How Fish Oil Benefits Your Health

The truth is, when the words oils and fats are mentioned, most health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they don’t seem to realize is: there are just as many good fats as there are bad fats and a complete avoidance of the intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to your health.
One of the most important things to remember is essential fatty acids must always be part of your daily diet. As you will see these are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs which is found in vegetable oils and omega-3 EFAS found in fish oils and other foods. Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish these two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth.
The good news is, however, the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Studies have shown and physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As you will have noticed earlier on I mentioned, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs however can only be found in marine plankton, walnut and flaxseed oils. According to the report fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body.
Most people will remember the studies taken way back in the early 1970’s revealed the reason Greenland Eskimos rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish). These two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food has also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
There are a lot more illnesses where the intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial. Making the heart healthier being the most important, especially when this allows you to lead a longer lifespan. Naturally, it’s in your best interests to keep your hearts healthy and in excellent condition and the benefit of eating fish oils in your diet will help you do that.
According to the studies in Athens, Greece, that was meant to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than people on a normal daily diet had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.
You’ll be amazed to find the study in Perth, Australia, revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) discovered that a weight-loss diet which included a regular amount of fish consumption was effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma will be pleased to know they too can benefit by eating regular portions of fish. Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.

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Last updated June 6th 2008