Omega-3 fish oil comes from fish sources or dietary supplements, according to Medline Plus, a website supported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Fish sources that contain significant amounts of omega-3, an essential fatty acid, include salmon, mackerel, anchovy, herring, trout, tuna and sardines. Omega-3 fish oil supplements can be used for several health conditions.
Benefits for the Heart
According to Mayo Clinic.com, a healthy heart is one of the benefits of taking omega-3 fish oil supplements. This essential fatty acid helps lower the the risk for heart disease and stroke. Omega-3 fish oil is a type of unsaturated fatty acid that can effectively reduce inflammation in the body. It can also lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting as well as decrease triglyceride levels. Taking omega-3 fish oil supplements is similar to eating two servings of fish that are approximately 3 oz. each or 85 g.
Depression
Omega-3 fish oil supplements can help reduce depression as described in Medline Plus. This essential fatty acid plays an important role in brain function. Medline Plus states that when fish oil is taken together with conventional antidepressant medications, the therapeutic response improves significantly and the symptoms of depression improve. The presence of low omega-3 in plasma and blood is linked to depression. In countries where people eat a lot of fish, the incidence of depression is less common.
Asthma
According to Mayo Clinic.com, omega-3 fish oil can improve asthma by reducing inflammation in the air passages. This supplement helps reduce the need for asthma medications in children, but according to Medline Plus, this benefit has not been seen in adults with asthma.
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