Top 8 Health Benefits of Fish Oil
Fish oil is one of the most popular dietary supplements. It's high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for good health. It is often derived from oily ... read more...fish including herring, tuna, anchovies, and mackerel. However, it is occasionally made from the livers of other fish, such as cod liver oil. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests consuming 1-2 servings of fish each week. This is because omega-3 fatty acids found in fish provide several health advantages, including protection against a variety of ailments. Here are the best fish oil health advantages.
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The main cause of mortality globally is heart disease. People who consume a lot of fish had considerably reduced risks of heart disease, according to studies. Consumption of fish or fish oil appears to lower many risk factors for heart disease. The following are some of the advantages of fish oil for heart health:
- Improved cholesterol levels: It can raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels while decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
- Triglyceride reduction: It can reduce triglycerides by 15-30%. Even in tiny dosages, it helps persons with high blood pressure lower their blood pressure.
- Plaque prevention: It may help to prevent the formation of plaques that cause arteries to stiffen, as well as make arterial plaques more stable and safe in people who already have them.
Although fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce numerous risk factors for heart disease, there is no strong evidence that they can prevent heart attacks or strokes. Fish oil supplements may help to minimize some of the risk factors for heart disease. There is, however, no conclusive proof that they can prevent heart attacks or strokes.
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Your brain is about 60% fat, with omega-3 fatty acids accounting for the majority of that fat. As a result, omega-3 fatty acids are required for normal brain function. According to research, patients with specific mental health issues had reduced omega-3 blood levels.
Surprisingly, research reveals that omega-3 fatty acids can either prevent or relieve the symptoms of some mental health issues. It can, for example, minimize the likelihood of psychotic illnesses in people who are at risk. Furthermore, high-dose fish oil supplementation may alleviate some symptoms of both schizophrenia and bipolar illness, albeit there is a lack of consistent research. More research is required in this area.
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Your eyes, like your brain, rely on omega-3 fats. People who do not consume enough omega-3 fatty acids are at a higher risk of developing eye disorders, according to research. This beneficial impact, however, was not seen for dry eye conditions in particular. Furthermore, as people become older, their eye health tends to deteriorate, which can lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although eating fish has been related to a lower incidence of AMD, the findings of fish oil supplementation are less clear.
An earlier study discovered that taking a high dosage of fish oil for 19 weeks improved eyesight in persons with AMD. This was, however, fairly tiny research. In 2013, two bigger trials looked at the combined effect of omega-3s and other nutrients on AMD. One research demonstrated a favorable effect, whereas the other did not.
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Inflammation is your immune system's response to infection and injury. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, has been linked to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, depression, and heart disease. Reducing inflammation can aid in the treatment of certain illnesses' symptoms. Because fish oil has anti-inflammatory qualities, it may aid in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders.
Increased weight or stress, for example, can sometimes contribute to greater levels of inflammation. Fish oil was reported to suppress the generation and gene expression of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines in two earlier investigations, one in adults with obesity and one in those undergoing stress. Furthermore, fish oil supplements can dramatically reduce joint pain, stiffness, and medication requirements in persons with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that causes joint discomfort. While inflammation is also a cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there is no convincing evidence that fish oil helps its symptoms.
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Your skin is the biggest organ in your body and has a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Skin health can deteriorate over time, especially in old age or after excessive sun exposure. Nonetheless, fish oil supplements may be effective in a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis and dermatitis.
Omega-3 fatty acids are required for early growth and development. As a result, getting adequate omega-3s throughout pregnancy and lactation is critical. Taking fish oil supplements during this time period may help fetal brain growth. However, it is unknown whether learning or IQ will be boosted as well. Taking fish oil supplements while pregnant and nursing may also aid enhance newborn visual development and lower the chance of allergies.
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A variety of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), entail hyperactivity and inattention. Given that omega-3s make up a large component of the brain, receiving enough of them in childhood may be critical for preventing certain disorders.
Fish oil supplements may enhance children's reported hyperactivity, inattention, impulsiveness, and aggressiveness. This might help with early childhood education. However, additional study is required. Neurodevelopmental disorders in children can have an impact on their learning and development. Supplementing with fish oil has been found to help decrease hyperactivity, inattention, and other associated behaviors.
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Your brain function declines as you become older, and your chance of Alzheimer's disease rises. People who consume more fish have a slower loss of brain function as they age. However, research on fish oil supplements in older persons hasn't shown that they help delay the decrease of brain function. Nonetheless, a small number of studies have found that fish oil may aid memory in healthy older persons.
Asthma, which causes lung swelling and shortness of breath, is becoming increasingly frequent among newborns. Several studies have found that fish oil can help lessen asthma symptoms, especially in children. However, not all investigations had the same findings. A prior study of over 100,000 participants discovered that a mother's fish or omega-3 diet reduced the incidence of asthma in offspring by 24-29%. Furthermore, fish oil supplements used by pregnant women may lessen the risk of allergies in their children.
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Bones lose vital elements as they age, making them more prone to fracture. This can result in illnesses like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, but some research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids may also be advantageous. People who consume more omega-3 fatty acids and have greater blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may have a higher bone mineral density (BMD). However, whether fish oil supplements increase BMD is unknown.
Researchers discovered that omega-3 supplementation enhanced BMD in women with no symptoms of bone discomfort, but not in individuals with osteoporosis. More investigation is required. A handful of small, older research shows that fish oil supplementation lowers bone breakdown indicators, perhaps preventing bone disease.