Fish oil is a supplement derived from fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and salmon. The oil from these fish has a number of different beneficial effects, and it can protect you from heart disease and inflammatory conditions. These supplements are generally safe, but you should talk to your doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains, are unsaturated fats that, despite playing an important role in your health, cannot be made by your body. These fats can be found in fatty fish, flax seed oil, tofu and many vegetable oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain function and they also regulate your immune system and blood lipids. Fish oil contains eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, also known as EPA and DHA; these omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for the body.
Fish Oil and Heart Disease
One of the main benefits of taking fish oil supplements is that they reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil lower your blood pressure, MayoClinic.com states, which reduces stress on your heart. These beneficial fats also reduce your blood levels of triglycerides, a type of lipid that increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Fish oil also helps to prevent platelets from initiating blood clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Other Uses
Fish oil has other uses. For example, the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for brain function has led many people to use fish oil to treat depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and attention deficit-hyperactive disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids also inhibit inflammation in the body. This makes fish oil useful for the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, allergies and asthma.
Side Effects
Although fish oil is generally safe, some people develop heartburn, indigestion and diarrhea after taking it. Because omega-3 fatty acids prevent blood clot formation, they can cause your blood to become too thin, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. The maximum recommended dose is 3 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day, so if you take supplements with 1,200 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per tablet or capsule, the most you should take is two pills per day.
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