Benefits of Fish Oil Supplement - Fish Oil Health Benefits

Fish oil, as the name designates, is oil extracted from the tissues of certain species of fish. Commercially, fish oil is available in the form of nutritional supplements. Many people opt for fish oil supplements as a source for obtaining omega-3 fatty acids. Although there are several oily fishes that accumulate omega-3 fatty acids, not all of them are used for deriving fish oil. The major reason for this is that predatory fishes which are in the top position of the food chain, also contain higher levels of toxic substances due to bioaccumulation. The health benefits of fish oil and fish oil supplements are discussed below.

Health Benefits of Fish Oil

Scientific research has proven that fish oil contains important omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), both of which are necessary for combating inflammation of the body tissues. In simple terms, fish oil helps in maintaining the health and well-being of an individual. Some of the health benefits of omega-3 fish oil and fish oil supplements are as follows:

Reduces Inflammation: The omega-3 fatty acid contained in fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the chronic pain symptoms caused due to inflammatory responses. Many physicians recommend fish oil supplements to manage the symptoms of severe inflammatory diseases, like, ulcerative colitis and gastrointestinal inflammation problems.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: In majority of the cases, people with rheumatoid arthritis have low level of omega-3 fatty acids, which indirectly results in hypersensitivity of the immune responses. Administration of fish oil supplements in proper doses helps in combating the painful inflammations of rheumatoid arthritis.

Pregnancy Supplement: Pregnant women who consume fish oil supplements usually have normal delivery. On the contrary those who consume diets with low fish oil content are at a higher risk of premature delivery. Studies also reveal that DHA present in fish oil promotes the eye and brain development of the fetus.

Lowering High Blood Pressure: Fish oil is often recommended for lowering high blood pressure to normal levels. Clinical trials conducted on people with hypertension have showed that supplementing the diet with 2 - 3 grams of fish oil lowers both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is also effective for lowering the triglyceride levels of the body.

Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease: According to the American Heart Association (AHA), omega-3 fatty acids are effective in combating the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. It lowers the amount of bad cholesterol and at the same time promotes good cholesterol. Hence, fish oil is effective for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Losing Weight: Fish oil indirectly helps in losing weight by promoting the efficacy of physical activities. Hence, adding fish oil in the diet plan along with regular exercise (at least 30 minutes per day) promotes weight loss.

Managing Stress and Depression: Omega-3 fatty acids help in managing stress, anxiety, depression and other mental conditions. In fact, individuals with low level of omega-3 fatty acids are prone to stress and depression. Supplementing the diet with fish oil supplements may help in effective management of mental health related problems.

A major issue of concern regarding fish oil supplements is the presence of toxic contaminants. Hence for the safety of public health, stringent rules are implemented regarding the fish type used for extracting oil and the constituents of fish oil supplements. There are regulatory bodies which review and test the products before releasing them in the market. On a safer note, it is always better to purchase fish oil supplements from a reliable brand. One should also seek advise from a qualified physician regarding the safety, dosage and side effects before opting for fish oil supplements.