Monday, December 22, 2008

Fish oil's benefits

It might be easier to answer the question, what is fish oil not good for? As research into the health benefits of fish oil continues, and the amount of evidence grows, we might wonder if there are any limits to the ways in which fish oil can contribute to our health and wellbeing.

It is a sad fact that the quality of our diet has declined over the years. Traditionally, our diets were balanced equally between the Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Today most of us consume far too much Omega 6 and very little Omega 3. It is this disparity that many professionals now believe is contributing to the rise in the number of cases of inflammatory diseases and cancers we see today.

Both Omega 3 and Omega 6 are classed as essential fatty acids in that the body needs them in order to survive, but cannot produce them and has to source them from our diet. Both have different roles in the body. Omega 6 promotes inflammation and growth and helps the blood to clot whereas Omega 3 does the opposite. Omega 6 is in plentiful supply, however, Omega 3 is only found in any significant quantities in oily fish. As we continue to pollute our waters, our fish are now contaminated with deadly toxins that can accumulate in the body over time and lead to even more health problems. So, we have a tragic situation where we are contaminating the very thing that we need to restore health.

The good news is that pure high quality fish oil can provide all the health benefits offered by eating fresh fish, without the risk of ingesting harmful contaminants. It is now well documented that fish oil appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrest, reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, possibly lower blood pressure, the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, and can generally boost the immune system. It doesn’t stop there, it is demonstrating considerable success in the treatment of mood and mind related disorders such as Bipolar disease, schizophrenia, ADHD and depression. It can help slow down the ageing process and helps the brain to develop and function effectively. What is fish oil good for? In short, fish oil is good for keeping us in an optimal balance between omega 3 and omega 6 that is vital for good health.

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