Nothing Fishy About Fish Oil

By now, you have probably heard how essential fatty acids, or EFAs, can be extremely beneficial to your health. But you might not realize that the term “EFA” actually encompasses a long list of specific nutrients.

In general, EFAs cannot be made by our bodies, so they have to come from our diets. One reason we are advised to eat more fish like salmon and mackerel is that they contain large amounts of the EFA known as omega-3.

In addition to omega-3, other key forms of EFAs include eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexanoic acid, or DHA. EPA and DHA are particularly concentrated in fish that live in cold water, including the two listed above as well as sea bass, tuna, and trout.

Unfortunately, due to mercury levels in water, we are not always able to eat the amount of fish we would like for good health. And of course, some of us just don’t care for the taste of fish. This is why supplementing with a high-quality, mercury and heavy-metal free form of fish oil is such a good idea.

The many health benefits of EFAs

At this point, let’s back up a bit and talk about why EFAs are so important for our health. Overall, the EFAs found in fish oil are probably best known for their proven ability to help with heart health. Specifically, the omega-3 EFAs have been found to prevent blood platelets from sticking together, which in turn reduces the chance of blood clots. EFAs have also been linked to lowered blood pressure, improving the flexibility of the arteries, easing angina, lowering cholesterol and preventing arrhythmias. One study found that taking 1 gram of fish oil supplements a day reduced arrhythmias in heart attack survivors.

As impressive as this is, EFAs can also help with even more than cardiovascular health. For example, people who suffer from depression are more likely to have much lower levels of EPA and DHA. By supplementing with fish oil, these two key substances can be raised, leading in turn to improved moods. In one study, almost 2,700 women and 2,700 men who rarely ate fish were found to be almost 3 times as likely to have depression as people who consume fish more frequently.

In addition, omega-3 may reduce the risk of developing certain cancers including those affecting the colon, breast and prostate, and because EFAs contain natural anti-inflammatory action, they may be useful in the fight against conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis and eczema. It’s safe to say that EFAs are among the healthiest of nutrients in the world. By taking a high quality fish oil supplement on a daily basis, you can rest assured that you are getting enough of the precious omega-3, EPA and DHA nutrients your body requires for optimum wellness.

References:
www.wholehealthmd.com
Other internet sources