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Oil from fish contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); both are omega-3 fatty acids.
Where is it found?
EPA and DHA are found in mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, sablefish (black cod), anchovies, albacore tuna, and wild game. Cod liver oil contains large amounts of EPA and DHA. Fish oil supplements typically contain 18%EPA and 12% DHA, though more purified (i.e. higher in EPA and DHA) fish oil supplements are sometimes available. In addition, DHA is available in a supplement that does not contain significant amounts of EPA.
Benefits of Omega 3 Fish Oil
Omega 3 supplement has shown remarkable results in
* Crohns disease (enteric-coated, free-fatty-acid form of fish oil)
* High blood pressure
* High triglycerides
* Rheumatoid arthritis
It also help in
* Asthma
* Atherosclerosis
* Bipolar disorder
* Breast-feeding support
* Cardiac arrhythmia (do not take, or take only with a doctor's supervision, if there is a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation)
* Cystic fibrosis (EPA)
* Depression
* Eczema
* Heart attack
* Immune function (omega-3 fatty acids for critically ill and post surgery patients only)
* Intermittent claudication (in combination with vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin E, oleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid)
* Kidney disease
* Lupus
* Macular degeneration (in combination with acetyl-L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10)
* Multiple sclerosis
* Osteoporosis (in combination with evening primrose oil)
* Phenylketonuria (if deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids)
* Pre- and post-surgery health
* Pregnancy and postpartum support (to prevent premature delivery)
* Psoriasis
* Raynauds disease
* Schizophrenia
* Sickle cell anemia
* Ulcerative colitis
How It Works?
Omega 3 fats are used to make cell membranes, sex hormones and hormone-like chemicals known as series 3 prostaglandins. These perform a wide variety of functions in your body: they helps to thin the blood and break down blood cloths, and also reduce the amount of harmful fats in the blood, which contributes to the risk of heart attacks.
They improve immune system function by reducing inflammation, and help to maintain your body;s water balance.
These fats are crucial for a baby's brain development during pregnancy.
How much Omega 3 Do You Need?
If you have eat several portions of fatty fish per week, you probably no need omega 3 supplement.
Several omega 3 supplements in the market are added with vitamin E, Vitamin E helps to prevent the fish oil from turning rancid. Some evidence suggests that adding vitamin E to fish oil may prevent the fish oil-induced increase in blood sugar levels.
Allan Tan Kim Kia is an nutrition scholar and author of Best Vitamin Supplements Guide who provides tips and advice how to choose and where to buy vitamin supplements online. More Vitamin Information
