Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids that are lacking in most Western diets, which tend to have 20 to 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids. If you don't eat fish a couple of times a week, there's a good chance you have an imbalance of omega-6 fatty acids over omega-3 fatty acids. This imbalance promotes inflammatory processes. Fish oil helps restore the balance of fatty acids and decreases the risk for various adverse conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Fish oil generally has few, mild side effects, but some people do develop some, including dizziness.
How It Works
Fish oil contains two types of essential fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which you must obtain from dietary sources. DHA and EPA are found in walnuts, algae and flaxseed, as well as in various types of seafood, particularly in cold water fish such as tuna, salmon, herring, halibut, herring, cod, pollack, catfish and mackerel. Cell membranes are made of fat. These semi-permeable walls contain the contents of the cell and allow only certain type of compounds through the walls. A proper balance of omega-3 fatty acids enhances the fluidity of the cell walls. Omega-3 fatty acids also protects the walls against damage by free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that steal electrons from cells and tissues. Omega-3 fatty acids also promotes the release of a compound, ceramide, that triggers the expression of a tumor suppressor gene, which kills cancer cells.
Prostaglandins
Omega-3 fatty acids also promote the production of hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins participate in many physiological processes, such as regulation of blood pressure, nerve transmission, blood clotting, allergic responses, inflammatory responses and kidney, brain and gastrointenstinal tract function. EPA and DHA are used in the synthesis of series 3 prostaglandins, which improve blood flow, reduce blood platelet aggregation and reduce inflammation.
Benefits
Because of these systemic effects, fish oil produces many health benefits. It lowers triglycerides, reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, menstrual pain, psoriasis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and several forms of cancer, including prostate, colon, endometrial and breast. About 60 percent of your brain's mass and 70 percent of the myelin sheath that protects your neurons consists of fatty acids. Fatty acids also play a critical role in the biochemical communication that takes place in your brain using dopamine and serotonin. Consequently, fish oil can enhance cognitive functioning and improve mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center and MedLine Plus.
Side Effects
Some people experience side effects of fish oil. For example, the positive effect it has on prostaglandin production can create problems for some people. Fish oil thins your blood, which generally enhances blood flow, but if you are already taking blood thinners, such as clopedigrel, warfarin or aspirin, or if you are simply unaccustomed to the increased blood flow, you might experience dizziness or become prone to swelling or excessive bleeding. Fish oil can also lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, so it may be necessary to adjust diabetes medications such as metformin, insulin, flipizide and glyburide. Harvard Health Publications advises that people with severe angina, lethal ventricular rhythms or seriously compromised heart functions may not be good candidates for supplementation with fish oil. While many mild side effects to fish oil clear up after a couple weeks, if you feel dizziness; arm, chest, jaw or back pain; difficulty breathing; fast or irregular heart beat; sweating; nausea; tightness in the chest; or wheezing, consult with your physician immediately.
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