What exactly is fish oil? Who should be using it? What’s the proper amount to take? If you don’t already know about fish oil, the chances are good that you will be hearing more and more about this natural yet powerful health supplement.
Because it is considered to be a supplement that nourishes the body and prevents health problems from occurring, it is widely recommended by many medical professionals. To understand why it is such an effective supplement, the following is a brief overview of the various benefits that fish oil offers.
A large amount of evidence has been discovered through research conducted over the past couple of decades purporting that omega-3 rich fish oil is one of the best supplements to use to strengthen one’s health.
Various kinds of oils are found all throughout the human body. From the tiniest of cells and membranes, to hormones, and other parts of the body, fats are essential to the proper functioning of the body. Fats even allow for better thought processes within the brain.
If you ensure that the fats involved are of the highest possible quality, they will subsequently improve those processes as well as the overall health of the body.
There are numerous reasons as to why one should consider supplementing fish oil in their diet:
– Promotion of enhanced metabolism functions and synthesis of hormones
– Improved function of the heart
– Lowering of LDL cholesterol
– Heightened brain and mental health support
– Improved appearance and health of the skin/hair
– A higher functioning immune system
– Increased levels of happiness and better overall mood
– Reduced levels of inflammation
Fish oil and exercise
Combining fish oil with aerobic exercise provides benefits greater than cardio exercise and taking fish oil independently. In one study the subjects received 6 grams of fish oil a day. That is a dose of just over a teaspoon.
Exercise improves arterial compliance. Fish oil reduces triglycerides, increases HDL and improves arterial vasodilation. When combined, fish oil supplementation and aerobic exercise reduce body fat.
Another study is showing the synergism of fish oil supplementation and exercise. Fish oil alone was enough to reduce triglycerides. But the addition of exercise significantly increased HDL, above what can be achieved with either fish oil or exercise alone. The fish oil dosage was 4 grams per day.
How to add fish oil to your diet
There are many different ways that fish oil can be added to your diet, but the most effective way to increase your intake of the healthy fatty acids found in fish oil is to simply take it in the form of a supplement.
The active ingredients in fish oil that allow for all of the associated health benefits are called eicosopentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). A good fish oil supplement will have a combined amount of 1000-3000mg (daily intake) of both acid types.
Needless to say, whether you suffer from depression, joint pain, dry skin, lowered concentration levels, high cholesterol, or just a dropped level of general health, fish oil definitely has the answer for you. It can be one of the best supplements to include in one’s diet, which is again why it is such a widely used and recommended product.
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