Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, halibut and herring, or in fish oil supplements, offer many health benefits. They are studied for their use in treating numerous ailments and diseases, from arthritis, to depression to ADHD. However, there are some conditions for which omega-3 fish oil is already being used as a treatment.
Reduce Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a wax-like substance within the body that is necessary for producing hormones and healthy cell membranes. The problem with cholesterol lies in having too much of it floating around your bloodstream, as it can build up on arterial walls can cause blockages, heart attacks and even death.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil help reduce cholesterol levels by raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. In the 2005 issue of "Circulation," the journal published by the American Heart Association, Dr. Peter Toth explains that HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, acts as a "mop" and cleans the bad cholesterol off the arterial walls and carries through the bloodstream and back to the liver, where it is then processed for elimination from the body by way of the urine.
Triglycerides, which are often measured along with cholesterol levels, also benefit from omega-3s in fish oil. The Feb. 12, 2010 issue of the "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism" report a study conducted by a team of researchers from University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany and led by A. Hauenschild. In this study, the researchers found that when patients who had high cholesterol and triglyceride levels were treated with omega-3 fatty acids, there was a significant reduction in both levels and the reduction took place within seven days of treatment, as opposed to standard drug treatments, which can take several weeks to notice a reduction.
Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
High cholesterol and heart disease go hand in hand, as the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries causes plaque, which can cause the arteries to harden and block blood flow. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that consuming omega-3s from fish oil not only reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but the omega-3s also reduce the risk of high blood pressure, slow the development of plaque and blood clots and help prevent abnormal heart rhythms, all of which contribute to heart disease and possible sudden death.
Increase Bone Density
While the effects of omega-3s on cholesterol and heart disease are often publicized, the use of omega-3 in bone health is not as widely known. The March 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reports a study from the Department of Surgical and Perioperative Science at Umea University in Sweden, in which omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) increased bone minerals and therefore bone density in the subjects used in the study. This is especially important for women to take note of, especially those going through menopause, which is a time of life in which bones begin to weaken.
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