You've probably noticed that fish oil supplements are promoted as a panacea for numerous ailments. The hype can leave you feeling skeptical, but the benefits of fish oil have been backed up by sound scientific evidence. Fish oil supplements are derived from a variety of fish sources, such as mackerel, herring tuna, salmon and whale blubber. You can reap the benefits of fish oil by eating baked or broiled fish, or by taking fish oil supplements.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids called omega-3. Your body cannot manufacture these fatty acids on its own -- you need to obtain them through dietary sources. The Western diet typically contains 10 times as much omega-6 fatty acid as it does omega-3, according to Mayo Clinic. In order to achieve maximum health, these two essential fatty acids need to be more closely balanced. The Linus Pauling Institute suggests that increasing the proportion of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may have numerous positive effects on your health.
EPA
There are two forms of omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil: eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docohexaenoic acid, or DHA. Each offers different health benefits. EPA is associated with the cardiovascular and immune systems, and plays a role in the inflammatory response. EPA may help decrease inflammation in your body. Inflammation is a necessary part of your immune system's ability to fight disease and heal injury, but chronic inflammation has been liked to a host of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
DHA
DHA is needed for the proper development of the nervous system and eyes during the first 6 months after your birth. As an adult, DHA contributes to your brain function. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that DHA has been used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with mixed results. Taken along with EPA in fish oil, DHA may help relieve menstrual cramps as well as the symptoms of lupus, Raynaud syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lower Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats that are present in your body and in the foods you eat. When you have high concentrations of triglycerides in your blood, you are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Perhaps the most pervasive use of fish oil is to decrease high levels of serum triglyceride. Fish oil achieves this by decreasing your body's production of serum triglyceride. Using fish oil along with diet and exercise can decrease your triglycerides and increase your heart health.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
- Linus Pauling Institute: Essential Fatty Acids
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Drugs.com: Fish Oil
- American Pregnancy Association: Omega-3 Fish OIl and Pregnancy
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