When people who are calorie and carb conscious hear the word “fat” they turn tail and run. What some don’t realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. It is actually unhealthy and detrimental to totally avoid fat.
Facts about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids should be part of our daily diet – without them, we age prematurely. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs (unhealthy fats) and omega-3 EFAS (healthy fats).
Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils, avocado among other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists agree that the root cause of increasing cases of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs. A good reason to add fish to your diet.
As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet composed mainly of fish.
The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.
In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. Inflammation of the blood vessels lead to risk of heart attack and erectile dysfunction. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account, like mercury levels.
Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.
Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.
Popularity: 1% [?]
