Although you need omega-3 fatty acids for health, growth and development, your body can't make these unsaturated fats that are critical for reducing inflammation in the body. Salmon provides 1.5g of omega-3 fatty acids per 4-ounce serving. MayoClinic.com recommends eating omega-3-rich fish oils like salmon twice weekly for maximum benefit.
Heart Health
Consuming omega-3 fatty acid-rich salmon offers a variety of heart-healthy benefits. MayoClinic.com reports that eating one to two servings of salmon weekly reduces heart disease risk, especially sudden cardiac death. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce triglyceride levels, increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduce high blood pressure in people with hypertension, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fish oil also cuts the risk of atherosclerosis and blood clots; having fish on the menu twice a week drops a person's stroke risk by 50 percent.
Cancer Protection
Salmon oil could reduce your risk of colon cancer or prevent it from getting worse in people with the disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Eating foods like salmon may also protect women from developing breast cancer and men from developing prostate cancer.
Arthritis
People with the inflammatory joint disease rheumatoid arthritis who take fish oil report less joint stiffness and pain, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although clinical studies indicate that omega-3 fatty acids do not stop the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, people who eat a salmon-rich diet may not require as much non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Mental Health
Consuming the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon oil could improve symptoms of several mental health disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Skin Problems
People with the inflammatory skin disorder psoriasis who took omega-3 fatty acids along with their prescription medicines noticed more improvement in skin symptoms than patients who took only medicines, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. In addition, researchers of a small study of people with photodermatitis, a skin disorder that causes blistering and rashes upon exposure to sunlight, found that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements made patients less sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Member Comments