| Have you ever wondered: what does fish oil do to | | | | Studies have been done that show improved control in |
| improve my health? I know I did, and you may have | | | | those with asthma that eat foods rich in EPA and |
| wondered the same thing. Let me try to clear things up | | | | DHA on a weekly basis because it lowers the level of |
| for you. | | | | airway narrowing (which causes restriction of |
| Fish contains omega 3, which is an essential fatty acid. | | | | breathing during an asthma attack) and calms |
| "Essential" means that we need it to maintain normal | | | | inflammation. |
| body functions, however we must actually consume it | | | | Mothers who increase their intake of these fatty acids |
| in the foods we eat or take a quality supplement as | | | | during pregnancy may also help protect their babies |
| our body cannot produce it on its own. | | | | against the development of various allergies. |
| Docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic | | | | 4. Improves visual health and function: Various studies |
| acid (EPA) are the two most important omega-3's. So | | | | have shown that regular consumption of DHA and |
| what exactly does fish oil do for you that makes it so | | | | EPA is linked to a lowered risk of age related macular |
| essential? Here are five short answers to that | | | | degeneration, which is the leading cause of severe |
| question. | | | | visual loss in people over 50. Omega-3 fatty acids |
| 1. Improves Brain Health: This is the big one. 60% of the | | | | form an important part in the building blocks of the |
| human brain is comprised of fat, and approximately | | | | retina, which is used for fine focus tasks such as |
| half of that is from a form of omega 3. That means | | | | reading. Intake of fish oil may also improve focus, color, |
| approximately 1/3 of our brain needs this essential | | | | perception and clarity of vision. |
| fatty acid to function properly. | | | | 5. Overall improvement of cardiovascular health: |
| Fatty acids are also essential in the formation of the | | | | Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading |
| brain's nerve cell membranes and membrane fluidity. | | | | cause of death in the United States. A diet rich in fatty |
| Since nerve cell function depends on membrane | | | | acids (especially EPA and DHA) has been proven to |
| functioning and membrane fluidity, changes in it have a | | | | benefit heart health in many ways, such as lowering |
| negative effect on behavior, mood and mental function. | | | | triglycerides, lowering mild hypertension, preventing |
| Depression, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty | | | | blood clots, reducing heart irregularities such as |
| concentrating, problems with memory and other | | | | arrhythmia's, and improving circulation problems such |
| disorders have all been associated with a deficiency | | | | as varicose veins and Raynaud's disease. |
| of omega 3. | | | | The American Heart Association guidelines |
| 2. Eases aches and pains from arthritis: Omega 3 has | | | | recommends two servings a week of fish for healthy |
| incredible anti-inflammatory properties. This leads to | | | | persons and a daily serving containing at least 900mg |
| altogether better joint function and less pain for arthritis | | | | for persons with heart disease. |
| sufferers, including those with rheumatoid arthritis and | | | | So, what does fish oil do to improve your health? |
| other inflammatory forms of arthritis. Eicosapentaenoic | | | | These five answers are only a handful of the many |
| acid and Docosapentaenoic acid actually reduce the | | | | important benefits regular consumption of DHA and |
| amount of compounds causing inflammation in the | | | | EPA provides to both healthy persons and those with |
| body. | | | | existing medical conditions. The best bet for your |
| 3. Protects against allergies: DHA and EPA have been | | | | health is to start including more of these essential fatty |
| found to protect against symptoms of hay fever, | | | | acids in your diet, or through a supplement that |
| asthma, food allergies, sinus infections, and even | | | | provides the same great advantages. |
| allergic skin conditions such as hives and eczema. | | | | |