Many people run for cover when they hear the words oils and. What a lot of people don’t know however is that there are good fats and bad fats. And that to completely avoid consuming oils and fats would do more harm to you rather than benefit you
The Truth about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – we could not lead a healthy life without them.
Essential fatty acids are divided into two families:
- Omega-6 EFAs.
- Omega-3 EFAS.
While there are only very slight differences to differentiate the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have discovered that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs which can be found in vegetable can lead to:
- Inflammation.
- Blood clotting.
- Tumor growth.
However the opposite is true for omega EFAs which can be found in fish oils.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Most scientists and physicians share the same belief that the cause behind increasing cases of:
- Heart disease.
- Hypertension or high blood pressure.
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Premature aging.
- Certain kinds of cancer.
Are results of an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As mentioned above, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to soy oil and corn oil, both of which contain high amounts of linoleic acid.
Omega-3 EFAs can be found in:
- Marine plankton.
- Walnut oil.
- Flaxseed oil.
One should take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are fatty acids that have been known to offer many benefits to the human body.
A study done on the Greenland Eskimos In the early 1970’s have revealed that one of the main reasons they seldom suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet which mainly consists of fish.
EPA and DHA which are two essential fatty acids are also helpful in preventing:
- Atherosclerosis.
- Heart attacks.
- Depression.
- Various forms of cancer.
Fish oil supplemented foods have also proven to be valuable in treating illnesses like:
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Diabetes.
- Raynaud’s disease.
- Ulcerative colitis.
Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Making the Heart Healthier
Inarguably the heart is one of the most vital organs in our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to experience a rather limited lifespan.
Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way to do that is to eat plenty of foods that contain fish oil.
A study was done in Athens, Greece, to see if there was a direct connection between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels.
The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, which are both factors that are commonly used to measure the likelihood of blood vessel inflammation.
These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.
Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study revealed that fish consumption can be used to combat hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
Individuals who suffer from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived unhealthy. They will be pleased to know that certain studies have discovered the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals.
Data shows that approximately 20 to 25% of children suffer one form or another of asthma at a certain point in their lives. And certain proof reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study in which a number of children were giving a high-fish diet while others eat their regular diet.
Results discovered that the individuals who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe much easily.
Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but total avoidance of a certain food type is just as harmful.
Speak with your nutritionist about what the right amount of fish intake is for your age and health status.