Posts tagged ‘chronic’

The Truth About Fish Oil and ADHD

The topic of fish oil and ADHD has been often discussed lately in the news, magazines and on the internet.  By the time you finish reading this, you’ll have a better understanding of how the use of fish oil impacted a group of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and also why fish oil and ADHD are so often used together in the same sentence.  From the findings of this research you will be able to draw your own conclusions on whether fish oil is an effective means of treating ADHD and if it is a course of action you would want to take in your own life either with yourself, or a loved one.

ADHD has perplexed many researchers, doctors, behaviorists, therapists and dietitians for decades.  It has received growing attention in recent years as the estimated number of affected children has been estimated to be 3-5%.  Most notably, the condition has reached epidemic proportions with American children.  It is thought that ADHD is caused by low levels of the brain chemical dopamine, and that if levels of this chemical could be restored either by synthetic or natural means, the condition could be reversed or at the very least, controlled.  Ritalin has been the preferred method of treatment for many doctors over the years, and its effectiveness has been attributed to increased dopamine levels the medication causes.

I will refer to something called the AA/EPA ratio in the next few paragraphs.  Essentially what this measures is the ratio of the harmful omega-6 acids to the beneficial omega-3 acids.  The lower this number is for a person, the better.  It has been found that many people with brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dyslexia, stroke and multiple sclerosis have higher ratios than those that don’t, leading doctors and researchers to believe that omega 3 deficiency and higher levels of omega 6’s in the diet is the cause, or at the very least a contributing factor for many of the brain disorders and chronic conditions we see today.  Such findings are directing many in the medical profession to pay closer attention to the subject of fish oil and ADHD.

Researcher Dr. Barry Sears and colleague Rene Espy engaged in a research experiment where a group of children with ADHD were given high doses of fish oil (10-20 grams) while simultaneously controlling insulin levels in all children for eight weeks.  

The results were astounding.  After a period of only a few weeks, it was noted that “these children’s ability to concentrate increased dramatically” (Sears 145).  It was also noted that there were “positive changes in behavior both in school and at home” (Sears 145).  The children’s blood was measured at the start of the experiment and it was determined that the average AA/EPA ratio was around 22.  It should also be noted that Japanese children have AA/EPA ratios of around 1.5.  Why the comparison to Japanese children?  The reason is because Japanese children have a much higher intake of omega 3’s from fish in their diet than their American counterparts, and the average AA/EPA ratio for them is 1.5.

After the eight week experiment the children’s blood was measured again and it was found that the average AA/EPA ratio was as low as 3, leading the researchers to believe the reduction in ADHD symptoms of lack of concentration and poor focus were directly due to the high levels of fish oil used in the diet.

Dr. Sears also noted that at the end of the eight week experiment, most of the children resorted back to their old eating habits, stopped taking fish oil, and then rapidly deteriorated back to their previous conditions.  

The findings demonstrated that a lower AA/EPA ratio is achieved by reducing omega 6’s in the diet, and increasing omega 3’s via fish oil.  The conclusions to draw from this experiment are that a lower AA/EPA ratio is likely responsible for a reduction in ADHD symptoms and that if the fish oil was to be continuously administered every day, the symptoms of ADHD would either be more manageable or nonexistent.

These results beg the question:  If the children continued on the regimen beyond the eight week trial, would the benefits have persisted?

So, what’s your goal?  Your goal is to determine where you stand on the topic of fish oil and ADHD. Also, to use this information to determine if using fish oil could possibly improve your quality of life or the quality of life of a loved one by reducing or eliminating the effects of ADHD.  Although the experiment is far from conclusive, the results are astounding and shed tremendous light on the miracle of fish oil in the treatment of ADHD.  It should also be noted that there have been many similar experiments conducted with comparable results.

To learn more about the fish oil I use daily to keep my AA/EPA ratio number good, visit my website today!

Ken Corley is an avid supporter of using all natural approaches to every facet of life; from the food we eat, the treatments we use, to the way we exercise. Ken enjoys introducing others to the all natural products and supplements he supports and uses daily at: http://www.fish-oil-supplements-central.com/eza.

Visit his site to learn more about the all natural fish oils, supplements and vitamins that he uses at: http://www.fish-oil-supplements-central.com/eza

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-truth-about-fish-oil-and-adhd-1444321.html

Selenium for Virus Protection and Thyroid Function

Selenium deficiency often goes untreated because it does not create any noticeable symptoms. A certain amount of selenium is needed to protect the body from viruses and to promote healthy thyroid function. Research is being done and shows promise in using selenium to treat HIV and AIDS, allergies, flu, chronic fatigue syndrome, strokes, arthritis and more.

Selenium helps to regulate thyroid hormones and also supports the immune system. It helps to create antioxidants that clear out and protect cells from free radicals. Selenium deficiency is thought to trigger viruses into attacking and reproducing. Studies are being done to test the theory that selenium deficiency is the trigger for the HIV virus (among others) to switch from dormant into active status. It is believed that viruses switch into action when they need to visit more cells in search for more selenium. It is also believed that appropriate selenium levels slow down the HIV virus replication process.

Selenium is critical for thyroid hormone metabolism. It is part of the enzyme necessary for conversion of T4 hormone into the active form T3. Low selenium levels can lead to thyroid damage and hypothyroidism. However, high levels can do the same thing. Therefore, if you have thyroid issues, it is extremely important to monitor your thyroid function along with your dietary intake of selenium. A skilled physician or nutritionist will help you adjust and determine the right dosage of vitamins and supplements required for your thyroid to function at its best level.

We get selenium from whole grains, some seafood, most meats, and nuts. The amount of selenium we get from grains and nuts depends on the selenium content of the soil that they were grown in. The content of selenium in meat depends on the amount present in the plants that the animals fed on. Levels of selenium in soil vary so much from region to region that it is very hard to tell how much we are actually getting.

Brazil nuts have an unusually high amount of selenium, as much as eight hundred times the daily requirement per ounce. If you do eat Brazil nuts, do so in moderation and watch for side effects of having too much selenium in your diet. Hair loss, horizontal white streaking or blotching of the fingernails, garlic breath, gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, irritability, and flushing of the face are signs of too much selenium.

The anti-viral, antioxidant and antibiotic properties of selenium make it useful for maintaining a healthy immune system and is thought to help prevent heart disease and certain cancers. Depletions can occur when you have gastrointestinal problems that cause selenium not to be absorbed. Selenium is also destroyed in foods that are processed or refined. This can lead to autoimmune problems and thyroid problems.

Talk with your doctor if you plan on supplementing with selenium before you buy vitamins. A vitamins and supplements regimen should be discussed with a health care professional familiar with your health history and current medications to avoid drug interactions or unwanted side effects.

About the Author: Phil Le Breton is owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health with vitamins and supplements. Wholesale Nutrition has the best vitamin C Powder on the market (C-Salts). Visit http://www.nutri.com to buy vitamins or buy supplements of the highest quality.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/selenium-for-virus-protection-and-thyroid-function-1412538.html

Why You Need the Correct Balance of Essential Fatty Acids

Did you know what are commonly referred to as essential fatty acids are those fatty acids that cannot be constructed in an organism from other components via any known chemical pathways?  The term essential refers to those fatty acids that are involved in various biological processes in the body.  These nutrients must be gathered from our diets, and we must take care that we have the correct balance between n3 and n6 fatty acids.

Both of these families of fatty acids are essential to the proper function of the body, but you must take care that you are taking in equal or higher levels of n3 fatty acids to n6.  Both of these families cause inflammation, with n3 fatty acids being the less inflammatory of the two.  Some inflammation is necessary for productive immune system function, but too much inflammation can lead to disease.

Both of these essential fatty acids are vying to be the chosen inflammatory agent that the immune system uses to heal.  The problem with n6 fatty acids is that they do not have an “off switch”, and so when the healing is done the inflammation continues at full strength.  This constant inflammation leads to the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, allergies and asthma, and arthritis.

N3 fatty acids are considered less inflammatory that n6 fatty acids, because when the healing is done they simply stop attacking the areas where the illness or injury occurred.  This is why it is recommended that your focus be on increasing the amount of omega-3s in your diet, so that they will be the predominant fatty acid used by the body.  High levels of DHA and EPA omega-3s has been shown to produce some truly wonderful disease preventative benefits.

It has been proven that high levels of DHA and EPA omega-3 essential fatty acids prevent the development of a variety of common ailments.  These include cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, allergies, asthma, arthritis, and gout.  Omega-3s have also been found beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and in colon, prostate, and breast cancer.

So far as the effect these essential nutrients have on your mental function, they have been proven to help manage depression, ADHD, aggressive behavior, and suicidal tendencies.  They have also been shown to prevent the formation of the amyloid plaque that is a primary precursor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.  It is suspected that the prevention of Parkinson’s disease is also possible.

In order to guarantee that you are getting sufficient amounts of DHA and EPA essential fatty acids in your diet, you must use a high quality dietary supplement.  Raising the level of these omega-3s through increasing the amount of fish in your diet is not an option, because of the toxins present in these fish.  A process of molecular distillation must be performed on the oil, in order to ensure its purity.

Make no mistake about it.  It is simply amazing what a significant increase in DHA and EPA omega-3 essential fatty acids can do for you.  Take advantage of these benefits by getting your hands on a high quality DHA rich dietary fish oil supplement as soon as you are able.

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/why-you-need-the-correct-balance-of-essential-fatty-acids-1412564.html

Discover the Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Face it.  Clinical tests conducted over the last 40 years have proven the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for a variety of ailments.  Inflammation in the body is necessary in order for the immune system to effectively ward off diseases, and to heal wounds.  If there is too much inflammation constantly present in the body it can have the opposite affect than intended, and this chronic inflammation leads to disease.

The reason that we now suffer from so many of the ailments that we have simply come to accept, is because we have allowed the ratio of our omega-6 fatty acids to overwhelm the body’s content of omega-3s.  Both of these fatty acids are necessary in order to maintain good health, but an overabundance of omega-6 fatty acids is responsible for the prevalence of many preventable diseases.

One of the primary benefits of omega 3 fatty acid is that unlike omega-6s, which are never able to turn themselves off, omega-3s are able to discern when inflammation is necessary and when it is not.  This ability is what makes DHA and EPA omega fatty acids such a force in the prevention and treatment of the various “inflammatory” diseases.  We need to raise the level of the omega3s in our bodies.

The reason that things have gotten so out of balance has to do with how much our diets have changes over the last century.  Instead of the omega-3 rich substances that used to be staples in our diets, we have turned to eating processed foods substances and significantly increased our intake of soy, palm, and corn oils.  Something has got to drastically change.

Some of the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids include the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and proper cognitive development and cognitive function.  You can also count on a positive effect from the consumption of DHA and EPA rich omega fatty acids when it comes to allergies and asthma, arthritis and gout, and diabetes.  These fatty acids offer you the possible prevention of breast and prostate cancer as well.

So, in order to get things in balance and back on the right track, should you begin by eating more oil rich fish?  This was the recommendation years ago, but increasing the amount of fish that you eat is not advisable now.  This is because we have allowed entirely too many toxins to contaminate the earth’s water, and these toxins are becoming a part of the fish that we eat.

The best way to enjoy the benefits of omega 3 fatty acid is to take DHA omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplement capsules, every day as directed.  This way you will be able to control what it is that is entering your body, because the manufacturers of fish oil supplements distill all of the toxins out of the oil they are giving you.  They also concentrate the DHA and EPA present, in order that you get the maximum possible dosage.

So now that you know this, get your omega fatty acid levels back to normal and you can enjoy all of the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.

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-the-benefits-of-omega-3-fatty-acids-1398567.html

Discover the Benefits Associated with Fish Oils and Depression

I was concerned when I heard that many doctors are missing the boat by not advising their patient as to the proven benefits associated with fish oils and depression.  It seems as though whenever you visit the doctor for any reason, they are quick to want to prescribe some sort of chemically based drug to you in order to treat the problem.  None of the formulas designed to treat ailments such as depression are without their side effects though.

It seems as though no medical professional is willing to even discuss the findings of thousands of clinical studies that point out that a high level of DHA omega-3 fatty acid is just as effective at treating depression and other mood disorders as the medication currently being prescribed.  The only difference between fatty acids and those prescription medications is that fatty acids do not present any risk.

The connection between fish oils and depression is cemented in the fact that so many studies have proven that the cause of depression and other mood disorder stem from a deficiency in DHA omega-3 fatty acids.  It has been shown that low levels of DHA in the frontal cortex of the brain can cause a lot of things to happen, with depression, aggressive behavior, hostility, and suicidal tendencies topping the list.

Why is it that so many people nowadays suffer from lowered levels of DHA, and omega-3s in general?  A lot of it has to do with what is in our diet.  DHA is an essential fatty acid, and although the body can produce some DHA by deriving it from EPA, it is much more efficient for us to obtain our DHA through the foods that we eat.  This is where we run into problems.

The connection between fish oils and depression may have come to the forefront specifically because of our diets.  We have moved away from the healthy, natural, omega-3 rich foods that we used to eat, and instead now subsist on vast amounts of foods containing soy, corn, palm, and cottonseed oils.  The consumption of soy oil alone has increased a thousand-fold over the last 100 years.

What this has done is totally throw the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids out of whack.  We are consuming far more omega-6 fatty acids now than omega-3s, and this is very bad.  While we need both types of omega fatty acids and the inflammation that they cause in order to have a strong immune system, omega-6s produce far more inflammation than the body needs, which can be harmful.

Omega-3 fatty acids balance out the harmful effect that can be caused by unchecked levels of omega-6s.  Your levels of omega-3 fatty acids will ideally be higher than those of omega-6 in order to prevent the diseases caused by chronic inflammation.  Low levels of DHA omega-3 fish oils and depression will be remedied once a DHA rich omega-3 dietary supplement is added to your diet.

Make no mistake about it, the connection between fish oils and depression has been made and omega-3 fatty acid fish oil supplements are the answer to all of your problems.

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-the-benefits-associated-with-fish-oils-and-depression-1398572.html

Facts About Vitamins

Science concurs with the practice of taking a daily multi-vitamin. The American Medical Association (AMA) says that “sub-optimal levels of vitamins are associated with increased risk of chronic diseases”, and that “all adults should take daily vitamin supplements.” Harvard University refers to daily vitamins as “micronutrient insurance”. It’s obvious that we can all benefit from vitamins but how do you choose the best multi-vitamin?

The first and best thing to do is check for pharmaceutical grade standards. The overwhelming majority of vitamins are not regulated properly. With the majority of vitamin companies, you really don’t know what you’re getting or if your body will even be able to absorb and use the vitamins. Pharmaceutical grade vitamins are held to the same strict standards as pharmaceutical medications. It ensures you that your body is actually getting what it advertises.

The next thing to do is check for completeness. Does your multiple vitamin go above and beyond the recommended daily allowance (RDA) and deliver optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals that act synergistically to give you the most benefit? The only way to answer these questions without spending hours on the internet researching vitamin companies is to ask the experts.

Nutrisearch is the authority on nutritional supplements. It’s their job to subjectively rate the quality of all supplements. It reveals the quality of every vitamin brand using very strict guidelines by an unbiased panel of physicians. They deliver the facts about vitamins like you’ve never seen before. Your search is over. The Superfood-Guru has done the research for you.

Get the Facts About Vitamins backed by scientific research. The Superfood-Guru reveals the best multi-vitamin with the highest rating by nutrisearch.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/facts-about-vitamins-1380023.html

ACNE (Acne Vulgaris) – Causes, Types and Herbal Remedies

Introduction

The sudden onset of a ‘zit’ before a date is every teenager’s nightmare. Most teenagers – and a large percentage of adults – suffer from Acne Vulgaris, which can shows up as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. A recent study conducted in the USA revealed that 17 million people suffer from acne, spawning a large market for anti-acne products.

Causes

Skin pores contain oil glands which keep the skin and hair lubricated. Sometimes, these sebaceous pores become clogged with excess oil and bacteria, resulting in acne. Broadly, the causes of acne may be the following:

  • Bacteria, which easily infects oil glands and pores
  • Wrong diet, irregular meals, excessive intake of starches, sugar, and fatty foods
  • Chronic constipation
  • Hormonal activity, particularly in teenagers
  • Incorrect use of cosmetics that clog the pores
  • Genes

Types of acne

  • Whiteheads: Whiteheads are caused when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the surface.
  • Blackheads: Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is caused by a reaction of the skin’s own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air.
  • Papules: Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head.
  • Pustules: A pustule is similar to a whitehead, but is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center.
  • Severe acne vulgaris is characterized by nodules and cysts.
    • Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin’s surface, and are prone to leaving behind scars.
    • An acne cyst can appear similar to a nodule, but is pus-filled and painful.
  • Acne Rosacea can look similar to the acne vulgaris and is visible in patches.
  • Severe forms of acne include acne conglobata (large lesions) and pyoderma faciale (severe facial acne afflicting only females.

Prevention

  • Eat healthy. Include fresh fruits and vegetables and anti-oxidants such as tomatoes in your diet.
  • Stay clean. Use a natural antibacterial, non-oily face wash/body wash. Those containing tea tree oil are a good option. Do not scrub your face, which can irritate the skin. The aim of washing is to remove dirt and oil from the pores.
  • If you have constipation, treat it immediately.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Avoid chocolate, fried food, and refined sugar.
  • Take B-complex and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin’s resistance to acne.
  • Watch where you put your face: don’t place your cheek against things and surfaces that may carry infection, such as telephone receivers, window panes, used pillow cases etc.

Remedies

  • Do NOT squeeze or pop a pimple. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, leaving permanent scars.
  • Wash your face with warm salt water. This will get rid of the oil and dirt without irritating the acne.
  • Apply cucumber paste on your face. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
  • Aloe vera gel is an effective natural cure for acne. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
  • If you get a bad case of acne, see a dermatologist.

Herbal Remedies and Herbs Supplements for Acne (Acne Vulgaris)

Skinelle Cream – natural treatment for Acne and Pimples

Skinelle cream is an effective and safe natural treatment for Acne and pimples. Its main ingredients Manjishtha, Haridra and Sariva have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which eradicate infection in acne. Skinelle has no side effects and is safe for long term application.

Purim

Purim from Himalaya Herbals is a herbal, ayurvedic formulation. Purim also known as Hemocare is a blood purifier. The various constituents of Purim have antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatic stimulant, wound healing and anti-allergic properties. Most of the constituents of Purim are used in the treatment of skin disease and promote wound healing. Purim with its anti-allergic property is beneficial in the control of pruritus associated with skin infections

more at http://www.anytimeherbal.com

Neal Kapoor is a keen follower of trends in Ayurveda and Health Supplements. He also has professional interests in the field and manages a website called anytimeherbal.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/acne-acne-vulgaris-causes-types-and-herbal-remedies-1380351.html

Learn about the Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements

According to recent studies, one of the benefits of fish oil supplements is a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration or ARMD.  Before these findings were reported, we had already learned that an increased intake of the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin could reduce the risk of ARMD and was even beneficial in those that already had the condition.

Overall, considering everything that we have learned in recent years, I for one believe that many of the diseases commonly associated with aging are preventable.  Numerous researchers seem to agree.

At least one research group has referred to low intake of omega-3 fatty acids as a preventable cause of death.  Over the years, the benefits that have been linked to increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids include a reduced risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, cancer, wrinkles, baldness, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and depression.

But, what there are two things that the average person needs to understand.  Number one, it is not a magic pill or a miracle drug.

While the benefits of fish oil supplements and an increased intake of omega-3s, in general, are numerous, they cannot make up for a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits.  Tons of research has shown that regular physical activity reduces the risks of all kinds of age-related diseases.

Without regular physical activity, you cannot expect to live a long healthy life, regardless of what supplement you take.  Your overall nutritional intake is important, too.  As with ARMD, lutein and zeaxanthin, there are other nutrients that reduce the risk of chronic diseases, too.  Most studies indicate that it is the carotenoids that are most important, which means we need to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Number two, one supplement is not as good as any other.  Since the benefits of fish oil supplements are due primarily to the omega-3 content, you will need to read labels carefully and do a little comparative shopping before you buy.

In most cases, you will be looking at 1000mg gelatin capsules.  But, what’s inside of those capsules?  It’s basically a gram of fat.

The different fatty acids in the capsule may be omega-3s, 6s or 9s.  In some cases, companies add soy bean oil or some other type of “carrier” oil.  The goal may be to increase the omega-3 intake or to save money.

If you want all of the benefits of fish oil supplements and you want the best value for your money, you want to choose a brand that is at least 50% omega-3s.  No more than 4% should be omega-6s.  We get enough of those in our diets, anyway.

On the back of the bottle, the amount of the individual omega-3s known as Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid that will be found in each capsule should be listed.  This amount will vary from one brand to the next.  There is no standard, accepted formula for these products.

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/learn-about-the-benefits-of-fish-oil-supplements-1370251.html

The Healing Benefits of Fish Oil In Our Body

Did you know that there are healing benefits of fish oil? Believe it or not, there are actually quite a few, and one of the main ones is helping with cardiovascular disease, as a treatment alternative. Cardiovascular disease is a prominent killer in the U.S., typically brought on by chronic inflammation and poor lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, too much stress, and lack of sleep.

While the causes of cardiovascular disease are still not entirely known, evidence does suggest that a healthy lifestyle lowers the risk of having it. In addition, experts believe that emotional or physical trauma is an important factor for getting it, and that cardiovascular disease victims suffer from frequent abnormal transmission responses to pain.

Insomnia and sleep disorders take their toll in cardiovascular disease patients, and a lack of sleep is one major cause of inflammation and stress on the body. Not only are the healing benefits of fish oil applicable to cardiovascular disease in general, but they also apply to many symptoms that exacerbate the disease. The potential to alleviate both symptoms and the disease itself is a powerful part of fish growing appeal.

For example, fish oil is known to lower triglycerides, improve cholesterol, thin the blood, and even unclog blocked arteries! It truly is like a miracle cure. Of course it won’t be nearly as effective if you don’t enjoy a healthy lifestyle, but the healing benefits of it extend not only to treatment, but also to prevention, of cardiovascular disease.

Take chronic inflammation as a good example. When you have chronic inflammation, you could eventually suffer from a number of dangerous conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, etc. You can also suffer from conditions that lower your quality of life, such as acne and arthritis. The problem with inflammation is that the body is often attacking itself, a condition referred to as an autoimmune disease (attacking oneself).

Fish oil specifically works to counteract not only the inflammation you’re experiencing, but also many of the other causes of these conditions. If you are suffering from heart troubles, you not only can lower your risk by reducing inflammation, but you can also help by alleviating many of the causes, like clogged arteries and high cholesterol. It helps with depression too, by giving the brain more of what it’s made of: DHA (one of the Essential Fatty Acids found in this oil).

Overall, the healing benefits of fish oil are as astounding as they are numerous. For a huge number of conditions, this allows you to either fully recover from them or provide some relief from symptoms. Best of all, over your lifetime, you’re less likely to develop the conditions that claim so many lives. Just make sure that when you go out and get your fish oil, you buy the kind called “pharmaceutical-grade”, which leaves out all of the nasty toxins and contaminants that are commonly found dumped in rivers and oceans. Hopefully you can start enjoying the many healing benefits of fish oil soon!

Emile Jarreau, aka, Mr. Fat Loss is fascinated by health, nutrition and weight loss. For more great info about fish oil for losing weight and keeping it off visit http://www.MrFatLoss.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-healing-benefits-of-fish-oil-in-our-body-1371482.html

How to Compare Fish Oils

If you compare fish oil, you will see that there are three basic kinds on the market.  The one that has been around for more years than any other is the natural triglyceride form.

Triglycerides are a kind of fat, composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol or glycerin molecule.  High triglycerides in the bloodstream are a risk factor for heart disease and other health problems, which is why we are told to limit our intake of dietary fats.

But, in the 1970s, researchers reported that the Greenland Eskimos had a very low incidence of heart disease (practically non-existence), even though their diets were very high in fat.  The kinds of fats in their diets were primarily those found in fatty fish and seal meat.

That’s when researchers began to compare fish oils to other kinds of fats.  They learned that the fats found in seafood were primarily omega-3 fatty acids; news that they shared with the public.

By comparison, the fats found in the typical American diet include a lot of trans-fatty acids, saturated fats and omega6 fats.  And, the American incidence of heart disease is very high.  It is still the number one killer of men and women of all races.

When you compare fish oil, you will also see the concentrated esters, which are also natural and readily available for use by the human body, but they have been distilled to remove contaminants such as mercury.  The distillation process also makes the omega-3 concentration higher than it is in the triglyceride form.

But, there is reason to believe that the natural triglyceride form has more anti-inflammatory activity; that the distillation process removes some quotient of the oil that is beneficial to your health.  That’s why there is another kind on the market.  That kind is a 50/50 mix of natural triglycerides and concentrated esters.

The purpose is to provide the highest possible level of omega-3 fatty acids, while providing the highest degree of anti-inflammatory activity.  So, when you compare fish oils, it’s a good idea to look for the 50/50 mix.

You may be aware that inflammation plays a role in arthritis and other painful conditions.  But, did you know that it plays a role in heart disease and cancer, as well?

Many people are unaware of the toll that chronic inflammation plays on the body.  One of the reasons that obesity is bad for the health is that fat cells burst and cause inflammation.

When you compare fish oils, you may notice that many manufacturers do not list the anti-inflammatory action as a benefit.  That’s because they are not allowed to.  In the US, if something has anti-inflammatory activity, then it is a drug and it must be regulated as such.

Dietary supplements and foods are regulated differently.  If a manufacturer wants to make a health claim concerning a nutrient or a food, they must appeal to the FDA.  Their appeals are often denied.

Make no mistake about it.  Anti-inflammatory activity is not the only thing to consider when you compare fish oil, but it is very important.  Don’t forget about it.

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/how-to-compare-fish-oils-1352703.html