The Benefits of Fish Oil Pills

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Did you know that fish oil pills, capsules and liquids are among the best selling dietary supplements on the market?  Why are they so popular?  People have different opinions about that.  It could be that popular diet doctors recommend them.  Whatever the reason, the popularity is a good thing.

A number of physical diseases and emotional problems have been on the rise for years.  Some researchers refer to them as modern diseases.  Depression is one of them.

Suicidal behavior, schizophrenia and other emotional disorders are not “new” exactly.  They’ve been around since recorded medical history.  But, depression is rare in developing countries.  Its prevalence in the US is a cause of major concern.

Anxiety is another condition that is far too common in the US.  Drugs prescribed to treat anxiety and depression account for billions of dollars worth of sales every year.  So, it really wouldn’t pay for the pharmaceutical companies to try to find a better solution.

Doctors must go along with the “accepted” treatments, whatever those may be.  Any deviation from the standard could cause them to be sued for malpractice.  Right now, fish oil pills are not among the accepted treatments for anxiety or depression.

Then, there’s attention deficit disorder.  It occurs with and without hyperactive behavior.  The symptoms may have been described as early as 1798, but it was not until 1987 that the term ADHD became prevalent.

ADHD is a controversial diagnosis.  Researchers believe that it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, but there is no way to test for that.  The treatments are controversial, as well.

Several studies have shown that fish oil pills are beneficial for ADHD and for depression, although finding a doctor that would recommend the supplement could be hard.  The benefits are due to the omega-3 fatty acids provided by the supplements, specifically to one called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA.

DHA is a major component of healthy brain cells and neurons.  DHA is needed in order for the body to repair minor damage that occurs throughout the day.  It is also needed for normal brain development during infancy and, apparently, throughout childhood.

Parents have found that fish oil pills have made a huge difference in their child’s behavior and attitudes.  They have also found relief from minor depression that plagued them for years.

Why DHA is so important is a subject for researchers to debate.  Most people accept that it is important and that’s one of the reasons that the supplements are so popular.

There are many other benefits associated with supplementation, including reduced pain in arthritis and possibly a reduced risk of heart disease.  The benefits to the heart are actually numerous.  Those have been covered in another article.

Just know that you should learn how to compare the quality of fish oil pills, before you buy.  But, that’s a subject for another article, too.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-benefits-of-fish-oil-pills-1284057.html

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Are you frustrated with trying to find the best omega 3 foods and supplements? You know that food with omega 3 is the healthy choice. But due to the metal poisons, pollutants and other contaminants in fish which enter your body, this healthy choice is being questioned?

After much research on omega 3, nutritional experts still recommend you eat one to two fatty fish meals per week. Now “fatty” fish doesn’t mean deep fried or battered, so carefully choose a quality salmon, herring, trout, sardines or tuna.

But fish isn’t the only food with omega 3. Other good sources are:

• artichokes
• dark green leafy vegetables
• beans
• whole grains
• seeds
• and, pecans.

The problem, however, is you don’t get enough fatty acids from these omega 3 foods alone. Therefore, it’s now recommended by nutritional experts that you also add to your diet a high-quality omega3 supplement.

Now, to find a quality product, you’ll have to know what to look for. First of all, make sure the product is pure and safe.

Check and see if the product has been put through a process known as molecular distillation. This procedure purifies and makes sure quality pharmaceutical grade fish oil is used in products you purchase.

Next, look to see if the product has been proven effective in clinical trials and if it follows international quality and purity standards. Also, make certain it’s been reviewed independently by government approved facilities.

A lot of companies sell their supplements and make grand claims as to how great they are. However, take a look around because you’ll soon notice their claims just don’t have any back-up proof.

Be aware of this. Make sure you find high quality companies that are clearly recognizable and offers high quality, effective and sensibly priced products.

It’s been proven through research and science that by eating omega 3 foods and taking high-quality supplements, your health will improve tremendously. In today’s society, many people eat too many foods containing bad fats causing their body to get too much omega-6 fats instead of the good omega3 fats.

Now you know omega 3 foods and supplements are the best and easiest ways to boost your omega3 levels. And because they’re extremely affordable, anyone can start to improve their health and wellness at any time.

If you’re interested in finding out more about omega 3 foods</a> and supplements, visit my website today.

Marcia Kruger is a researcher, editor and believer in a natural healthy lifestyle that includes quality nutritional supplements and skin care. Marcy enjoys introducing people to quality omega3 fish oils she uses daily.

Visit her latest site natural-omega3-fish-oils today to learn about the benefits of omega3 fish oils.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-best-omega-3-foods-and-supplements-the-secret-source-for-essential-fatty-acids-1276545.html

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You may have read about this recently, how omega 3 and weight loss are connected, but can these essential fatty acids really help with weight loss as well as all the other important health issues they treat?

It has now been proven scientifically that omega 3 and weight loss are connected!

Studies at the University of South Australia have found that taking omega 3 fish oil combined with exercise results in weight loss.

They concluded that the omega 3 fatty acids in the fish oil activated the enzymes responsible for burning the fat off, and when combined with the exercise and increased oxygen intake, they increased the metabolic rate, which burn more fat resulting in weight loss.

This is quite amazing considering these fatty acids can also prevent heart disease, treat arthritis, lower high blood pressure and cholesterol and also help to reverse the aging process as they are so good for maintaining healthy skin.

Another of the main reasons why omega 3 and weight loss are connected is it has such a powerful effect on fat metabolism. Studies show the insulin levels were fifty per cent lower when the volunteers used the fish oil.

Basically this means that high levels of insulin make it less likely that your body will use your stored fat as a source of fuel. The drop in insulin levels when the volunteers used the fish oil allowed more fat to be used for energy.

The best and most convenient source of omega 3 is a fish oil supplement.

Fresh fish today contains too many harmful toxins like mercury and arsenic, so if you use a fish oil that’s been molecular distilled, all these toxins will have been removed to leave only safe and pure oil, rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

It is also important, in order to gain the maximum benefits with omega 3 and weight loss, that you look for a high level of DHA. This is the most important fatty acid and responsible for most of the benefits, and a minimum of 250mg of DHA per capsule is a good guide.

I hope this article on omega 3 and weight loss has shown you the possibilities of using fish oils as part of your dieting regime and also how great they are for your overall health too, helping you avoid many serious diseases later in life while maintaining optimum health in the present.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.

Discover the best omega-3 fish oil today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the very latest and effective omega-3 fish oil supplements Rich recommends after extensive research.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/omega-3-and-weight-loss-is-there-any-truth-to-it-1275089.html

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Have you ever noticed Norwegian fish oil supplements are more expensive than other brands?  But, does that mean they are better?  It really depends on what the oils contain.  Where they came from is only important when it has to do with contaminant content.

What’s the mercury level like in the waters surrounding Norway?  In 2002, several lakes tested in excess of 1mg per gram.  A total ban of manufacturing, importing and exporting of mercury products has been in effect since January of 2008.  But, it takes years for a ban to make a difference in the contaminant content of water.

PCBs or polychlorinated biphenyls were banned in the US during the late 1970s and by members of the United Nations in 2001.  But, the poisonous, cancer-causing chemicals continue to be present in the environment.  Cases of heavy contamination have occurred in many areas in and around the European Union, which of course, would include Norway.

So, PCBs and mercury could be a problem in Norwegian fish oil, just as it could in any other brand.  In order to find out, check the manufacturer’s website for information concerning the standards they adhere to.  The better manufacturers have independent testing conducted to insure that their oils are of the highest quality.

The testing laboratory provides a certificate of analysis that lists contaminants such as mercury, lead, arsenic, PCBs and dioxins.  The labs also measure the oxidation level, which indicates how fresh the oils were when they were encapsulated.

Many countries have no regulations concerning the quality of the oils that should be included in these dietary supplements.  The US, for example, has no standards.  They leave it up to the manufacturers to ensure that their supplements are safe.

The European and Norwegian standards are the same.  Neither limits the amount of oxidation that may be present.  Yet, oxidized oils are nearly as dangerous as PCBs and mercury.

Consuming Norwegian fish oil could increase your exposure to free radicals, because oxidized oils contain the radical molecules.  They are a cause of cellular aging.  They play a role in the development and progression of cancer.  They cause DNA mutations, which can eventually lead to the death of the cell.  So, obviously, oxidation is bad.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has set standards that manufacturers can adhere to voluntarily.  There is no enforcement or penalty for not participating.  Companies are allowed to mention that they adhere to the standards on their labels.  So, you can look for that, if you want.

Advertising claims for Norwegian fish oil suggest that it is better in some way.  It is true that Nordic fishermen were some of the first people to use the oils to prevent and relieve stiff, aching joints.  So, there is a history of use in the country.  But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the oils are better.

Make no mistake about it.  It is the omega-3 content and the content of individual omega-3s that makes one supplement better than another.  If Norwegian fish oil contains less than 50% omega-3s and less than 28% DHA, then it’s not your best buy, period.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-norwegian-fish-oil-1271816.html

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Discover Fish Oil for Depression

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Did you know taking DHA omega-3 fish oil for depression may be just as effective, if not more effective, than anti-depressant drugs?  Additionally, none of the negative side effects associated with anti-depressant drugs accompany supplemental omega-3s in the diet.  There are, however, lots of positive side effects.

Your joints should feel better.  You may have more energy.  It could be easier to focus on your daily tasks.  Your skin might clear up.  You could even see a reduction in wrinkles.

Because of its anti-inflammatory activity, it is considered an anti-aging supplement.  Chronic inflammation, along with free radical damage and glycation, causes cellular aging.

It is believed that changes in dietary habits and decreased nutritional value of the foods that we eat, has caused a population that is suffering from nutritional deficiencies.  These are not severe enough to cause overt illnesses, in most cases.  True fatty acid deficiency occurs primarily in anorexic patients.

But, chronically poor nutritional intake contributes to a variety of different diseases and emotional disorders.  Some researchers believe that the high incidence of depressive conditions in the US is a direct result of low intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

In fish oil depression studies, benefit has been seen when the supplement is used as an alternative or an adjunctive therapy.  In other words, it can be used instead of or along with prescription anti-depressants.  If you are currently taking anti-depressants, you should talk to your doctor about slowly reducing the dosage.  Quitting “cold-turkey” causes sometimes distressing withdrawal symptoms.

As someone that was, at one time, taking anti-depressants, I can vouch for the benefits of omega-3 supplementation.  Until I learned about the benefits of omega-3s to the brain, I was unable to function, without medication.

Fatigue often accompanies depressive symptoms.  Pain throughout the body is another symptom.  Those are both symptoms of omega-3 deficiency, as well.

Your doctor might not recommend fish oil for depression, because it is not the accepted treatment and also because it is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for that use.  If it is used to treat a medical condition, it must be classified as a drug.

All of the studies that have been conducted may lead to the development of new, more effective drugs.  But, the pharmaceutical companies would only be interested if they could come up with a patentable molecule.

What we have learned from the fish oil depression studies is that anyone can benefit.  But, the benefits vary, depending on how much DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is in the dose.

Research has also shown that the supplement is more effective if both Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA are given.  Before you buy a supplement, be sure to read the label, to determine how much of each fatty acid is present.  Most brands provide more EPA than DHA.  While both are important, DHA is a primary component of brain cells and neurons.

So, you want DHA-rich fish oil for depression?  Do a little research and you can find one.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/discover-fish-oil-for-depression-1271820.html

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