What Is Fish Oil?

What Are The Benefits Of Fish Oil Omega 3?

What Is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is a form of fatty acid that is derived from the tissues of oily fish.

Fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a rich source of the two essential omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

What Part of the Fish Contains Fish Oil?

You can find Fish oil in the fatty tissues of cold water, oily fish.

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times (two servings) a week.

Here are a list different types of fish that contains rich Omega-3’s (Omega-3’s are good for your body):

  • Halibut
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Trout
  • Tuna (Fresh Tuna)
  • Oysters
  • Herring
  • Mackerel

Your body is not able to make the essential fatty acid Omega-3. You must obtain Omega-3 through your diet. 

If your diet does not contain enough Omega-3 Fish Oil, then you can take an Omega- 3 Fish Oil supplement.

What Happens If You Do Not Have Enough Omega-3 In Your Body?

Imbalance of these essential fats drives inflammation and promotes diseases.

Research indicates omega-3s reduces inflammation, and may in contribute to reducing the risk and of numerous chronic illnesses and diseases influenced by inflammation.

These may include:

  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Cancer (Several forms)
  • Autoimmune Diseases (For example Rheumatoid Arthritis)

The EPA in the Omega-3 Fish Oil supports heart health and the DHA in the Omega-3 Fish Oil is a constituent of membranes of nerve cells in the brain and is thought to play a significant role in healthy brain development and function.

How Much Omega-3 Should You Take?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 1 gram per day of EPA+DHA for people with heart disease. Higher doses — between 2 to 4 grams per day — are used to lower triglycerides. If you need to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements, ask your health care provider what dosage you should use. Children shouldn’t use omega-3 fatty acid supplements unless a doctor suggests it. The dose of plant-based fatty acids is generally much higher than for fish oils.

Talk To Your Doctor:

Before you add any supplements to your diet, you should ask your health care provider.

Is Taking Fish Oil Dangerous?

Taking the recommended dosage of Fish Oil is beneficial to your health unless you are:

  • Allergic To Fish
  • Take Anticoagulant Drugs
  • Scheduled for a Surgery

If you plan to add Omega-3 Fish Oil to your daily diet, then you should choose a supplement brand that has been independently tested and guaranteed to be free of all heavy metals ( such as Lead and Mercury)  and other environmental toxins that include polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs. 

I hope you found, “What is Fish Oil?” helpful. 

You can learn about other shortcuts to living with a chronic illness on HypoGal Blog.

 

Resources: 

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/HealthyDietGoals/Fish-and-Omega-3-Fatty-Acids_UCM_303248_Article.jsp#.VykifKODFBc

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-omega-3-fatty-acids

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03050/Fish-Oil-Omega-3-Dr-Weil.html

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