Fish oil is a popular nutritional supplement, and its benefits are mainly derived from the omega-3 essential fatty acids, or EFAs, that are found in fish oil. Fish oil is a good source of two important omega-3's--eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Omega-3 fats are essential because your body cannot make them , so you must obtain them through your diet.
Omega-3s and Fish Oil
Phyllis Balch says in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" that the omega-3 EFAs contained in fish oil are beneficial in many medicinal purposes. Balch explains that every living cell in your body requires EFAs to function properly, and EFAs are considered essential for rebuilding and producing new cells, as well as for the production of important hormones. The EFAs contained in fish oil are also thought to produce an anti-inflammatory effect on your entire body
The Treatment of Inflammatory Disorders
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties of the EFAs, fish oil may treat a variety of inflammatory disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and acne, as well as all other inflammatory disorders of the skin, says Laura Shane-McWhorter, in her book "Guide to Herbs and Nutritional Supplements."
The Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
According to Balch, EFAs support brain development and function, and fish oil supplements may treat psychiatric disorders. In fact, the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition says there is a strong correlation between neurological impairment and EFA deficiencies, and fish oil may help treat depression, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and seizure disorders.
Diabetic Related Benefits
McWhorter says fish oil may also prevent type 2 diabetes, and it may increase the effectiveness of diabetes drugs. It is also suspected to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in diabetes sufferers, which is especially beneficial because those are the two main causes of death for diabetics.
Cardiovascular Disease Benefits
McWhorter says fish oil is perhaps most well known for treating cardiovascular disease, and numerous studies have confirmed its efficacy for this use. Fish oil is believed to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, prevent the formation of clots in the blood vessels, and reduce overall risk of arteriosclerosis. Fish oil may also lower the risk of heart attacks, but more research needs to be done to confirm this theory. Finally, Balch says fish oil may lower high blood pressure and it may therefore be beneficial for hypertension sufferers.
Precautions
Fish oil may cause heartburn, nausea and a fishy aftertaste, and it may increase the effectiveness of certain medications. McWhorter warns that large doses may also increase blood sugar and raise unhealthy levels of low-density lipoprotein, abbreviated LDL and known as the "bad" cholestereol, so it is important that you talk to your health care practitioner before supplementing with fish oil.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Third Edition"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Guide to Herbs and Nutritional Supplements"; Laura Shane-Mcwhorter; 2009
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stadler Mitrea; 2008
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