Omega-3 fish oil, is fish oil that contains Omega-3 fatty
acids. Fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty
acids. Three of these omega-3 fatty acids are of important
nutritional value and are beneficial to our health. Who
among us does not want to be healthy? Among other things
Omega 3 is said to improve circulation, help with diabetes,
arthritis and depression. Aid the immune system, help with
learning and behavioural problems and improve memory in old
age. Omega-3 in fish oil has recently also been shown to be
beneficial during pregnancy. Omega-3 is now thought to be
so beneficial to the development of unborn babies that it
is being re-recommended that pregnant women eat a small
amount of fish each week to assure a small omega-3 intake.
It is believed the benefits outweigh the dangers of the
presence of trace amounts of heavy metals such as mercury
which until now have stopped most pregnant women from
eating fish or seafood. Omega-3 fish oil tablets offer a
safe alternative as manufacturers of omega-3, tablets and
gel, process the oil to remove any base metals (not all
manufacturers remove base metals be sure to check before
buying). These are just a few of the potential health
benefits being looked into. Perhaps one of the most
interesting areas of research regarding Omega-3 fatty acids
is the possibility that they are actually necessary to our
mental health, and can help reduce the incidence of
depression.
Omega-3 supplements are processed from fish oils which are
found naturally in some fatty fish. The fish do not make
the omega-3, they collect it from algae they eat in the
water. The most common source of omega-3 rich fish oils are
from salmon, herring, anchovies, mackerel and sardines.
Tuna also contains Omega-3 fatty acids but only in small
amounts. By far the easiest way to include omega-3 in your
diet is to take omega-3 tablets or gel capsules.
It sounds great but is any of this hype true? As with all
medical claims it can take some time to verify each
individual claim and research into these areas of medicine
and psychology can take years to release conclusive
results. However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration,
USA) in 2006 recognized two types of Omega-3 fatty acids as
having valid health merit, those were eicosapentaenoic acid
and docosahexaenoic acid. In short they admitted that
Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to be beneficial in the
treatment of coronary artery disease. More recently, as
mentioned above, the FDA have reversed an older
recommendation for pregnant women not to eat seafood for
fear of heavy metals, claiming that the benefits of omega-3
outweigh the risk of harm from a small intake of fish.
Contrary to popular belief Omega-3 fish oil capsules and
tablets do not taste like fish, they taste like any other
natural vitamin supplement, so for those of you out there
that don't like the taste of fish you need not worry. There
are several different sources of omega-3 fatty acids, the
most common and readily available is in capsules and
tablets, but you can also get omega-3 from regular dietary
intake of fish, flax seeds or walnuts.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be easily damaged essentially
voiding their nutritional value. Omega-3 fatty acids can go
rancid on contact with air, heat or oxygen. That is why you
should never cook with fish oil, flax seed oil or walnut
oil. They are in-fact best consumed raw. Because of the
sensitive nature of omega-3 fatty acids they need to be
stored carefully in cool, dry and dark places such as the
fridge or freezer. Purchasing omega-3 oil with added
vitamin E is recommended if possible as vitamin E protects
the omega-3 as it is an antioxidant.
----------------------------------------------------
Omega-3 Fish oils are easy to obtain and cheap, why not try
some and see if they do infact make you feel a little
better! For more information on Omega-3 fish oil please
visit http://www.omega-3-fish-oil.info
No comments:
Post a Comment