Some of the benifits of fish oil are well known, such as those that pertain to the health of your heart. Other benefits are less well known, but may be even more important to some people. This article looks primarily at the benefit to the brain.
The human brain is composed primarily of fat. Of the free fatty acids in the brain, about 40% are DHA or Docosahexaenoic acids. DHA is essential for growing children. But, research indicates that it may be just as essential for adults, particularly those that do not eat much fatty fish, the best dietary source of DHA, an omega3 fat.
We have to be careful about how much fish we consume on a monthly basis. It is recommended that adults eat no more than four servings of yellow fin tuna, orange roughy or Atlantic salmon per month, because of possible PCB and mercury contamination. Other species, such as wild Alaskan salmon, are safe enough to eat on a daily basis. Pacific sardines and mackerel are other good choices.
Because of the contaminants in the fish, it is necessary for supplement manufacturers to select a species that is low on the food chain, such as sardines, and swims in cleaner waters. Just about anything that comes out of the Atlantic Ocean will contain high levels of contaminants.
Some manufacturers don't even list which species they use, much less where it was caught. These are things that are important for the consumer to know. It is also important to know how much DHA each capsule provides.
Research concerning DHA has shown that supplementation is beneficial for people suffering from depression and for kids with ADHD. It also seems to be beneficial for people with bipolar disorder and aggressive behavior. The latest studies are looking at the long-term benefit to protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease.
Most people realize that Alzheimer's causes memory loss, but some people are unaware that it eventually leads to death, as brain cells continue to die. Plaques composed of misfolded proteins build up in the brain cells and they can no longer function normally. It is, as yet, unclear why this happens, but evidence indicates that poor nutrition is a factor.
In addition to the benefit to the brain, there are many others. Increasing your omega3 intake may reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. It is good for the skin, improving conditions, such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Research indicates that it improves the skin's firmness and structure over the course of three months.
It is beneficial to the joints, the digestive system and the immune system. It has natural anti-inflammatory activity, which provides improvement in a variety of health problems, including inflammatory bowel, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
When people learn about all of the benifits of fish oil supplements, they sometimes find it hard to believe. But, omega-3 fatty acids are really that important to the human body. Just be sure to carefully evaluate your supplements, before you buy.