Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats your body can't make, so you need to get them from your diet. Important dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil and some plant oils like flaxseed oil, walnut oil, canola oil and soybean oil. Fish oil concentrate, which is derived from oily deep-water fish, provides the best source of omega-3 fatty acids. Plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids are not as effective as fish oil concentrate, and for some diseases, such as macular degeneration and prostate cancer, may even be harmful, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Heart Diseases
Fish oil is likely to be effective for reducing the risk of dying from heart diseases both in healthy adults and in people with history of heart diseases. According to MedlinePlus, fish oil concentrate with omega-3 fatty acids may improve the health of the blood vessels by lowering blood pressure, lowering triglyceride, a bad type of fats, and lowering bad cholesterol in the blood. FDA has approved a particular fish oil concentrate, Lovaza, for reducing triglycerides. Fish oil concentrate may also slow or even reverse the blockage of blood vessels, and for patients recovering from heart bypass surgery or angioplasty, prevent the re-blocking of coronary arteries and improve the success rate of the surgery.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The University of Maryland Medical Center concluded that fish oil may help to control the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease with painful joints. Taking fish oil concentrate may reduce joint pain and morning stiffness and lower the dose of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs needed for pain relief. But fish oil does not seem to slow or reverse the progression of the disease.
Depression
Depressed individuals have lower level of omega-3 fatty acids in their plasma and red blood cells than people without depression. MedlinePlus notes that taking fish oil concentrate may improve the response to conventional antidepressants. But you should check with your doctor before starting on the supplement.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Often touted a brain nutrient, fish oil may improve the thinking skills and behaviors in children with attention deficit disorder. Fish oil concentrate with omega-3 fatty acids also seems to improve the cognitive performance of children with developmental movement disorder or reading difficulties, based on the review by MedlinePlus.
Osteoporosis
Women over the age of 65 may experience less bone loss when taking fish oil concentrate compared with taking placebo, according to a study reviewed by the University of Maryland Medical Center. MedlinePlus states that taking fish oil concentrate with omega-3 fatty acids alone or combined with primrose oil and calcium may increase bone density in the elderly suffering from osteoporosis.
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