Fish Oil Can Do you Good. Articles | Nutrition

By: Darren Williger

There are some dirty words when it comes to health and nutrition and two of the most common are oils and fats. Usually when we hear these we are being told not to eat them and be careful how much we have of these in our diet. However, there are some oils and fats that are actually good for us and that we need and sometimes need more of. We cannot, nor should we, avoid all oils and fats. This could actually harm us more than help us.

One such oil is fish oil. This is one of the essential fatty acids that our bodies must have enough of. Without these our health can deteriorate. Also, fatty acids have two groups they are omega-6 EFAs and omega-3EFAS. The differences are slight, but important. Too much omega-6 EFAs can cause blood clotting, tumor growth, and inflammation. Which is the exact opposite if omega-3 EFAs. These fatty acids and oils can be found in vegetable oils and fish oils along with a few other foods.

When you compare the omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs they need to be balanced with each other, neither being taken more than the other. Not enough of either of these has been found to increase the chances of heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging, and some cancers. You can find omega-6 EFAs in corn oil and soy oil, these contain linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs are found in marine plankton, walnuts, and flax seed oils. Some of the benefits of eating fatty fish and fish oils is that they contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that greatly benefit the body as in limiting heart disease. These acids also help prevent heart attacks, depression, cancers, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Raynaud's disease.

Eating foods and supplements with fish oil will improve your heart and increase your lifespan. Giving you a healthier and longer life. Different studies have shown that having a high fish diet had lower the level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, these measure the possibility of blood vessel inflammation. Another study conducted in Australia showed that a diet with regular fish consumption will lower blood pressure and increase glucose tolerance.

Furthermore, a diet high in linoleic acid, fish oils, can improve respiratory symptoms like asthma. Researchers performed a study where half the group of children ate their regular diet and the other had a high fish oil diet. The group who ate a diet high in fish oils had fewer asthma attacks and could breathe more easily also.

Deciding to eat better and consume fish and fish oils is a great place to start for improving your health. Consulting with a nutritionist also will help you get the right amounts you need and which ones to use.