Benefits of Taking a Fish Oil Supplement - By: Jeff Enfield

Fish oil supplements are a fantastic way to complement your already healthy eating habits by providing you with additional sources of healthy fats such as Omega-3 fatty acids as well as polyunsaturated fats. Here are some of the benefits that taking a fish oil supplement can do for you and your body.

1. Reduce inflammation and possibly pain:

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 acids, specifically EPA which is eicosapentaenoic acid, is particularly effective at combating inflammation. This response can help with conditions such as arthritis and joint pain.

2. Better Cardiovascular Health:

Healthy fatty acids thin out the blood, which can help break up blood clots and plaque buildup in the arteries. This leads to lower blood pressure. It also helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides while at the same time raising HDL, or the good cholesterol. With regular use of fish oil supplements, the risk of non-fatal heart attacks, fatal heart attacks, and sudden death dramatically decrease.

3. Cancer Prevention:

Many clinical studies have reported that the regular intake of dietary omega-3 fish oil supplements help reduce the risk of developing breast, colon, and prostate cancer. If you have cancer, omega-3 fatty acids are often recommended and may help reduce the growth of cancerous cells.

4. Increase Brain Function:

Omega-3 fatty acids are also high in DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, which is a very important substance for brain function. DHA makes cell membranes more fluid which improves communication between brain cells. Consequently, a lack of omega-3 can cause a communication break down and can lead to short term memory loss, feelings of fogginess, and lack of concentration.

A fish oil supplement is especially important for pregnant and nursing mothers as the omega-3 fatty acids are passed from the mother's blood through to the fetus, or in the case of a lactating mother through the breast milk. The amount of DHA the baby received plays an important role in development of intelligence and vision.

5. Aid in mental and emotional disorders:

It has been shown that deficiencies in omega-3's can lead to mental and emotional disorders in otherwise healthy adults. Low levels of DHA are linked to disorders such as memory loss, depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficiency disorder, autism, and various learning disabilities. Omega-3's can help regulate mood by increasing levels of serotonin, the feel good hormone.

There is a reason why fish is called "brain food", but for people who don't enjoy fish, you can now take a supplement that contains the same benefits, without the taste.

About the Author

Jeff likes to write on diverse subjects and has been doing so for several years. His most recent web page is http://kitchenaidblenderparts.org which provides people with information on the KitchenAid hand blender.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Jeff-Enfield/98478

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