Fish Oils - the Super-Nutrients of the 21st Century

While most of the population is eating double whoppers, and having a diet coke to wash it down, thinking they are living healthy, the rest of us are getting a new clue. One of the best revelations that has come out since 2000, in the way of nutrition, are the benefits of Fish Oil.

If we were truly eating as healthy as we think we are, we would be eating 6-7 servings of wild fish, every week. The fish that has the fatty tissue that holds Omega 3's, are albacore tuna, mackerel, salmon, and all wild fish caught in clean waters. The fish themselves do not create the Omega 3, but they injest the microscopic algae and plankton that do have it, and the big fish become carriers.

What is Omega 3, 6 or 9?

As humans we do not produce these either. Omega 6 and 9 are very abundant in grains, safflower and wheat germ oil, olive oil, margarine, mayonnaise, turkey, chicken and almonds. In fact, we consume so much of the oils, margarine, and mayonnaise that the amount of Omega 6 to Omega 3, is way off balance. The average American has no trouble getting these Omega 6, and the ration of Omega 6 to Omega 3, in the average person is 27:1. We want to strive to have them equal.

So, we are obviously not lacking in Omega 6, but left to our own devices, we are seriously deficient in Omega 3, which we already said comes from the fatty tissue in wild fish. Omegas 3's are also found in lamb, flax seeds, hemp, walnuts, and kiwi fruit, but we just don't eat enough of these.

Omega 3 is oil, which contains both EPA and DHA, two fatty acids that support and maintain your cardiovascular system. The Omega 6 works with the Omega 3, so it is important to try and get them in equal amounts.

For the scholars, EPA stands for eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA for docosahexanoic acid, and these two fatty acids, plus ALA, or alpha linolenic acid, are the three fatty acids that make up Omega 3.

What are the benefits of Omega 3?

I am so glad you asked, there's an incredible list. Here are the benefits that we know of:

• Supports the Cardiovascular system

• Reduces cholesterol

• Reduces high blood pressure

• Helps lift depression, prevent depressive thoughts

• Helps or delay the onset of schizophrenia

• Protects the brain from onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

• Anti-inflammatory benefits, and positive effects on the body's composition

• Scientific study shows 37% less risk of cancer in breast, colon, and prostate

What is the dosage of Omega 3?

The American Heart Association recommends 1.6 grams a day, preferably from fish, since we do not produce it ourselves. If you have any symptoms from the list above, you will want to increase that amount. Fish Oil capsules are found in every health food store, and in most pharmacies.

Take 1000mg - 1200mg, three times a day, preferably with food. All supplements are digested better when taken with food. You can add one or two capsules a day to that if you are having more severe problems, but not more that 10,000 mg, or 10 grams in one day.

The only side effect that has been addressed is that too much Fish Oil can cause excessive bleeding in some people.

And it should also be noted that a fish oil taken from the liver, like Cod Liver Oil, may have massive amounts of Vitamin A, and other unwanted trace elements because the liver's function, in any animal, is to cleanse and purify. If you use the liver, you cannot avoid it's contents.

Different types of Fish Oils:

There are a few different types of Fish Oils available on the market. The general term 'Fish Oil' is made from cold water fish, like tuna, mackerel, or any fatty fish that is living in clean waters.

Salmon Oil - is made from pure salmon. Salmon is very high in Omega 3's and because it is pure, it could be of a higher quality.

Krill Oil - is made from the millions and millions of tiny plankton, called krill, which inhabit the clear, clean waters of the Northern Oceans. These plankton are super-charged with Omega 3, and because they come from crystal, clear waters, they are pure, too. Krill Oil has just recently, in the past decade made its way to the spotlight of nutrition.

Whichever type of Fish Oil that you decide on, take it daily as a routine, to obtain the best, natural benefits.