Fish Oils have become one of the most well known and widely used health supplements of our time, and with good reason. Only in recent times have we began to understand the real health importance of fish oil and the magic of ‘Omega 3′ Fatty Acids. Hundreds of thousands of people take fish oil and Omega 3 supplements every day, for a multitude of reasons.

There is an surprising amount of popularity surrounding fish oils, but what is more surprising is that it is well deserving of the reputation its been given. Read on to find out why…

The History

The extraordinary health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids were first realized when studies on traditional Eskimos in Greenland showed they had a near immunity to heart disease and stroke, not to mention far less cases of inflammatory conditions like Arthritis and Asthma. This was due almost entirely to the Omega 3 from all the Fish in their diet.

Since then, there have been thousands of studies proving the vital role omega 3 essential fatty acids play in our maintenance of health and the prevention of disease.

The Facts

1. Omega 3 essential fatty acids are deemed an essential fatty acid as they cannot be made by our own bodies. This means the only way to get it is through our diets.⁽⁷⁾

2. The two best dietary sources of omega 3 essential fatty acids are Flaxseed oil, and coldwater predatory fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, and tuna.^{(6, 7)}

3. It has been estimated that 99 percent of the American population are deficient in omega 3 essential fatty acids.⁽¹⁾ This is a shocking estimate that is sadly very real considering the state of the American diet.

4. The American Heart Foundation recommends high dietary intake of Omega 3 Fish Oils and supplementation for all people to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease. ⁽⁷⁾

5. You need adequate intake of essential fatty acids to stay alive, and Omega 3 deficiency can cause countless health problems, including any of the following…

• Vision disorders, Heart disease, Atherosclerosis, Stroke, Arthritis, Cancer, Acne, Dry skin, Depression, Asthma, High cholesterol, Alzheimer’s disease, Inflammatory conditions, Poor brain function, Learning difficulties, Attention Deficit Disorder, Low immune system And the list just goes on and on. ^{(6, 7, 8, 9, 10)}

What Can Omega 3 Fish Oil Do for You?

Epidemiological and clinical trials show that increased dietary intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acids lead to reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.⁽⁵⁾

 Supplementation with fish oils and a diet high in omega 3 rich foods can play a major role in the treatment and prevention of…

• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Attention deficit disorder
• Depression
• Dementia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Inflammatory conditions
• Asthma
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Acne
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Maintaining Healthy Skin and Hair  

     ^{_{(5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)}}

If we all took a daily fish oil supplement to attain the Omega 3 fatty acids that we need to live, there is no doubt that our health can improve in so many ways. Imagine how much GP consultations would decrease if everyone used fish oil supplements.

Choosing a Product

Getting your hands on fish oil supplements is quite easy, as there are quite literally thousands of brands and different manufacturers out there. The downside to this is it makes it harder to get a quality product, with many inferior brands coming out that range from ineffective to just plain dangerous.

 Don’t despair though, here are a few things to look for when buying that will ensure you are getting a high quality product…

 1. Contaminant and Mercury Free - there are many products on the market that may contain dangerous impurities like pesticides, PCB, mercury and other heavy metals, all which can cause many health conditions of their own.

 2. Fortified with Vitamin E - This is important as it protects the delicate omega 3 fatty acids from oxidation, stopping the fish oil from turning rancid and making sure your body can absorb it correctly.

 3. Deodorized -  Is always preferable, as it stops any chances of repeats with the less than desirable fishy taste.

The Final Word 

There is no doubt, Omega 3 is something we could all definately do more with, with its endless positives there is no surprise it has gotten the amazing reputation is currently has. Are you missing out? 

_References

_{1. Angerer P., von Schacky C. n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Cardiovascular System. Curr Opin Lipidol . 2000;11(1):57-6}

_{2. Boelsma E, Hendriks HF. Roza L. Nutritional Skin care: Health Effects of Micronutrients and Fatty Acids. Am J Clin Nutr . 2001;73(5):853-864}

_{3. Hyman, M. 2006, Medicine for the Future, ‘Ultra Metabolism’}

_{4. Ho, Dr. Cosmas, 2003, ‘Omega 3 Deficiency and Common Diseases’}

_{5. Osiecki, H 2002, ‘The Nutrient Bible’, 5th edition, Bio-concepts publishing, Australia}

_{6. Snow, W. 2004, Dietary Supplement Quality Initiative, ‘Omega 3 and Fatty Acids’}

_{7. The George Mateljan Foundation, 2008, ‘Omega 3 Fatty Acids’}

_{8. University Maryland Medical Centre, 2007, ‘Docosahexanoic Acid’}

_{9. (Author Not Mentioned), 2008, ‘Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids’}

Photos courtesy of Flickr (1. traci_todd112 , 2. Hulagway)

---

If you liked this article, support The Natural Health Guy by tagging it...