What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil comes from oily fish such as salmon, mullet, mackerel, sardines, tuna, trout and many more. The benefits of fish oil can be derived from either consuming these fish or by taking fish oil pills. The fatty tissues of these fish yield the oil that is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3s in the fish oil are essentially docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. These are long chain Omega 3s, which are easily processed by the body as compared to short chain Omega 3 fatty acids. All types of Omega 3s are needed by the body. Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are mainly found in fish or fish oil supplements.
Benefits of Fish Oil
There are numerous health benefits of fish oil. It can be consumed in the form of fresh fish or fish oil capsules. Fish oil or fish oil supplements are helpful in preventing or easing the problems of age-related macular degeneration and other eye problems such as glaucoma. Women also benefit from fish oil supplements for relief from painful periods and breast pain. Fish oil consumption is also considered good for people with diabetes and asthma. Other benefits of fish oil for women are for pregnancy-related issues such as miscarriages or high blood pressure during the last trimester. Fish oil dosage must be determined only after consulting with a doctor.
For Hair: Omega 3 fatty acids nourish the hair roots and promote hair growth. They also strength hair follicles and give sheen to hair.
For Skin: Fish oil benefits skin by preventing moisture loss as well as keeping dry skin healthy. It is also beneficial for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Fish oil also helps heal skin problems like rash, lesions and itching. The Omega 3s acids in fish oil also protect the skin from the harmful effects of sun’s UV rays. Eicosapentaenoic acid can also reduce the chances of getting sunburn and prevent acne.
For Brain: Omega 3s fatty acids are extremely important for proper brain functioning. These fatty acids are one of the main components of brain matter. Therefore fish is considered as 'brain food' as it contains plenty of Omega 3s for good brain health and it’s functioning. Fish oil benefits for the brain also include easing the symptoms of ADHD and help improve mental skills. Fish oil is also considered to be beneficial for age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and delays memory problems that arise due to aging. Fish oil is also useful for people with depression.
For Heart: Fish oil helps heart health by lowering the levels of triglycerides. Docosahexaenoic acid can prevent many heart diseases by keeping blood fat levels low. Fish oil also helps to stabilize the blood pressure and ensure normal levels. Fish oil supplements can even help people who suffer from heart diseases by reducing the instances of cardiac death.
For Bone health: Fish oil helps patients with rheumatoid arthritis as Omega 3s reduce their need for anti-inflammatory drugs. It also helps in conditions such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis by preventing cartilage damage.
For Weight loss: Fish oil supplements for weight loss is quite popular as several studies in this area have revealed that fish oil when combined with an exercise plan increases overall reduction of weight. This has been attributed to the fact that Omega 3 fatty acids increase blood flow to the various muscle groups and also work on fat-transporting enzymes. For these reasons fish oil and weight loss are considered a good combination for those wanting to lose or maintain healthy weight.
