Fish oil, liquid gold?

What is fish oil and why is it useful?

Fish oils are full of Omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids in fish are found just under the skin of the fish and in the liver of the fish. These fatty acids are also found in lower doses from plants and various vegetables. Our bodies cannot produce these beneficial fats, so we must obtain them through our diet. Fatty acids are good fats that help fuel our cells with energy and muscle contraction. They are important for heart muscle and skeletal muscle and are generally water soluble. Some symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can be fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings, depression, and poor circulation.

Benefits of fish oil

Some health benefits include its ability to help treat heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, depression, cancer, diabetes, chronic joint pain, neurological disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, fertility and pregnancy, fat loss and control weight loss, inflammation, ADD, healthy skin (especially psoriasis and acne), brain trauma, IBD, macular degeneration, and ulcers. Some health problems benefited from a higher dose prescribed by a doctor. However, high doses of fish oil supplements can have harmful side effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding, easy bruising, and nosebleeds, while low doses generally have few or no associated side effects.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are extremely important for the overall health of our minds and bodies. They work by reducing the body’s production of triglycerides; high triglyceride levels can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Here are some simple rules to follow to choose the highest quality fish oil supplement:

– Fish oil should contain Omega-3 fatty acids, not just “fish oil”. Remember, it is from Omega-3 fatty acids that we receive health benefits.

– The supplement must list the total amount of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) on the label. You want a supplement where the total EPA and DHA add up to the total amount of oils in the product. If there are only 350 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids but the capsule has 1000 mg, what type of oil makes up the missing 650 mg? The higher the EPA/DHA, the better the supplement.

– Ideally, the oil should be extracted only from the meat of the fish. Some supplements are extracted from heads, tails, or internal organs. You wouldn’t eat these parts of a fish if you were getting your Omega-3 fatty acids through the food source. So you shouldn’t want a supplement made from the inedible parts of fish, either.

– The fish used for the oil must undergo sanitary controls and be free of diseases. This means that the manufacturer needs to know where their fish comes from and must test it before including it in their processing plant.

-Make sure the supplement you buy is GMP (good manufacturing practice) certified; It will say so on the label.

The amount of fish oil one should take largely depends on the reasoning behind their fish oil consumption. Dosage should always be discussed with your doctor, and should be discussed especially if you are taking fish oil for a specific medical condition. Fish oil can also interact with some medications, so before you start taking it, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it would be safe to add medications you are already taking or a medication prescribed to you while taking fish oil to your diet. . supplements. If you are allergic to shellfish or shellfish, you should also be careful. If you are allergic, omega-3 oils can also be obtained through vegetable oils such as canola oil, flax seed oil, and walnuts.

In short, fish oils are healthy and beneficial, and as with everything, moderation is key. Many of us become addicted or overwhelmed by supplements. In my opinion, eating a well-balanced diet that directly supplies you with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from food is the best way to supplement. That said, I take a fish oil supplement myself because I don’t eat enough wild-caught, cold-water small fish on a weekly basis, so I choose to add it through supplements.

If you’re curious about how it can benefit you, try a self-study. If you’re generally healthy but have one or more of the omega-3 deficiency symptoms described above, try a good-quality fish oil supplement for 1 to 3 months and decide for yourself. And as always, check with your doctor if you have concerns or if you’re taking medication.