Many people speak highly of the benefits of fish oil supplementation. Fish oil contains a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids – the good fats that are necessary to help your body function properly.
Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency has ranked among the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. This statistic is surprising considering obesity – an excess of fat – is one of the other leading causes of disease. This shows the stark contrast to different types of fats. Fish oil’s got what you need.
Human beings evolved typically consuming a balance of omega-6 fats and omega-3 fats. The typical western diet finds this ratio extremely imbalanced. People consume up to 20 times more omega-6 fats than omega-3s, which can promote inflammation in the human body.
What Types Of Omega-3 Fats Does The Body Need?
There are several omega-3 fatty acids that are more important and prominent than others. The two most commonly cited and consumed essential fatty acids (considered essential because the body cannot synthesize them on its own) are:
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a very important in the maintenance of the cardiovascular system. It helps improve your blood’s ability to clot. EPA also reduces inflammation in the intestines and other areas of your body.
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is particularly important for the development of eye tissue, brain tissue, and other neural tissue.
- Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) can be synthesized in the body from EPA. It’s responsible for about a third of the long-chain fatty acids present in human blood.
Fish oil is one of the most viable sources of omega-3 fats for humans to consume. There are a lot of false claims regarding the usage of omega-3 fats. Some claim them to be miracle nutrients. This article will look only at health benefits that are backed by significant scientific evidence.
Health Benefits Of Fish Oil
Fish oil is usually taken in supplemental form, either encapsulated or taken by the spoonful. Of course, you can also reap the benefits of fish oil from simply eating fish – cold water, fatty fish are the best for this. These include mackerel, tuna, salmon, and the blubber from whale and seals which are particularly high in omega-3s. Fish oil is readily absorbed by the human body and displays a huge array of very important healing properties.
