Pave the Road to a Healthy & Active Lifestyle with Fish Oil Written by Dr Kelly Upcott

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

Remember when you were a kid and mom made you take a tablespoon of cod liver oil daily?  Well fish oils have come along way since then 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 for Zoomers provided by Omega-3 fish oil.

Omega-3 fatty acids are “good fats” that are essential for Zoomer health. Like vitamins and minerals, Omega-3 fats must be provided by our diet as they are 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 brain function, whereas EPA is the key fat for total body health.  Fish oil is rich in both.

Many Zoomers 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 acids.  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, and the development of Parkinson’s disease.  Dopamine helps get Zoomers 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.

Pain usually stems from inflammation of the body’s tissues, whether they are 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 Zoomers are living with like arthritis, prostatitis, or cystitis, as well as fibromyalgia and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Fish oil is also well known for its ability to do wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system.  Studies has proven fish oils can lower your LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides and blood pressure while raising your HDL (good cholesterol) levels and reduce a Zoomer’s risk of stroke and heart attack.

Further studies have shown that Omega-3 fish oil helps prevent three of the most common forms of cancer – breast, colon and prostate. Science tells us that Omega-3s accomplish this in three ways: by stopping the alteration from a normal healthy cell to a cancerous one, by inhibiting unwanted cellular growth and by causing cell death to cancerous cells.

The benefits of fish oil are well documented and far-reaching for Zoomers.  In addition to disease prevention 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.  A high quality Omega-3 supplement is something every Zoomer should have in their life.

Be advised, not all fish oil supplements are of the same quality. Be sure that your supplementary 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 typically more expensive but worth every penny.  Your body and brain deserve nothing less. A capsule can help keep the oil fresh longer, however if you have difficulty swallowing pills liquid fish oil packs a punch in just one teaspoon. For Zoomers 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, or suffer from inflammatory disorders then you will need much more fish oil, more like 10 to 25 grams per day.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content in Fish :

As you can see from the chart above, Zoomers would need to eat several servings of oily fish every single day to achieve even minimal amounts of EPA and DHA from food alone. With the benefits of optimal fish oil consumption so far reaching, I strongly recommend every Zoomer make an Omega-3 fish oil supplement as part of their daily regime for disease prevention and longevity.