Fish oil contains the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaneoic acid and docosahexaneoic acid. Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and endometrial cancer, relieve inflammation from autoimmune diseases and improve mental health. Fish with the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids include cold-water fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, sardines, halibut and mackerel. You can obtain fish oil by eating these fish or consuming supplements.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the top cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart disease. Coronary artery disease is characterized by plaque made from cholesterol and saturated fat that builds up inside your arteries and prevents the flow of oxygenated blood to your heart. Consuming fish oil from eating fish can reduce your cholesterol levels and risk of coronary artery disease. Research by scientists at the University of South Dakota and published in "Current Atherosclerosis Reports" in 2008 evaluated epidemiological studies on the association between omega-3 acids from fish and cardiovascular health and found that consuming 400 to 500 mg per day of eisosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaneoic acid through diet can significantly reduce the risk for death from coronary artery disease in healthy adults.
Cancer
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may reduce your risk of cancer. Research by scientists at the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management at the National Cancer Center in Gyeonggi, South Korea, and published in "BMC Cancer" in 2009 discovered that high consumption of fatty fish is associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer. The research concludes that as intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish increases, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer decreases.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur anytime in your life, but you are more prone to it as you age. Consuming fish oil may reduce your risk of hearing loss. Research by scientists at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia, and published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2010 discovered that increasing consumption of fish reduces the risk of age-related hearing loss. The research also found that increasing total consumption of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from fish and supplements also reduces the risk of age-related hearing loss.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a mental health condition that affects children and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. It is characterized by overactivity and difficulty in staying focused, paying attention and controlling behavior. Fish oil supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Research by scientists at the Department of Pediatrics at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center in Montreal, Quebec, and published in "Paediatrics and Child Health" in 2009 discovered that children with ADHD who use omega-3 supplements achieve and maintain symptom control. The research also showed that supplements of omega-3 fatty acid are safe and are tolerated by children. Consult your doctor before taking supplements or providing supplements to children.
References
- MedlinePlus; Fish Oil; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; 2010
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention; Leading Causes of Death; 2009
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention; Heart Disease Facts; 2010
- "Current Atherosclerosis Reports"; Intakes of Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Associated with Reduced Risk for Death from Coronary Heart Disease in Healthy Adults; William Harris, et al.; Dec 2008
- "BMC Cancer"; Fatty Fish and Fish Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intakes Decrease the Breast Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study; Jeongseon Kim, et al.; 2009
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