Salmon Oil

Salmon is a common name for several fishes belonging to the family ‘Salmonidae’. Many members of this family are also known as trout. These fishes are born in the fresh water; migrate to the oceans and come back to the fresh water to reproduce. According to many folklores, salmons come back to the exact spot where they were born to reproduce. Salmon is a common source of food and very healthy because of high protein, high vitamin D content and high omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon is also a source of cholesterol and it varies depending on the species.
Salmon oil as the name suggests is obtained from the salmon fish. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that help in boosting the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and lowers the levels of triglycerides in the body. Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids and can only be obtained from a source of food. Research has established that a high salmon diet for 20 days can increase the HDL by 10%.

Benefits of Salmon Oil

Salmon oil when taken in any form is beneficial to the health and fitness of humans. People suffering from circulatory problems such as varicose veins will benefit a lot from fish oil. The reason behind this is that fish oil stimulates the circulation of blood which results in the breaking down of the fibrin which is actually a compound that is responsible for clotting and scar formation. Fish oils also help in lowering down the blood pressure and reduce the risks of primary and secondary heart attacks. Researches across the world have shown that incidents of sudden death have decreased among people who include fish oil in their diet. Pregnant women too are advised to intake fish oil in their diet as research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids have an essential role to play in the development of the brain of the unborn baby and they are also very important to the overall development of the baby’s body and will ensure good health.

Some benefits attributed to fish oil have also been reported in the cases of rheumatoid arthritis and cardiac arrhythmias. Primary preliminary evidence of benefits of fish oil has also been reported in cases of depression and anxiety. Some research has also shown that the risks of ischemic and thrombotic strokes can be reduced with the intake of fish oils. But one has to be very careful as it has also been established that excessive intake of salmon oil can result in a hemorrhagic stroke.

Health Risks

Although the benefits of salmon oil are many, one has to be very careful about the dosage as excessive intake of fish oil can lead to a few health risks as follows:

• When taken in very large amounts, there may be possibility of a hemorrhagic stroke.
• Cases have been reported where an individual has reported bleeding when the intake of fish oil is in excess and the patient is on other medication like aspirin.
• Excess intake of fish oil can lead to reduced glycemic control in diabetic patients.
• Excess intake of fish oil can also suppress the immune system and inflammation responses in an individual.
• Lastly, people suffering from congestive heart failure or chronic recurrent anemia are advised to talk to their doctors before consuming any amount of fish oil.

As discussed above salmon oil, that is fish oil have their own sets of benefits and health risk. Hence, it is always recommended that one must talk to the health care provider before including fish oil in their diet. If you have been advised to consume salmon oil, then you could include salmon in your meals about 3 times a week or based on what the doctor recommends. If that is not possible, then salmon oil supplements in the form of capsules are available in the market. Pick up a good brand or you could discuss the brand with the doctor or the pharmacist if required. Store the capsules in a cool dark place as direct sunlight can make the capsules go bad. Prevention is any day better than cure.