Fish oil might sound unappealing, particularly if you are not a seafood fan. However, fish oil supplements may be particularly useful for seafood haters, as consuming them doesn’t require eating fish. Fish oil supplements are popular for being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are a family of essential fats. These fats are best to obtain through diet but getting Omega-3’s in your diet isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t eat seafood. For that reason, many people turn to fish oil supplements. So, what are fish oil supplements and how do they benefit your health?
Fish Oil Ingredients
Fish oil is made from the fat or oil that’s extracted from the tissues of fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, anchovies, and herring. Sometimes the oil is extracted from the liver of fish as is the case with cod liver oil. This oil is then made into a gel capsule to be consumed as a dietary supplement. It is recommended that people consume omega 3 fatty acids on a regular basis for best health measures. Experts say this amounts to eating 1 to 2 servings of fish per week. Fish oil supplements can provide much of the same benefits of eating actual fish. This is because fish oil is made up of 30% omega-3 fatty acids, 70% other types of fats, and even contains vitamins A and D. While omega-3s can also be found in some plant sources, it’s said that the omega-3s found in fish have greater benefits.
5 Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements
1. It’s Good For Your Heart
Omega-3 fatty acids are recommended for preventing cardiovascular disease and heart attacks or stroke. In fact, studies show that people who eat more fish on a regular basis are at lower risk for heart disease than those who don’t. Omega-3’s are unsaturated fats that can reduce inflammation in the body that leads to damaged blood vessels, heart disease, and stroke. Fish oil may also benefit heart health by;
● Lowering blood pressure
● Decreasing triglycerides
● Reducing blood clotting
● Reducing arrhythmias
● Preventing plaque build-up around the arteries
2. May Help You Lose Weight
In some animal and human studies fish oil seems to play a role in reducing and managing weight. One study concluded that including fish oil in a calorie restricted diet was helpful in helping overweight young adults lose more weight. However, this benefit was only true for the male participants. There was no change in the rate of weight loss for women. Another study found that fish oil was helpful in keeping weight off after recent weight loss from a calorie restricted diet. While it appears that fish oil may indeed help support weight loss, the exact mechanism for why is still unknown.
3. It’s Good For your Brain
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for brain function. This is because 60% of your brain matter is made up of fat, mostly omega-3 fatty acids. Some mental disorders like depression have been associated with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. Research suggests that fish oil may prevent or help treat some mental disorders, especially in those who are at risk for having psychotic disorders. Some studies claim that fish oil may help to reduce the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in some people. Additionally, omega-3s may reduce your risk of mental decline in older age. People who eat more fish are associated with having a slower rate of mental decline in older age and less risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. It’s Good For Your Eyes
Much like your brain, your eyes require omega-3s to stay healthy. Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are associated with greater risk for eye disease. Eating fish has been shown to help reduce your risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye disease that can blur your vision. Fish oil may also be helpful in preventing other eye diseases. One study found that consuming high doses of fish oil regularly for 19 weeks seemed to improve vision in patients with AMD. More studies need to be done to determine fish oil’s true effectiveness on eye health, but so far results look promising.
5. Benefits Your Skin
As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity and becomes more fragile. Your skin needs essential fats to stay healthy and maintain hydration. Omega-3s help to improve the fatty acid composition in your skin by reducing inflammation. Inflammation can give rise to multiple skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Fish oil supplements may help to regulate the skin’s oil production, minimize breakouts, improve hydration, and reduce signs of aging. Additionally, omega-3s may help protect your skin from harmful UV sun rays and prevent skin cancer.
Should You Take A Fish Oil Supplement?
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oil supplements have multiple benefits for your health. Consuming them on a regular basis in either your diet or as a dietary supplement is important for everyone to lead a healthy, long life. Fish oil supplements have relatively few harmful side effects and are generally safe to consume with other supplements and medications. If you have a fish allergy, however, check with your doctor before taking them. When choosing a fish oil supplement for you, be sure to do your research and buy only the best quality. TheTriple Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules from Hot Bod Nutrition contain only the best all natural fish oil. Quality control is important when it comes to buying dietary supplements as they are not FDA regulated. All our products at Hot Bod Nutrition are made in FDA registered labs to provide only the best quality for our consumers.
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