Food-grade fish oil is fit for human consumption. Derived from fatty fish, fish oil is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplements, taken as capsules or in liquid form, add this essential fatty acid to your diet for optimizing your health without the need to eat fish or, alternatively, for treating a specific disorder. Seek the advice of a dietitian or physician before adding food-grade fish oil to your nutritional plan.
Background
The skin, livers and fat deposits of cold-water fatty fish, such tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, trout, sardines, bluefish and anchovies, are abundant in healthy fats, including the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. Food-grade fish oil typically comes from mackerel, tuna, salmon, halibut, herring, cod livers and whale or seal blubber. These food-grade fish oil supplements may also include vitamin E to prolong shelf life or other vitamins and minerals to boost their nutrient content.
Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential to your diet, meaning your body is unable to manufacture them. These fatty acids give your cell membranes their fluid structure, allowing them to regulate which biological substances move through the cell under healthy conditions. The essential fatty acids in fish oil play a vital role in nerve and brain function, including learning. Additionally, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids work in concert to help regulate your immune system. Omega-6 fatty acids stimulate the inflammatory process while omega-3 fatty acids help to slow it down. Your dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids may influence your susceptibility to inflammatory disorders, and the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in food-grade fish oil help keep your diet well balanced in this regard.
Benefits
Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, are associated with cardiovascular benefits. For example, consuming high levels of dietary omega-3 fatty acids may increase your good cholesterol, decrease your blood triglycerides, stabilize your blood pressure and slow the development of blood clots and arterial plagues that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Food-grade fish oil may help relieve symptoms of arthritis, an inflammatory condition, and lupus, an autoimmune disease. Dry eyes and dry skin may also be relieved with fish oil supplements.
Cautions
Fish oil supplements can cause unpleasant breath as well as heartburn and belching. You may experience gastrointestinal upset from food-grade fish oil, although this effect is less likely if you take it with meals. Consuming more than 3 g on a daily basis may increase your tendency to bleed, and, in fact, fish oil supplements may be contraindicated if you take blood-thinning medications. Consult your health care provider for guidance on mixing food-grade fish oil with any drugs.
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