Fish oil is a supplement derived from fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring, salmon, lake trout and sardines. The oil from these fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have a number of beneficial effects on the human body. You can take fish oil for many different health problems and it is likely to be safe for you to use, but you should still talk to your doctor before using this supplement.
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat that your body cannot make. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, omega-3 fatty acids are important for the function of your muscles, fertility, your immune system, blood clotting, digestion, cell division, growth and calcium transportation. Because you cannot make these fats, your body can only get them if you consume foods or supplements with omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil.
Stroke and Heart Attack Prevention
The most common use of fish oil supplements is for reducing your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. According to MayoClinic.com, fish oil can reduce your blood pressure, which reduces the strain on your cardiovascular system. Fish oil also lowers your levels of triglycerides,a type of fat associated with a heart attack and stroke. The fats in fish oil also prevent your platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots, which can stop blood flow to your brain and heart.
Other Uses
Because fish oil is needed for your brain to work properly, some people use it to treat psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit-hyperactive disorder and schizophrenia. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce inflammation in the body, which means that they can be used to treat health problems caused by excessive inflammation, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and allergies, the University of Maryland Medical Center states.
Safety
Fish oil is safe for most people to consume. Large doses can cause bleeding problems because the fatty acids interfere with the ability of your body to form blood clots. Consequently, taking fish oil can cause you to bleed or bruise easily, particularly if you take other medications, such as aspirin and warfarin, that thin the blood. Talk to your doctor before taking fish oil.
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