What are the benefits of fish oil (omega 3 complex)?

Answer 1

What Is It?

Heralded for its heart-healthy actions, fish oils offer high concentrations of polyunsaturated fats called omega-3-fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body. Therefore it is very important to ensure that you consume adequate sources either from diet or supplementation. While all fish contain these fats, cold-water fish--salmon, sea bass, tuna, trout, mackerel--are particularly rich sources because of their diet: plankton packed with omega-3s. Interestingly, the colder the water, the more omega-3s in the plankton. Cold-water fish also boast the most potent forms of omega-3s: the essential fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). Consumed as part of a fish-filled diet or in supplement form, omega-3s have myriad healing powers.

Health Benefits
Scientists are constantly discovering new health benefits of fish oils and their essential fatty acids (EFAs, including omega-3s). In addition to their more notable properties as heart-healing substances, there's evidence that these fatty acids ease menstrual cramps and the pain and heavy bleeding of endometriosis. Omega-3s may even aid mental disorders such as attention hyper deficit disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, autism, and schizophrenia. Preliminary findings in people with manic depression (bipolar disorder) link fish oil supplementation to fewer mood swings and irritability. Some experts even contend that the rising tide of depression in the United States can be traced to the increasingly fish-poor diet people tend to follow.

Specifically, fish oils may help to:

· Prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, including complications of high blood pressure. Several years ago scientists discovered why Greenland Eskimos suffer little heart disease despite their high-Fat diets: They eat a lot of cold water fish. Closer examination revealed that it was the omega-3s in the fish that were protecting the hearts of these far-north inhabitants. Subsequent research revealed that the omega-3s discourage platelets in the blood from clumping together, reducing the risk that blood will clot and cause a heart attack. The omega-3s also ease strain on the heart and reduce the risk for Angina (chest pain) by, among other things, reducing high blood pressure, keeping arteries flexible (they control Inflammation within artery walls), lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats), and possibly even raising HDL ("good") cholesterol. Now there's evidence that omega-3s can prevent heart-rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias) (1,2,3). In a large, recently published Lancet study, fish oil supplements (1 Gram a day) significantly reduced the incidence of arrhythmias in heart attack survivors. There were many fewer deaths (and deaths from heart problems specifically) as a result (4).

· Combat depression and other psychiatric disorders. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are vital to the structure and function of the brain. Depressed persons demonstrate lower levels of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which may be linked to alteration in mood (5). Supplementation with fish oils may help to regulate these important chemicals. This may be especially important for women. In a study of 2,698 women and 2, 721 men women who characterized themselves as rare fish eaters were found to be nearly 3 times as likely to suffer from depression as their more frequently fish consuming counterparts (6). Women suffering from postpartum depression may also want to add fish oil to their diets, as many Antidepressant drugs are passed through breast-milk (7).

· Prevent certain cancers. Anticancer actions have been identified in omega-3s, with some recent studies reporting that even small amounts of fish (as part of the diet) can reduce the risk for colon, breast, prostate, and other cancers (8,9,10). Supplementing your diet with fish oil may also help prevent weight loss associated with cancer, and the other negative side effects that accompany conventional cancer treatments (11,12,13).

· Treat rheumatoid arthritis. Joint stiffness and swelling caused by this painful condition may lessen because of the inflammation-fighting actions of omega-3s. Some sufferers find that they can even get by with lower doses of conventional medications (14). In one recent study, participants taking fish oil supplements daily for 12 weeks or more noticed that they were experiencing less morning stiffness and had fewer tender joints (15). Improvements increased even more after 18 to 24 weeks of taking fish oil supplements, with the benefit lingering for up to 8 weeks after the supplements were stopped.

· Control diabetes. Nerve problems and heart disease are complications of this chronic condition. Fish oils may help by preventing nerve damage and possibly raising HDL ("good") cholesterol. On a basic, cellular level they may also improve the body's metabolic use of its own insulin while preventing coronary heart disease (16).

· Ease symptoms of lupus, psoriasis and eczema. In people with lupus, omega-3s appear to control inflammation in the joints, skin, kidneys, and other body tissues (17). Those suffering from psoriasis or eczema may find that the irritated, itchy patches common to these ailments respond to treatment with fish oils after about a month. Interestingly, research indicates that psoriasis sufferers tend to have low levels of omega-3s.

· Minimize Crohn's disease symptoms. This often painful bowel condition tends to flare up and then subside in cycles over time. When taken long term for preventive purposes, the essential fatty acids in fish oils will keep inflammation in the digestive tract under control. In a recent Italian study, fish oil supplements (about 3 grams in enteric-coated form a day) significantly reduced the number of flare-ups in Crohn's disease sufferers (18). All of the study participants were initially in remission but had signs of inflammation. By the end of the study, nearly 70% of the participants given a Placebo had a relapse while only about 30% of those taking the fish oils capsules did.

· Delay the onset of Raynaud's disease symptoms. Omega-3s inhibit inflammation within vessels, making fish oils potentially useful in stalling the numbness, tingling, and other symptoms resulting from exposure to cold air. One placebo-controlled study of 32 Raynaud's sufferers found that fish oil supplements slowed the appearance of such bothersome symptoms by an average of 15 minutes (often enough time to allow sufferers to avoid painful symptoms by getting to a warm place).

· Improve air flow for asthmatics. The high levels of omega-3s in fish oil may help alleviate the inflammation of the airways suffered by asthmatics (19). Some studies show improved forced expiratory volume (FEV) when asthmatics increased their intake of omega-3s (20). More research is necessary to determine if supplementation with omega-3s are helpful to asthmatics across the board (21).

· Slow mental decline in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils contribute to brain and central nervous system health in many ways. In animal models the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil may specifically help to protect the brain from the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques which accompany mental decline in Alzheimer’s (22). In human studies, using omega-3s as a part of an integrative treatment program slowed cognitive decline for 24 months (23).

· Promote healthy development in children. The fatty acids found in fish oil facilitate the speedy growth and development of the ever changing child’s brain. Nearly 15% of brain development takes place during infancy. Ensuring that nursing mothers and infants receive appropriate amounts of omega-3s is vital to child development (24). Preliminary data shows that omega-3 supplementation may also benefit children who chronically wet the bed by inhibiting prostaglandin and renal nitric oxide production (25).

Answer 2

The benefits are unbelievable...people that are deficient in Omega 3's are more apt to have depression, dyslexia, dry skin, heart disease, there are to many things to mention. But just remember, any fish oil bought in a grocery store, or health food store is problably not the good stuff. Price should be your first indication that you have the right stuff. A good fish oil, should caost around $25.00 for about 100 tablets. If it is less, that you probably have a food grade fish oil, and you will need 100 gallons of that oil to equal about 1 gallon of pharmaceutical grade. Check out the fish oil on this site, it is where I get mine: www.shopherbalife.com/tfward

Answer 3

You don't have to get it from fish oil... I'm a vegetarian so I get it from flax seed oil. It is necessary if you want to be healthy although I'm not entirely sure what exactly it helps. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Answer 4

sounds very much as though you need to get yourself a good book and study and apply good nutrition adele davis lets eat right to keep fit comes to mind a starter Protein The body is a sort of machine and like if u put junk oil into a machine it cannot perform well and wears out faster the same with your body .People think they eat well =the reality is far different =every person should study nutrition because from what you learn you will pass on that good info and habits to your family and that can help a lot . look on the labels for the protein content on foods. YOUR body is largely made of protein: your skin, muscles, internal organs, nails, hair, brain, and even the base of your bones. Like the muscles, hair which lacks elasticity and resiliency and perhaps breaks or refuses to take a permanent will often change to healthy hair after a few weeks of improved nutrition. Nails which break, peel, or crack can likewise change when the diet is improved. Experimental work has shown that when a low-protein diet is replaced by one high in adequate proteins, the antibody production is increased a hundredfold within a single week. AND ANTIBODIES FIGHT INFECTION. you grow old on the days your diet is inadequate. Since your body structure is largely protein, an undersupply can bring about aging with depressing speed Increased protein needs during pregnancy and breast feeding are usually met simply by the extra calories from more food. Because infants and children are growing they require more protein than adults (proportional to their body weight). According to Adele Davis book your breakfast can be a very big influence on how you feel throughout your day. Studies show that children who have a good breakfast do better in school . Whether you work at home, on the farm, at the office, at school, or on the road, it is not a good idea to skip breakfast.If you were in the army skipping breakfast would mean you would be on a charge as this was considered to be a serious offence. If we skip breakfast, we are likely to become tired when our brains and According to Adele Davis book, Many studies have been done on breakfast and blood sugar People who eat breakfast are significantly less likely to be obese and diabetic than those who usually don’t, researchers reported today at the American Heart Association’s 43rd Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention. The reason is that one's blood sugar stays up at optimum levels throughout the day only when enough protein is eaten at breakfast. What is "enough"? In Adelle's judgment, an average-size person should have about 60 grams of protein a day, and about 1/3rd of that at breakfast. That's at least 20 grams. The meal furnishing 55 grams of protein sustained a high level of energy and a high metabolism for six hours afterward. Children do not learn well unless nutrition is obtained and much money is wasted. Car accidents can obviously also occur from low blood sugar as thinking is slower. Low blood sugar driving may be as serious as drunken driving. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council recommends the following amounts of protein, in grams, daily Adults children Men -- 70 1-3 – 40 4-6 – 50 7-9 – 60 10-12 -- 70 Over 12 Years Girls 13-15 -- 80 Women -- 60 Girls 16-20 -- 75 Pregnancy -- 85 Boys 13-15 -- 85 Lactation -- 100 Boys 16-20 -- 100 These figures, , are generally considered to be too low. If you wish to maintain your attractiveness, vigor, and youthfulness as long as is humanly possible, it is probably wise to eat considerably more protein than the Board recommends and/or to count only the grams of adequate protein you eat. Whenever the diet has been deficient in protein for some time, an intake of 150 grams or more daily is probably advisable for a month or more. Such large amounts are also needed in the treatment of various disease conditions.

Answer 5

It can help lower blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, improve circulation and speed up your metabolism.

Answer 6

It helps your brain sorry I dont know how I've just always heard that it helps your brain.

Answer 7

I just read about those. They give you vitamin D which makes you happy and it also speeds up your metabolism.

Answer 8

Lowering cholesterol, easing joint pain, improving immunity.

Answer 9

heart health, helps the nervous system too.