no matter if you take fish oil to help you lose weight or not. Eat less, but do not starve yourself, as fat- loss can quickly become stalled if calories are too low.

How does fish oil help you lose weight?

It seems too good to be true, I know. The fact of the matter is that fish oil can help you lose weight! But how? Here are a few mechanisms through which fish oil helps weight loss:

1. Fish oil can turn on fat burning genes and turn off fat storing genes.
2. Fish oil can reduce stress, which will in help reduce “fat storing hormones” such as cortisol.
3. Fish oil can potentially treat several diseases which make weight loss difficult.
4. Fish oil can increase serotonin, the “feel good” hormone.
5. Fish oil can improve the structural integrity of cells which can improve insulin sensitivity, thus making fat storage less probable after a meal.

Summary:

If you have not started taking fish oil yet, this could be a great time to start. Research is beginning to show more and more fish oil benefits everyday. I suggest purchasing fish oil online, as it can be found cheaper and there is a much wider selection to choose from. What are you waiting for?

Fish Oil For Athletes

Fish oil is a great supplement for anyone looking to reap it’s many benefits. These benefits include improvements to the cardiovascular system, cholesterol levels, cognitive functioning and overall well- being. However, where does fish oil for athletes stand? Is fish oil a good supplement for athletes? What about omega-3 supplements for athletes?

The truth is whether you’re a weekend warrior or an elite, professional athlete, fish oil definitely has a smart place in your diet. This article will examine how fish oil can benefit athletes and why its important for athletes to consider supplementing with fish oil or a similar omega-3 supplement. Lastly, we’ll take a look at two very interesting studies regarding fish oil for athletes.

Why Fish Oil For Athletes?

Athletes routinely subject their bodies to stress through training and competition. This stress can be physical, such as damage to muscle fibers and joints or even psychological, such as mental exhaustion and emotional burn out. The fact of the matter is that all different kinds of stress can take its nasty toll on an active individual.

You may have heard that maintaining an optimal diet of nutritious foods can improve recovery, thus increasing athletic performance when the time comes to train and compete. This couldn’t be more true. No matter what your sport or level of competition, eating a balanced diet of lean proteins, healthy fats such as fish oil, coconut oil, and olive oil, vegetables, fruits and as- needed carbohydrates will help improve your overall performance.

Lets examine a list of reasons how fish oil for athletes can be beneficial:

• Fish oil can reduce inflammation that occurs from hard training and competition. Athletes get banged up while training and competing. Whether due to injuries or just hard work, athletes are subjected to inflammation of joints, muscles, and other tissues. The good news is that fish oil and the omega-3 fatty acids EPA/ DHA are anti-inflammatory. Nature’s very own safe and effective anti-inflammatory!
• Fish oil can turn on fat burning genes and turn off fat storing genes. Unless your compete in powerlifting, chances are, you will perform better with less body fat. Excess body fat can slow you down and hinder your ability to gain muscle mass. Taking fish oil can help aid weight loss through various mechanisms and even help build muscle mass. Two birds- one stone!
• Fish oil can decrease stress. Stress will hamper your ability to recover from training and competition. It also makes you feel like walking death. Fish oil decreases stress, and hormones associated with stress through a variety of ways. One method is fish oil increases serotonin levels, the “feel good” hormone.

Two interesting recent studies regarding fish oil and athletes:

A study conducted by the Department of Kinesiology of the University of Indiana found that after 3 weeks of fish oil supplementation, athletic subjects experienced a reduction in exercise- induced airway narrowing, bronchodilator use, and airway inflammation. This is great news for athletes that suffer from asthma and exercise induced broncho-constriction! Fish oil could offer a potentially beneficial treatment!

Studies have shown that 3 weeks of fish oil supplementation, rich in EPA and DHA, reduces exercise-induced airway narrowing, airway inflammation, and bronchodilator use in elite athletes and asthmatic individuals with EIB. Based on the evidence to date, fish oil supplementation may represent a potentially beneficial treatment intervention for athletes and asthmatic individuals with EIB.

Another study conducted by the Department of Physiology of the University of Siena concluded that supplementing with omega-3 and policosanol may be effective in improving mood state and reactivity. Subjects experienced a reduction in reaction time . The reduction in reaction time appeared to be due to improvements to the central nervous system. Improved reaction and mood? Sounds like a great combination for athletes!

References:

1. Mickleborough TD, Lindley MR, Montgomery GS. Effect of fish oil-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty Acid supplementation on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and immune function in athletes. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 2008 Dec;36(1):11-7

2. Fontani G, Lodi L, Migliorini S, Corradeschi F.Effect of omega-3 and policosanol supplementation on attention and reactivity in athletes. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2009 Aug;28 Suppl:473S-481S.

Is Fish Oil Good For You?

When people ask me the question “Is fish oil good for you?”, I always say the same thing- fish oil is one of the most beneficial and proven supplements you can take. So exactly how is fish oil good for you? Read below.

Fish oil is a very good natural source of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). What makes these omega-3 fatty acids so important is that they are essential to the diet. Both of these fatty acids play crucial roles in various bodily functions. Unfortunately, unless you are eating 2-3 servings of fatty fish a week, you are probably not eating enough EPA or DHA necessary for optimal health.

Taking a recommended dose for fish oil should not only make you feel better, it should also decrease your chances of having a heart attack. Many studies show that taking fish oil can reduce your chances of having a heart attack. There have been many explanations for this great benefit. One explanation is that fish oil can have positive effects on circulation, particularly in the heart. Another benefit is that fish oil, in particular the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, are anti-inflammatory in nature.Heart disease is characterized by high levels of inflammation, so it only makes sense to use fish oil for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Other studies have shown that fish oil can reduce blood pressure and clotting. Two important risk factors for heart disease. Even the American Heart Association recognizes the health benefits of fish oil, stating that fish oil is beneficial for those with healthy hearts as well as those who have experienced cardiovascular disease.

How else is fish oil good for you?

For several years now, research has been showing that fish oil, in particular the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, can have beneficial effects on several cognitive diseases such as depression, anxiety and ADHD. While there is no concrete explanation as to how DHA can help treat cognitive diseases, one thing is clear: the brain is comprised of high levels of DHA. A possible theory is that, if DHA levels in the brain are compromised, cognitive diseases may be more prevalent.

Other research has shown that fish oil can have a positive impact on insulin sensitivity. This is great news for those suffering from type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. While the jury is out on whether or not fish oil can have a substantial impact on insulin resistance, other data supports the use of fish oil for overall health and well being.

Summary:

While there are tons of suggested fish oil benefits, like anything, there can be side effects as well. Like I tell people, moderation is key and always consult with your physician before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Make sure when choosing a fish oil supplement, you do not choose the least expensive brand, as this can be a big mistake. Not all fish oil is created equal so choose wisely!

For more information about fish oil, omega-3 and the benefits of both, check out the rest of the site on your right!

Omega-3 Fish Oil

Have you been taking your omega-3 fish oil everyday? If you answered no to this question, it may be time to start.

Do you suffer from joint pain? Are you overweight? Do you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors for having a heart attack? Omega-3 fish oil can have a positive impact on all of these unhealthy circumstances and many more!

Let’s examine the health benefits of omega-3 fish oil in order to further support the notion that fish oil can have a positive impact on your health and overall well-being. I’ll be citing various scientific research to support these health claims- so you know I’m not making this stuff up.

Omega-3 Fish Oil and Your Heart

Some of the most conclusive data regarding omega-3 fish oil and health are related to the cardiovascular system. An incredible study conducted towards the end of the 20th century known as the GISSI-Prevenzone study, produced amazing data. Researchers in this study examined 11,323 people who had previously suffered a myocardial infarction (heart attack). The researchers instructed a percentage of these individuals to take 1 gram of fish oil a day. After three and a half years, the individuals who took 1 gram of fish oil had an approximate 50% reduction in sudden death from heart attack! (1)

Let’s back up for a second and examine this figure again. Lets say you have a 100% chance of dying from a heart attack. This study suggests that by taking just 1 gram of fish oil a day, you reduce your chances of dying by 50%! Why aren’t you taking fish oil again?

Omega-3 Fish Oil and Your Joints

Chances are, you have joint pain. Just about everyone suffers from some type of joint pain, whether it be an achy knee, a sore shoulder or bothersome wrists from work related typing. However, there may be a natural solution that does not require constantly downing anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium!

Many individuals report that taking omega-3 fish oil can have a positive impact on sore or achy joints. This makes sense because the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are naturally anti-inflammatory! However, in order to receive these type benefits, many individuals recommend upping the fish oil dosage.

Omega-3 Fish Oil and Weight Loss

Now, let’s examine a less known health benefit of fish oil: fish oil weight loss. There are several mechanisms through which omega-3 fish oil can aid with weight loss. Researchers studying these various mechanisms have studied fish oil and weight loss. One particular study from the International Journal of Obesity, involved 324 obese or overweight men and women. Researchers put these individuals on a reduced calorie diet and administered either fatty fish, lean fish, fish oil capsules or nothing at all.

These individuals were not eating a diet very conducive to weight loss (high carbohydrate, low protein) and were not exercising, but despite the odds, the men lost an average of 14 pounds. Men who ate fatty fish or consumed fish oil lost an extra 2 pounds! (2)

Other studies have also shown that including fish oil in a weight loss diet can have a positive impact with extra fat loss.

References

1. Marchioli R, Barzi F, Bomba E, Chieffo C and et al. Early Protection Against Sudden Death by Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids After Myocardial Infarction (GISSI)-Prevenzione. 2002 1897-1903.

2. Thorsdottir I, Tomasson H, Gunnarsdottir I and et al. Randomized trial of weight-loss-diets for young adults varying in fish and fish oil content. International Journal of Obesity 2007.

EPA DHA

What is EPA DHA?

On many of my other pages, I have mentioned the abbreviations EPA and DHA. EPA is short for eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA short for docosahexaenoic acid. EPA and DHA are two of the three different kinds of omega-3 fatty acid. ALA or α-linolenic acid is the third. EPA and DHA are  polyunsaturated fats and are found abundantly in fish oil and fatty fish.

The interesting fact about EPA DHA, is that these fats cannot be synthesized by the body even though they play a significant role in optimal bodily function. For just this reason alone, it is important to get these fats through diet and/or supplementation.

History

The health benefits of taking EPA and DHA have been popular for years, dating back to the 1930s. Physicians used to long recommend cod liver oil as a health remedy and touted its beneficial properties for children and adults alike. Cod liver oil is a source of not only EPA and DHA, but various other vitamins such as vitamin D and E. However, the benefits of taking EPA and DHA have only recently been popularized by the general public.

The health benefits of EPA DHA were academically studied and researched in the 1970′s when scientists and researchers- while working with the Greenland Inuit Tribe- discovered that despite a very high fat intake, these peoples had very low (virtually none) incidence of cardiovascular disease. Upon further investigation, researchers also discovered that their cardiovascular systems were particularly health with low levels of triglycerides, blood pressure, heart rate and clogging of arteries.

In 2004, the United States FDA gave EPA and DHA a “qualified health claim”, allowing supplement companies selling EPA and DHA to add claims that “supportive but not conclusive” evidence has shown that consumption of DHA and EPA may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Scientists have recently developed ethyl esterized versions of EPA DHA, and have called these versions E-EPA and E-DHA claiming that these versions are highly purified and more effective than ordinary EPA/ DHA supplements. These versions are available only with prescription in the United States but may be bought over the counter in parts of Europe. The drug name for these ethyl esterized versions of EPA/ DHA is called Lovaza.

Difference between EPA and DHA

EPA and DHA often get clumped into the same category because they are both found in fish oil and both omega-3 fatty acids. Most studies studying the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on various conditions have used equal or similar ratios between the two, even furthering the similar views on each.

However EPA and DHA have very different roles when broken down individually. DHA is extremely important to a normal functioning brain, nerves, muscle function and eyes. DHA has been found to be extremely important in developing nervous systems, such as in children.

EPA’s main function however is the inhibition of arachidonic acid. Too much arachidonic acid leads to degenerative diseases such as cancers, diabetes and heart disease. EPA has also been shown to have a beneficial role in the endocrine and immune system.

Fish Oil for Dogs

We all know that fish oil is good for us. Humans don’t get nearly enough omega-3 essential fatty acids (fish oil) in our diet  but what about our pets, particularly our dogs?

Well, come to find out, due to all their great benefits, essential fatty acids such as fish oil are one of the most commonly used nutritional supplements for dogs. In fact, many conventional veterinarians have been using fish oil for dogs as some form of treatment for many maladies and diseases.

You might remember me discussing the difference between omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 are anti-inflammatory in nature while omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. Many diseases are inflammatory in nature, so it only makes sense to use fish oil for its natural, anti-inflammatory properties to fight inflammation cause by disease.

There are two types of omega-3 fatty acid that are commonly used to help dogs and other animals: fish oil and flaxseed oil. While both contain the medicinal anti-inflammatory omega-3′s flaxseed oil is mostly an inactive form which is not very effective in pets. Fish oil on the other hand contains the highly touted EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Recent research studies suggest that fish oil for dogs and other pets is much more effective than flaxseed oil alone. However, if your goal is to improve the skin or shine and quality of your dog’s coat, flaxseed oil may be beneficial in this regard.

Inflammatory diseases in your dog such as heart disease, arthritis, cancer and allergies may be help by supplementing their diet with fish oil. Pets with allergic skin disease seem to get benefit from fish oil supplementation. Using fish oil in for allergic skin disease seems to be an effective alternative and can help reduce the amount of other medications used to treat this disease. There have been a few studies that suggest that fish oil can slow the rate of cancer growth in pets. The general consensus is that, administering fish oil to your cancer stricken pet can be beneficial.

Many veterinarians feel that fish oil can be beneficial to the diet of any pet. While adding fish oil to your pet’s diet may not add 10 years to their life or dramatically increase its well-being over night, at the end of the day, omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that can benefit dogs, pets and humans alike.

When supplementing fish oil for dogs, it is recommended that vitamin E is added back into their diet, as fish oil supplementation for dogs may lower vitamin E levels. It is also cautioned that pet owners do their research on supplements your veterinarian may sell. Because supplements are not regulated, it is important to know the manufacturer and whether or not the product is what it says it is.

A noted veterinarian once recommended to me that he prescribes 2-4 times the labeled dose when treating inflammatory diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease and allergies and adjusting the dose based on the animal’s response. If your goal is to improve your dogs skin or fur coat, then the recommended dose should be fine.

Fish Oil Acne

Acne can be extremely embarrassing and psychologically debilitating. When I was younger, I actually had quite a bit of acne that really embarrassed me. I’d do all kinds of things such as wash my face five times a day, swab with alcohol pads, I even bought some special acne medication that was “proven to cure acne”.

However, it wasn’t until I started to clean up my diet and incorporate fish oil, did my acne clear up for good. I came across a couple websites with user reviews claiming that taking fish oil caused some type of fish oil acne, but that never happened to me. Actually, quite the opposite!

After doing some research, I’ve come across a few ways that fish oil actually helps to fight acne and other facial blemishes.

Here are few ways fish oil helps:

• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in fish oil has been shown to regulate over- production of androgens. Androgens are hormones that can lead to oil production.
• Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) are anti- inflammatory in nature and may reduce the redness and swelling of acne and other facial blemishes.
• Fish oil can increase the hydration of skin cells improving the texture and smoothness of skin.
• Fish oil has been shown to elevate mood and decrease depression which in turn leads to an overall healthier body. Try not to stress about your acne!
• Can possibly reduce the overall size of the sebaceous gland, reducing sebum production, which can lead to acne.

Lets examine a few of the possible fish oil acne benefits listed above. I think we can all agree that acne is a type of inflammation, skin inflammation in particular. It only makes sense to take fish oil, due to their anti-inflammatory properties. But what causes the inflammation in the first place? Its really difficult to say, as individuals differ across the board, but one thing is clear. Omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oil, canola oil, nut oils, etc.) are inflammatory in nature. Now I’m not suggesting that we replace all omega-6 fatty acids with fish oil. However, I believe that a balanced fat intake is crucial for overall health, and this includes skin health.

If you have ever had the pleasure of examining the skin of a native Japanese islander or an Alaskan Inuit, you will notice they have very smooth and blemish free skin. Maybe not by coincidence, these populations eat a diet that is very high in omega-3 fatty acids, seafood that is naturally high the same beneficial fat that is found is fish oil supplements. They don’t have problems with fish oil acne.  However, their diets are also very low in trans-fat and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Summary:

If you are not currently taking fish oil as part of your daily diet, that I’d advice you to give it a shot. It has helped my skin a ton. Whenever I forget to take fish oil for a few days, I immediately notice much of my skin becomes dryer. You may be thinking, “dry is good if you have acne”, but in actuality, dry skin actually signals for more oil production!

What Does Fish Oil Do

Fish oil has a host of benefits. After all, this site is titled “Fish Oil Benefits”. However, before taking fish oil people still want to know things like  “What does fish oil do?” and “What is fish oil good for?”

Background

First, remember that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are essential to our diet. These fats cannot be synthesized by our bodies and must be taken in from our dietary intake. These fats are necessary for optimal functioning of our bodies. Unfortunately, the standard, Western diet of the 21st century does not include many omega-3 fatty acids thereby making many of us deficient. Recent and past research suggests that deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids can lend its hand to many health complications. Now that you are familiarized with some background information, let us look at what does fish oil does.

What does fish oil do?

This site is not meant to be very “sciencey”. My aim is to provide accurate and reliable information regarding fish oil. However, in order to accurately answer the question “What does fish oil do?”, we must first think back to high school biology class…

As you may know, your body is comprised of billions of cells. Each one of these cells has what is known as a cell membrane. The cell membrane allows things to pass in and out of the cell, things such as hormones, insulin, nutrients, etc.. In very simplistic terms, fish oil or more specifically, omega-3 fatty acids, increase the structural integrity of your cells’ cell membrane. This allows the membrane to work much more efficiently and like it should.

So what does fish oil do in practical terms?

Type-2 diabetes and weight loss. One interesting thing fish oil does in regards to the increased structural integrity of cell membranes is the ability to decrease fat storage in fat cells. Healthy and flexible cell membranes contain a higher number of insulin receptors that respond better to circulating insulin following meals. This can have a positive implications in type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetics where insulin resistance occurs. Fish oil has also been shown to turn on fat burning genes and turn off fat storing genes. This can also help with fish oil weight loss.

Positive effects on diseases. Like I touched on before, many researchers are now linking low levels of omega-3 fatty acids to many diseases. Research is suggesting that fish oil can have a positive impact on treatment of various diseases including heart disease, various cognitive diseases and inflammatory diseases.

Increased levels of serotonin. Fish oil has been shown to increase levels of serotonin which is the “feel good” hormone. This could have potential in helping and decreasing the incidence of panic attacks, anxiety, depression and carbohydrate cravings.

Decrease blood pressure. Fish oil has also been shown to reduce blood pressure through several different mechanisms such as increasing blood circulation and reducing vascular inflammation.

Summary

Fish oil has a great deal of benefits. Remember, if someone asks you what fish oil does, explain to them that fish oil has loads of benefits and many of these benefits can be attributed to increases in cell membrane health. Please consult your physician before taking fish oil.

Fish Oil Depression

Do you suffer from depression, anxiety, or attention deficit disorder (ADD)? For several years now, fish oil and omega-3 has been used in the treatment of these mental illnesses, particularly depression.

What Fish Oil Depression?

The link between a healthy mind and fish oil consumption were first investigated when researchers studying Greenland Inuits noticed that this group of people suffered very little from depression, despite living in extremely cold and hostile climate. Fish oil depression was virtually non- existent, in an area of the world that you would not expect people to be so content with their lives. Scientists deduced that their low depression levels were due to the high levels of omega-3 from fatty fish found in their diets

Why and How Fish Oil Depression/ Omega-3 depression?

The great thing about fish oil is that it comprises omega-3 essential fatty acids which are required by the body. The two primary fats found in fish oil, EPA and DHA, cannot by synthesized by the body and must be part of one’s diet. This is where the problem lies. Most people do not make these essential fats part of their diet, thereby becoming deficient in these two fats, particularly DHA. This poses a significant health concern because DHA actually makes up a large portion of the brain. The current theory suggests that when an individual becomes deficient in DHA, this results in brain abnormalities that can cause depression or other mental illnesses. Many doctors often suggest making diet and exercise a priority while treating mental illnesses, however they often times do not specify what changes to make to the diet.

What to Expect With Depression and Fish Oil?

Unfortunately, fish oil or omega-3 is not a magic pill that will instantly dissolve mental illness. However, it is generally reported by those who suffer from depression that after 2-4 weeks of making fatty fish and fish oil part of their diet, symptoms begin to lessen. The fish oil dosage that is required to achieve this benefit varies between individuals.

The great thing about taking fish oil and omega-3 for depression is that it can be suggested that this is actually getting to the root of the problem, as opposed to just covering it up with medication. Unlike prescription medications, there are very few fish side effects. Remember, DHA, which is found in fish oil, comprises a large percentage of the brain. A DHA deficiency will lead to less than optimal functioning. If you are currently not making fatty fish or fish oil as part of your diet, it is highly likely that you are deficient in DHA.

For those looking for relief from depression related symptoms, it is often suggested that along with fatty fish and fish oil supplementation, a clean diet consisting of lean proteins, vegetables, fruits and whole grains should also be implemented.

Summary

If you suffer from depression or a related mental illness and are not currently taking fish oil or eating fatty fish at least a couple times a week, research suggests that it can help. Although fish oil is generally regarded as safe, it is extremely important that you consult with your physician before making any changes to your current diet.