Why Should You Take Omega 3 Supplements? Because of the Dead Fish. Huh ?

Just about everybody is heard of the benefits of Omega 3 supplements. The essential fatty acids known as Omega three fatty acids are extremely important to our health. There's a wide range of health conditions which are exacerbated by a deficiency of the essential fatty acids.
In fact research is showing that if you are very low in the Omega 3 essential fats it can even lead to premature death, commonly by heart attack. The American Heart Association recommends that we increase our intake of the Omega3 fats because doing so is extremely beneficial to our heart health.
This there's a wide range of other health conditions which can also be prevented, or if not prevented them positively impacted, by increasing our intake of the essential fatty acids. These include a reduction in the risk of allergies, high blood pressure, pancreatic cancer, periodontal disease, diabetes, postpartum depression, macular degeneration, mood disorders and much more.
And the list is even longer than that.
But whilst there are a range of health conditions which are benefited from increasing our intake of Omega three fatty acids what do the dead fish have to do with it?
Unfortunately over the last few decades we have managed to pollute many of our oceans. Industrial chemicals are now present in a range of our oceans, and in particular in the Atlantic between America and Europe. These toxins include such nasties as PCBs, Dioxine, Mercury and much more.
And of course fish live in the same places. So fish which are living in the Atlantic Ocean will also come into contact with these chemical contaminants. And in fact they do. Our government is now warning us that we should be avoiding eating too much fish because of the risk of toxic contamination from eating fish which are themselves contaminated.
The omega three essential fatty acids are most commonly found in fish and fish oil. The reason in fact that most of us are deficient in our intake of the Omega three fatty acids is that our intake of fish is dramatically declined over the last century.
But here is the conundrum. Increasing our intake of fish puts us at risk of increasing chemical contamination. But now the situation is even worse.
Remember the Gulf oil spill? It wasn't that long ago, and a chemical called Corexit was being used to disperse the spill.
It is now being found that there is an enormous fish kill in the Atlantic Ocean, and large numbers of dead fish are washing up on the beaches bordering the ocean.
Whilst it has not been clearly demonstrated that the Corexit, or for that matter the oil, is killing the fish it would seem pretty coincidental.
However by taking the highest quality fish oil supplements you will be avoiding the risk of chemical contamination including, if it exists, the risk of contamination by oil or Corexit. You see guys quality fish oil supplements are made from oil from fish caught way down in the southern ocean where it is cleaner. Not totally clean mind you however the best fish oil supplements are manufactured from oil which undergoes a rigorous decontamination process in the event that there are any contaminants present.
However the majority of Omega three supplements are made with oil sourced from fish caught somewhere between the Americas and Europe.
So as you can see dead fish have quite a bit to do with taking Omega three supplements. There is a substantial risk that fish which are processed for their oil to using fish oil supplements have contamination present, possibly from Corexit. And whilst a decontamination process may remove many of these toxins is unlikely that any decontamination process would be configured to remove Corexit.
So remember, don't eat too much fish as it may be contaminated, and don't take omega three supplements made from all oil from fish caught in the Atlantic.
Use high quality fish oil supplements from fish caught way down south of New Zealand out of the way of adding oil and Corexit.

Can You Use Omega 3 Fatty Acids To Combat Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a severe cancer. It is estimated that almost 37,000 people will die from pancreatic cancer every year. Will using fish oil dietary supplements that contain daily fish oil supplements help prevent pancreatic cancer?
While cancers like prostate cancer and breast cancer are commonly in the news pancreatic cancer just isn't. But it is the 4th greatest killer in the US when it comes to cancers. Sadly the prognosis for people who experience cancer of the pancreas isn't great, and just like all cancers it is much better to prevent pancreatic cancer than it is to try to cure it.
There is a growing body of data that many cancers could well be positively benefited from a rise in the consumption of the mega 3 essential fatty acids DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid). These are known as important fatty acids because they are essential for good health, however they cannot be made in the body and must be taken in through the diet.
And during the last hundred years our consumption of Omega3 high foods has dropped considerably. The two most important of the fatty acids are EPA and DHA, and these are found mainly in seafood and in particular in oily fish, and our intakes of fish and seafood in general have dropped considerably. Other sources of the omega3 fatty acids have included grass fed beef and free range eggs, however our beef has become mainly grain fed, which decreases the Omega 3 content, and the same pertains to our eggs.
A new study done on inhabitants of the San Francisco Bay Area finds that improving the intake of omega 3 fatty acids, in conjunction with an increase in intake of vitamin E and vitamin C may lessen the risks of pancreatic cancer by up to 30 %.
Plus the study noted also that a high intake of saturated fat may in fact increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by anywhere up to 60 percent.
Obviously it is always difficult to say when this is sufficiently proved, and clearly more studies are needed, however this also lines up with other research suggesting that increasing the consumption of omega 3 fats could help prevent other cancers, in particular breast cancers and bowel cancer.
Even so the health benefits of taking high quality Omega 3 supplements are much more than just the chance of preventing pancreatic cancer. Lots of the health benefits of an increased intake of essential fatty acids are now accepted by mainstream medicine, and mainstream organizations such as the American Heart Association are suggesting that we should ımprove our intake of the essential fatty acids to avoid such health conditions as heart disease.
So whether you are worried about pancreatic cancer or you're not there's numerous benefits to be gained from increasing your intake of essential fatty acids. You do that if you take high quality fishoil dietary supplements containing Omega 3 daily.

What Are DHA Supplements And Why Shoud YOU Be Taking Them?

The growth in sales of DHA supplements has been exponential over the last few years, and for very good reasons. Lets have a look at what DHA supplements are, what they can do for your health and why so many people have taken the step of adding an Omega 3 fish oil supplement to their diet.

We have always been told that fat is bad for us. To an extent this is true, particularly saturated fat, however there are also fats which are good for us and which are considered essential for optimum health. The omega 3 fats, and in particular DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), are considered to be what is known as essential fatty acids.

They go by other names, for example long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, however the principal is that we ought to have a minimum level of intake of these fats, and in particular DHA, to maintain optimum health and to fight some health problems more successfully.

The most important source of DHA and EPA in the past has been fish in our diet. Fish, and in particular oily fish, are particularly high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Sadly over the last century our intake of fish has declined dramatically, and this has coincided with an increase in the range of serious health concerns, and particularly in the rise in heart disease and deaths from heart disease related conditions such as heart attacks.

Scientists have discovered from over 30 years of research that there is a link between a reduction in intake of fish, being excellent sources of DHA and EPA, and an increase in heart related conditions as well as quite a number of other health problems.

And in societies where the intake of fish remains high such as in Japan, these health conditions are much less prevalent.
The evidence of the health benefits of DHA and EPA is now overwhelming and such mainstream organizations as the American Heart Association are recommending minimum levels of intake of these Omega 3 essential fatty acids.
This can be achieved by eating more fish, however for most people taking dietary supplements containing DHA and EPA, sourced from fish oil, is a much more cost-effective and easy solution.
The range of conditions which, it is considered, are benefited from increasing our intake of DHA and EPA is very wide. It is now well-known that DHA has an extremely important role in development of the brain and nervous system in the fetus and baby, and for this reason many health professionals recommend pregnant or nursing women take DHA supplements, both for their own health and for the health of their developing children.

For adults and the elderly Omega-3 fatty acids are important for maintaining brain function, and adequate Omega 3 fats help with both memory and concentration. People of any age can be helped by improved nutrition by increasing their intake of Omega3 fats. Adequate levels of Omega3 fats reduce your risk of a range of heart related health problems including fatal heart attacks, as well as the risk of stroke.

This alone would be sufficient reason for most of us to start taking the highest quality DHA supplements, however there is a much wider list of health conditions which are beneficially impacted by increasing our intake of essential fatty acids.
A reduction in the risk of macular degeneration, improvements in arthritis, a reduction in the risk of various cancers, reduced symptoms of diabetes, assistance for those suffering from depression and high blood pressure are just a few. There are many more.
Of course we can always eat more fish, and this is recommended, though there are some issues relating to toxic contamination of fish with industrial chemicals. However the reality is that for most of us our intake of fish has reduced dramatically over the last century, and fish is now a luxury item because of the price.
DHA supplements, or what can also be called Omega 3 capsules or fish oil capsules, are dietary supplements specifically designed to increase our intake of DHA and EPA in a cost-effective and simple manner. They can be taken by pregnant women, children, adults and the elderly and all will benefit.
It is arguable that discovery of the importance of DHA and EPA, those all-important essential fatty acids known as Omega 3 fatty acids, is one of the most significant discoveries to impact on the maintenance of good health of our citizens over the last half century. As more and more people begin to understand the importance of eating more fish, or taking high quality DHA supplements, the more we should be able to positively impact the health of our generation.

How Do You Lower Triglycerides With Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids?

There are clear benefits of increasing your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids, the 2 most important being DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). In particular there are well established heart benefits to taking more Omega 3 in your diet, however for anyone with high triglycerides it is also now clear that increasing your intake of essential fats can help in lowering triglycerides.

Research shows that over 90 percent of us are deficient in the important essential fatty acids found in fish oil. And research has also confirmed a wide range of heart benefits from remedying that deficiency by including more fish, or fish oil in the form of supplements, in our diet.

Some of the heart benefits of increasing your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids include a reduction in the risk of arrhythmia, which can lead to fatal heart attack, a reduction in blood pressure and a decrease in the growth rate of plaque in the arteries. But for our purposes today the research also show a decrease in triglycerides levels.

Triglycerides are a fat that is found in your blood and which is manufactured in your body from the food that you eat. If you have high triglycerides this increases the risk of blood clots and can also lower your HDL (good) cholesterol. The bottom line is that high triglycerides are linked to coronary artery disease which can kill you. High triglycerides is also linked to some other diseases such as diabetes.

A diet high in fats and in particular in saturated fat can contribute to high triglyceride levels as can high sugar foods. Being overweight and drinking too much alcohol can also contribute.

So it would seem clear that lowering triglycerides, if you have a problem with a higher than normal triglyceride level, is a good thing, and for this reason there are many people trying to work out how to lower triglycerides.

There are a range of things that you can do to lower triglycerides if you have a problem, including reducing the amount of fatty foods and in particular foods was saturated fats, eating less sugar and exercising more. Also important is reducing alcohol intake and try to lose weight if you are overweight.

But it is now clear from the research that increasing your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids by way of fish oil supplementation is an important part of a strategy to help lower triglycerides.

"A dose-response relationship exists between omega-3 fatty acid intake and triglyceride lowering" is just one of the statements on the website of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Another one is that "omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil decreased serum triglyceride concentrations by 25% to 30%,". These show a clear link between adequate levels of Omega3 intake and triglyceride lowering.

It is clear that increasing the intake of Omega3 fats has a role in lowering triglycerides and for this reason the American Heart Association recommends minimum levels of DHA and EPA of 2 to 4 grams per day by way of fish oil supplements under the care of a physician for people with high triglycerides.

Many people in our society suffer from higher than recommended triglyceride levels. This then is good news for them, providing them with another weapon in the arsenal to help lower triglycerides naturally.

And there is also powerful evidence of a wide range of other health benefits from increasing your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids, and for these reasons everyone, including people with high triglycerides, should seek to maintain a minimum level of fish oil in the diet, making sure you're taking the very best fish oil supplements.

Of course it is simple to eat more fish but unfortunately fish is contaminated with mercury and is generally very expensive. There are excellent fish oil supplements available which are not contaminated and which can be taken daily very cost effectively. Note however that not all fish oil supplements are of high quality.

Is It Possible That There Is An ADHD Fish Oil Link?

Does someone in your family have ADHD? Fish oil may provide the answer. Whilst it is still not conclusively proven, it is clear that using fish oil for ADHD relief may well be worthwhile.

ADHD, or what is known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects around 7 percent of our children, mostly boys. Somewhere around 70 percent of these continue, in their adulthood, to suffer from ADHD. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown in recent studies to be important in the treatment of various mental conditions including depression and also important for the development of the fetal brain. There is now evidence that using Omega 3 for ADHD treatment may be useful.

There are studies on ADHD sufferers that show that they have very low levels of the essential fatty acids known as Omega 3 fatty acids. The 2 most important of these are the Omega 3 fats called DHA and EPA. These are mainly found in fish and fish oil and can also be taken as fish oil supplements.

The Inflammation Research Foundation has recently concluded a study of 3 boys and 6 girls who were all previously diagnosed with ADHD symptoms. The symptoms include an inability to concentrate well on any individual past over a longer period of time and disruptive behaviour such as hyperactivity.

Over 8 weeks these children were given high doses of fish oil supplements containing Omega 3 fatty acids. Over that time the levels of the Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA were monitored and other factors were also monitors which indicate the degree of their ADHD.

It was observed that their levels of EPA and DHA increased dramatically and the indicators of their degree of ADHD fell. Their inattention school almost halved from 18 to 10 and their hyperactivity score fell from 11 to 5. Both of these results are impressive for sufferers of ADHD. Omega 3 supplementation seems to have had a very noticeable affect.

Of course it's still too early to state that using fish oil for ADHD treatment can be used as a treatment on its own. But it does seem that there is clear evidence that using fish oil for ADHD relief is well worth investigating. It seems there is clear signs of an ADHD fish oil link.

It is also not clear what is the appropriate dosage of fish oil supplements for ADHD sufferers. Dosage levels in the trial were quite high, higher than that recommended for the general population.

But there is now little doubt that just about everyone in the US should be taking the best Omega 3 fish oil supplements, not just sufferers of ADHD. Omega 3 supplements benefit our health in a wide range of ways, including, it seems, in improving our mental state. It seems that adequate levels of essential fatty acids in our body to have an impact on conditions such as depression and ADHD.

There's a wide range of reasons, both the general health and to improve their mental state, why children with ADHD should be taking daily Omega 3 fish oil supplements.

Note that not all Omega 3 fish oil supplements are created equal. Many supplements have low levels of 2 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA, and do not represent good value for that reason.

Should YOU Take Omega 3 In Pregnancy?

There is now pretty much evidence of the health benefits of Omega 3 polyunsaturated fish oil. But what about when you're pregnant. Should you take fish oil in pregnancy?

This is actually several questions. Firstly is it safe to take fish oil during pregnancy? Yes. There are no documented risks to taking fish oil in pregnancy for healthy normal mothers.

Secondly, what are the benefits of Omega 3 in pregnancy? This is really 2 questions. What are the benefits to the mother, and what are the benefits to the fetus, or to the infant after birth?

Studies have shown a wide range of benefits to healthy (and unhealthy) adults from taking more Omega 3 fats. The same benefits should apply to any pregnant woman. And more, see below.

But most importantly, what are the benefits, if any, to the fetus and later infant from the mother taking fish oil supplements in pregnancy?

Well studies have shown quite a wide range of benefits. About 95% of adults in the US are deficient in DHA, the most important of the Omega 3 fatty acids. You get DHA from fish oil.

The brain is made up of a high percentage of fat, and the most common fat in the brain is DHA. It is essential for good brain development. The fetal brain develops most during the third trimester of pregnancy, and during this time has a high demand for EFAs, or essential fatty acids. If there is a deficiency there are possible implications for brain development and later performance.

Studies have suggested that taking fish oil during pregnancy and thereby boosting the supply of DHA to the fetus can have the following benefits to the fetus:

Improved brain function. Increased ability to concentrate as a child. Improvements in hand/eye coordination. Improvement in the ability to concentrate. Better sleep patterns in infancy. Improvements in visual acuity. A beneficial, or preventative effect for ADHD.

and much more.

And studies have also shown that a low level of DHA during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of premature birth and also to higher risk of needing a cesarean.

If you're pregnant you need to consider tracking down the best fish oil supplements and taking them. (Note that not all fish oil supplements are good)

That's a pretty impressive list. Lets look at the benefits of taking fish oil capsules during pregnancy to the mother again.

Lower risk of postpartum depression. Reduced risk of breast cancer. Lower risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Reduced risk of a cesarean birth.

Convinced to take fish oil supplements during your pregnancy yet? Remember, around 95% of the population are deficient in Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil, and that doesn't change when you're pregnant, unless you make it change.

Should you get your Omega 3 fats from eating fish? No problem, as long as you don't eat a lot. There are plenty of government warnings about eating fish due to mercury contamination. So how do you get your good healthy Omega 3 fats in pregnancy? Take Omega 3 capsules. The best ones aren't contaminated by mercury. But not all Omega 3 capsules are the same.

Finding Ways To Increase Your Health With Omega 3 Cooking

Unless you've been living under a rock you should know by now that getting more Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is great for your health.

Scientists are finding more and more reasons to take more Omega 3 fats into our bodies. Our hearts, our eyes, our brains, our organs, there's so many reasons to get more good fats into our body.

There's 2 essential fatty acids found in fish oil. DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, is the main one but EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) is also very important. These are the most important essential fatty acids.

And fish oil has plenty of good Omega 3 fats in it, so most Omega 3 supplements are based on fish oil.

But there is a third important essential fatty acid called ALA and it is the plant based form of Omega 3. It is converted in the body to DHA, although there is some doubt over how much is converted and for this reason DHA is considered better.

What you eat is what gives you your Omega 3. By far the best way to get a daily dose is to take fish oil supplements daily, but adding some more Omega 3 fats to your diet using some Omega 3 recipes from a good Omega 3 cookbook.

There's good fats and bad fats. The bad fats are those like saturated fat that is found in dairy foods and meat. If you start eating good fats and reduce your bad fats it will do a power of good for your health.

Olive oil has good fats. Canola oil does as has flaxseed oil. And there are foods rich in Omega 3 like walnuts, brussel sprouts and spinach, kale and salad greens.

The vegetables have ALA but if you're taking your fish oil supplements you're getting your DHA and EPA from that source. And you can eat fish but the FDA tells us not to eat too much fish due to chemical contamination.

So if you're taking the best fish oil supplements daily and you're doing some good Omega 3 cooking then you're getting the best of both worlds. So start looking for some high Omega 3 foods and find a few good Omega 3 recipes for the kitchen. You need to source an Omega 3 cookbook to find some great recipes.

So grab a good Omega 3 cookbook and start making some recipes. Buy a high Omega oil to cook with and begin cooking some Omega 3 recipes for the family.

So remember, whilst you should be taking daily fish oil supplements to get the maximum benefit from those good fats, its well worthwhile also concentrating on using Omega 3 recipes when doing your cooking.

Not all fishoil supplements are the same and you need to know how to source the best fish oil capsules.