When the words fats and oils are mentioned, health-conscious people have a tendency to run for cover. What they don’t understand is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of fats and oils would really be harmful – instead of beneficial – to their own health.
About Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids should always be a part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our departure. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.
Although there are only very small differences to differentiate the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have shown that too much consumption of omega-6 EFAs may cause inflammation, blood clotting and tumor development. The great news, however, is that the reverse is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs are found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs are found in fish oils among other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists have the same opinion that the reason for increasing cases of cardiovascular disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain sorts of cancer is none apart from an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As stated earlier on, omega-6 EFAs are found in vegetable oils. This includes but isn’t limited to corn oil and soy oil, each of which contains high levels of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand are available also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It needs to be important to be aware that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids which have been observed to give many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a research on Greenland Eskimos have shown that one of the important reasons why they rarely suffer from heart ailments is due to their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).
The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also valuable in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various kinds of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food also have proven to be helpful in treating ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a good deal more illnesses and situations in which ingestion of fish oil has been demonstrated to be significantly beneficial.
Making the Heart Healthier
The center is inarguably the main part of our body and with an unhealthy heart means having to undergo a somewhat limited lifespan. Naturally, it is in our best interests to keep our hearts contented and healthy and one way of doing this is eating food which has fish oil.
In Athens, Greece, for example, a study was made to reveal if there was a direct connection between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results demonstrated that those who ate more fish than others had a lower degree of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, variables which are generally utilized to quantify likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the many dangers associated with high fish diet were taken into consideration.
Fish to Grow Taller
In Perth, Australia, a research had shown that fish consumption may be used against obesity and hypertension. Researchers have found a weight-loss diet which contains a regular quantity of fish intake can be very helpful in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
To Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma are normally perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be very happy to learn that particular studies have shown the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics reveal that approximately 20 to 25 percent of children now suffer one kind of asthma or another at a specific stage in their lives. And certain evidence shows a normal diet of meals with high linoleic acid content as the reason for it.
Researchers conducted a study by exposing several kids to a high-fish diet while others continued with their normal diet. Results demonstrated that the participants who ate more fish were less likely to asthma attacks and could breathe more easily also.
Final Word
Nothing is good when consumed or used too but complete avoidance of a specific food type is every bit as harmful too. Ask your nutritionist for the ideal quantity of fish intake to your age and health status.
