Fish oil provides a variety of health benefits through eating fish or taking fish oil supplements. Many fish and fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which play vital functions in the body. Omega-3s aid in growth and development, make cell membranes for brain capabilities and prevent blood clotting. More importantly, fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids may protect against heart disease and have potential uses for treatment or prevention of other conditions.
Fish with Omega-3s
You can only get omega-3 fatty acids through foods because the body does not make the nutrients. Fish high in omega-3s include tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, halibut, freshwater trout, sturgeon, mullet, anchovy and bluefish. MayoClinic.com recommends eating fish rich in omega-3s twice a week for heart health. Fish oil supplements are usually made from fish containing high amounts of omega-3s.
Heart Disease
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, leads to heart disease as blood flow to the heart slows down following plaque buildup from excess cholesterol in the bloodstream. Fish oil containing omega-3s may treat and prevent atherosclerosis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat, which helps lower cholesterol, fatty triglycerides and blood pressure --- risk factors for heart disease. Fish oil may lower blood pressure for people who have high blood pressure. The oil may help widen blood vessels to normalize pressure, MedlinePlus points out.
Fish Oil and HDL
Fish oil may improve cholesterol levels by raising HDL, known as the good cholesterol. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream comes from LDL, or the bad cholesterol, which forms plaques on the inner walls of the arteries to slow blood flow to the heart. HDL gathers excess cholesterol in the arteries and brings it to the liver for disposal. People who practice the Mediterranean diet, which includes a high amount of fish and less meat, and Inuit Eskimos, who eat lots of omega-3-rich fish, have high levels of HDL, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Promising Treatments
Fish oil alone or taken with other treatments may help relieve morning stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis and reduce menstrual pain. Fish oil may also improve conditions for patients with depression and bipolar disorder. Depression appears less common in countries with high fish consumption, according to MedlinePlus. Children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder may see improvements in mental ability and behavior when taking fish oil. Fish oil may slow bone loss in the thigh bone and spine for elderly people suffering from osteoporosis.
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