Fish oil: Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega3 Fatty Acids have been studied and are now proven to help our body from head to toe, inside and out. Omega3 Fatty Acids can benefit you in the following ways:

Softer and warmer skin
Less aches, pains, and headaches, including migraine headache
A more regular heartbeat and less chance for heart attack and sudden death
Lower blood pressure
Thinner blood and softer arteries
Better eyesight and less prone to have macular degeneration and glaucoma
Better brain function and concentration
More stable emotions and less depression
Less lung damage from air pollutants such as from smoking
Decreased chance of cancer
Decreased chance of allergies and asthma
Decreased chance of autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Colitis Nephritis and psoriasis
Better diabetes control
Decreased weight gain
Stronger Bone and less chance for osteoporosis
Fewer problems with menstrual cramp, menopausal symptoms

Let me provide you with some background information:

Since the early 19th century, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases has increased gradually. This is partly due to the increased consumption of meat and animal fat. Fifty years ago nutritionists mistakenly recommended that people switch from saturated fat to poly- unsaturated fat from vegetable oil (a source of omega6 fatty acid) and margarine. Despite the change in diet, the incidence of cardiovascular disease continued to rise.

During the past thirty years, researchers discovered that Inuit Eskimos in Greenland ate a lot of fat from fish, but have a very low incidence of coronary diseases. Since then at least 2500 studies related to oil from fish (Omega3) have been published which I will summarize for you.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is why do I need to take omega3 fish oils?

Well, the answer is because your body needs it. According to research since the discovery of omega3 and omega6 free fatty acids in 1929, the body functions best with a balanced ratio between omega6 and omega3 fatty acids in your food. Ideally the ratio should be 4 to 1 or better (omega6:omega3). With today's diet the ratio is about 20 to 1.

As you know, all cells in the body need fatty acids as a raw material for the cell wall in all the cells in our body. Important local hormones called Eicosanoids are also made from omega3 and omega6 fatty acids. An imbalance of omega6 and omega3 fatty acids in the diet of people in the last 50 years has been linked to a number of medical conditions including:

Cardiovascular Diseases (heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease), cancer, diabetes, obesity, allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases, arthritis,neurological disorders, mental disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.

1. Cardiovascular Diseases- Omega3 has been proven to help the following conditions:

a. Hypertension: by reducing the production of bad eicosanoid-thromboxane A2 (Omega 6) and increasing the production of thromboxane A3 (Omega3) which results in fewer constricted arteries.
b. Natural blood thinner-by reduces production of FIBLINOGEN.
c. Reduces heart beat skips and sudden death, and reduces heart rate and high blood pressure (by preventing the excess release of calcium from cells).
d. Reduces artery inflammation.
e. Reduces the triglyceride in your blood stream by inhibition of liver production of VLDL.
f. Improves endothelial vascular function (improved dilation by increased production of NITRIC OXIDE, same as VIAGRA).

2. Cancer- according to studies, it has been shown that tumors love LINOLEIC ACID (Omega6 EFA), which can make tumors, grows faster. omega3 (LNA, EPA, DHA) will compete with Omega6 and retard the growth of tumors, as well as prevent the spread of tumors cells by adhering to basement membranes and blocking the production of colagenese which allows the tumors to penetrate cell membranes.

3. Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases (included are Asthma, Alzheimer's Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Crohn's disease, Dysmenorrea, IgA Nephropathy, Gingivitis, Osteoporosis, Psoriasis, SLEor Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Ulcerative Colitis) - which are all linked to a hyperactive immune system. Omega3 plays a big role in improving these conditions by competing with Omega6EFA (Linoleic Acid) which are the raw materials for the chemical, called Arachidonic Acid (or AA), which causes inflammation through the Arachidonic Acid Cascade, which eventually produces local hormones called bad Eicosanoids or Prostaglandin (PGE-2) and Leucotrienes (LTB4). Omega3 (Eicosapentanoic Acid, or EPA) produces milder forms called good Eicosanoids, PGE-3, and LTB5. So, Omega3 will compete with Omega6 for the same enzymes called Cyclo-Oxagenase, and Lipoxygenase. Consequently, less PGE-2 and LTB4 production means less inflammation and pain (Aspirin, Ansaids, and Cortisol work in a similar fashion by blocking the production of good and bad Eicosanoids).

4. Diabetes Mellitus- due to the most unsaturated fat of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the walls of cells are made softer, thus making the cells less resistant to insulin.

5. Hyperlipidemic patients- Omega3 EFA reduces free fatty acid production by the liver. Therefore, blood triglyceride levels may be dramatically reduced up to 30%

6. Dermatological related diseases- Omega3 EFA are the longest and softest oils. This property of Omega3 can help people with dry skin.

7. Neurological and mental disorders- Omega3 EFA is a primary fat content of the brain and neurons. If the body is lacking this oil, brain and neuron function will be less than optimal. Omega3 has been shown to improve many conditions including:

a. Learning difficulties, Depression, Postpartum Depression, Alcoholism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Violent Behavior, Schizophrenia, and an Impaired memory.

In conclusion, in order to improve our body functions, we must eat the right type and amount of foods. Then and only then the body will heal it self. Remember life is created by nature!

HOW TO TAKE THE OMEGA3 OILS

The minimum amount of fish oil is 2 capsules of 1 gm twice daily after meals (prefer 2 capsules 3 times a day. Make sure that the capsules contain a good ratio EPA and DHA about 500 mg. Per two capsules or 1gm per day (4 capsules per day). The ideal doses for fish oil is 1 capsule per 10 lbs bodyweight. If you prefer due to the smell of fish oil or having family of cancer you can take the flaxseed mill or oil instead of fish oil (flaxseed oil contains cancer-fighting fiber called LIGNANS).

Remember if you want to cook with oil use only MONOUNSATURATED FAT, especially OLIVE OIL. It is a neutral fat. It will reduce your BLOOD PRESSURE and it contains a substance called SQUALENE that reduces CHOLESTEROL(LDL by 22 percent).