Pave The Road To Wellness With Fish Oil Written by Dr Kelly Upcott

Remember when every kid had to take a tablespoon of cod liver oil daily?  Well fish oils have come along way since those days as far as taste, quality and research. Studies are published almost daily as the scientific community discovers more and more of the many extraordinary benefits of Omega-3 fish oil.

Omega-3 fatty acids are “good fats” that are essential for optimal health. Like vitamins and minerals, omega-3 must be provided by our diet as it is not produced by our bodies. EPA and DHA are the active forms of Omega-3 required by the body to perform vital functions. DHA is the key fat for the brain, whereas EPA is the key fat for overall health.  Fish oil is rich in both.  Insufficient Omega-3 intake can have a significant impact on most diseases and health concerns.

Many people blame their mental decline on age but brain wellness depends on increased blood flow and decreased inflammation.  The brain loves DHA and it can’t perform at peak levels without adequate supplies of Omega-3 fatty acid.  More than 60% of the weight of the brain is fat, and most of the Omega-3 fatty acids in the body are concentrated in the brain.  High doses of fish oil can help maintain adequate levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, thereby reducing depression, dementia, attention deficit disorder and the development of Parkinson’s disease.  Dopamine helps get you geared into action, enhancing your brain’s ability to concentrate on the task at hand.  Serotonin is your “feel good” hormone.  It gives you a sense of well-being and allows you to handle stress more easily. Research shows that pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with fish oil, as well as reducing their children’s chances of developing ADD, asthma and allergies.

Pain usually stems from inflammation of the body’s tissues, whether they be muscles or joints. High doses of fish oil reduce arachidonic acid, the hormone responsible for pain and inflammation.  By regulating your inflammatory response, fish oil can prevent and treat many painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, or cystitis, as well as fibromyalgia and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Fish oil is well known for its ability to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system.  They can lower your LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides and blood pressure while raising your HDL (good cholesterol) levels and reducing your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Omega-3 fish oil has been shown to help prevent three of the most common forms of cancer – breast, colon and prostate. Science tells us that Omega-3s accomplish this in three ways: they stop the alteration from a normal healthy cell to a cancerous one, they inhibit unwanted cellular growth and cause cell death to cancer cells.

The benefits of fish oil are far-reaching.  Some of the other noticed benefits of supplementing with fish oils are healthier hair, stronger nails, radiant skin, improved metabolism, and more get-up and go.  Everyone can benefit from Omega-3 fatty acids in their life.

Not all fish oil supplements are of the same quality. Be sure that your fish oil is pharmaceutical-grade.  Low-grade fish oil may cause gastrointestinal problems like bloating and diarrhea and they often leave a bad taste in the mouth, not to mention that they may contain mercury, PCB’s and DDT.  Pharmaceutical-grade fish oil contains approximately 5 mgs of Omega-3 fatty acids in 1 teaspoon or 5 capsules.  These fish oils are more expensive but worth every penny.  Your body and brain deserve nothing less.  Taking 1 teaspoonful of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil will cost a little less then $1 a day.  Liquid fish oil packs more punch per teaspoon but for those who dislike the taste try sucking on a slice of citrus fruit for five seconds before taking your fish oil.   

Most people who are supplementing with fish oil do not take enough to notice the therapeutic benefits, and most over-the-counter fish oils contain only small amounts of EPA and DHA. You should try and consume at least 2.5 grams per day of Omega-3 fatty acids.  If you suffer from any chronic illness such as Alzheimer’s, ADD, or suffer from inflammatory disorders than you will need much more fish oil, more like 10 to 25 grams per day.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content in Fish :

Review of Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) functions in the body:

• Promotes cardiovascular health
• Reduces inflammation
• Supports mental focus and cognitive function
• Supports positive mood and emotional well-being
• Promotes brain, eye and nervous system health
• Supports healthy immune system function and decreases cancer risk
• Enhances appearance of skin and hair
• Promotes optimal fat metabolism