Has this ever happened to you? I was very annoyed after it happened to me!
Some years ago a pharmacist suggested it would be good for me to take fish oil capsules to increase my omega 3 essential fatty acid intakes to help my high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
He sold me a big container of 400 soft gels and said take 2 capsules 3 times a day.
I took them religiously for a couple of years until about 18 months ago when I became more interested in researching and learning about health issues in general, and particularly how fish oil and multi vitamin supplements may help my health more.
Looking back I guess what annoyed me the most, is how naive I was in taking his advice without really understanding the issues. I think most people tend do the same because they don’t have time or the inclination to look into these matters themselves.
Conditioning leads us to be easily persuaded by recommendations from an authority figure like a pharmacist, you understand they are trained and knowledgeable — so you are confident they have your best interests at heart.
However I have learnt it’s not that simple. Even if you are given what appears to be sound advice and a recommendation for a fish oil product, it may not be the best and most effective option for you.
As it happens the soft gels I took had low levels of essential fatty acids compared to the overall amount of fish oil, and to make matters worse the amount of EPA was twice the level of DHA.
I have since learnt that about 50% of the total capsule content should be omega-3 fatty acids and the other 50% fish oil. Also the amount DHA should be approximately double the amount of EPA.
So you can understand how annoyed I was taking these soft gels for a few years only to realize I had not been taking the optimal amount and the fatty acid quantities were the wrong way around, therefore I didn’t get the health benefits I could have had.
When we talk about essential fatty acid it means your body needs it, but doesn’t make it by itself — there are 2 types you need to know about.
Linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) comes from a variety of vegetables, nuts, sunflower and certain oils. As it happens our Western diet is rich in this acid, so we tend to get too much of it.
Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid) sources are green vegetables, pumpkin and mustard seeds, soybean oil and flaxseed that has high ALA levels. Sources rich in DHA and EPA are fish oil from cold water dwelling fatty fish like cod, salmon, herring, tuna and mackerel.
The general idea is to try and reduce your omega-6 consumption and increase your omega-3 intake to get an optimal balance, particularly DHA and EPA
If you think your essential fatty acid intake is inadequate for good health try to eat more oily fish, however you may be interested to take the easier and more affordable option of supplementing your diet with fish oil omega-3 DHA and EPA fatty acids.
If your interested to find out more and to better understand fish oil issues, visit my website below.
Discover the best available today.
John P. Stevens is a long time user; researcher and writer on health issues particularly fish oil and natural supplements. He only recommends natural substances that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. To learn more about the many benefits of fish oil, Go to ==> today.
Let’s face it, if you are unfortunate enough to suffer from arthritis and you’re not supplementing your diet with fish oil high in DHA fatty acid you’re probably doing yourself a disservice
The evidence is pretty much overwhelming these days based on the findings of hundreds of scientific research studies on the benefits of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on arthritis particularly rheumatoid arthritis.
Just the other day I read an article about how researchers from Queen Mary, University of London and Harvard medical school have recently discovered that your body can convert DHA fatty acid into the chemical Resolvin D2.
They said this discovery was very important because Resolvin D2 apparently could be used as a base to treat inflammation involved in causing illness, which can also lead to serious diseases.
Most of us already understand that our body cannot make its own omega-3 so it gets it from a variety of vegetables and oils, with flaxseed having very high levels of ALA.
However the best source of DHA and EPA is from cold-water sea dwelling fish like mackerel, cod, herrings, tuna and salmon.
By increasing the amount of oily fish you consume each week, or by supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acid capsules, you will add another method of helping to reduce your rheumatoid arthritis suffering. Always remember to consult your doctor before starting any new supplementation.
If you do decide to use fish oil supplements to increase your levels of especially DHA and EPA, make sure to thoroughly check out and evaluate the brand you intend to . There are hundreds of fish oil capsules available on the market, so take care to find the purest and safest one with the right DHA to EPA blend.
There’s really no doubt about it — DHA fatty acid arthritis fish oil capsules used in conjunction with your regular rheumatoid arthritis medication can be even more beneficial in helping to relieve your painful condition.
If your interested to find out and understand more about the DHA fatty acid I choose to take daily, visit my website below.
Discover the best available today.
John P. Stevens is a long time user; researcher and writer on health issues particularly fish oil and natural supplements. He only recommends natural substances that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. To learn more about the many benefits of fish oil, Go to ==> today.
Let me assure you suffering from high blood pressure and cholesterol is no fun at all — I have been taking medication for both of these problems for many years.
It is probably too late for me to get off them now, however changing to a superior brand of fish oil supplements 6 months ago has helped reduce both my blood pressure and cholesterol level a little bit.
It is pretty much beyond doubt omega-3 DHA and EPA fatty acids benefit your body and mind in many ways.
None more so than by helping to improve arterial health by reducing triglycerides and balancing HDL and LDL cholesterol better. Naturally having an improved blood flow reduces our risk of getting blood clots from clogged arteries that can result in a heart attack or stroke.
Arguably the best way to get more fish oil in your diet is to eat oily fish 2 to 3 times a week.
Unfortunately this solution usually turns out to be easier said than done, we start out with good intentions of buying fresh fish each week but often don’t get around to it. Then of course there is the cost issue… 30 years ago fish was cheap to — but those days are long gone.
For many years now I have been taking fish oil supplements daily. However it’s only been in the last six months that I realized buying the cheapest ones, and not fully understanding the real issues has meant that I haven’t been getting the most benefits from taking them — which I should have got.
When I became interested in researching fish oil supplements I soon realized the amount of fatty acids in each soft gel is the most important ingredient. Also it became apparent that having almost double the amount of DHA to EPA omega-3 fatty acid ratio was equally as important.
Seriously think about consuming more fish oil, based on the hundreds of scientific and clinical tests conducted over the last few years, it’s pretty much beyond doubt omega-3 fatty acids are very beneficial in helping to control and improve both your blood pressure and cholesterol balance.
If your interested to understand and find out more about fish oil blood pressure and the omega-3 fatty acids I now take daily, visit my website below.
Discover the best available today.
John P. Stevens is a long time user; researcher and writer on health issues particularly fish oil and natural supplements. He only recommends natural substances that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. To learn more about the many benefits of fish oil, Go to ==> today.
For many of those searching for the next top weight loss supplement or the ideal fat pill, the idea of eating any more fat would sound counter-productive. The general thinking seems to be that fat is bad an that non-fat is better than regular. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Although are many ways to lose weight fast, there are some fats that can help weight loss by eating some!
Take for example, a top weight loss supplement; conjugated linoleum acid (CLA) This fatty acid is probably the BEST fat for fast weight loss. However, some people are still skeptical when you suggest that they should eat fat or that some fat is actually needed in a healthy and well balanced diet. For the die-hard fat fearer, the word fat equals fat and that is that!
To eliminate every single source of fat from our diets would be next to impossible to and as previously stated, some fats that are beneficial and actually need to be included in our diet daily, especially when have goals of health and weight loss. By including in your diet foods that are plentiful sources of these good fats, not only can you lose weight, but in the long run you’ll be healthier too. After eating any type of fat, our body must break it down in this case to fatty acids and glycerol, a more usable form. Fatty acids are often used as fuel for resting muscles. If needed, Glycerol can be converted back into glucose for energy, by a long sequence of reactions.
There are however, certain types of fat have no benefit for the body whatsoever – they are dangerous and should be avoided. Animal-based saturated fats are the biggest culprits, as they are simply carried back to our storage centers un-metabolized. Having such a diet that is high in animal-based saturated fats will ultimately lead to clogging and thickening of the arterial walls – or atherosclerosis, as well as elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure and hardened arteries presents a real problem for you and your heart.
The Omega 3′s and other beneficial fats like (CLA) conjugated linoleic acid, can help prevent and reduce the effects of heart disease. Damage caused by cholesterol in and around the heart have been prevented by CLA and the Omega 3′s.
Whether enhanced or working well, lipid metabolism in the body will either use the lipids for immediate energy or flush them out instead of storing them. When a fatty meal is consumed, some insulin will be released, although not nearly as much as with a high carbohydrate meal. The more likely it is that there will be some body fat storage based on the amount of insulin that is released by the body. With lipids however, the insulin release is not as high unless some carbohydrates are eaten as well (most fatty meals contain some carbohydrates). The body will tend to focus on the carbohydrates first. Essentially, adding beneficial fatty acids to the diet can enhance the body’s attempts to dispose of the excess fats – even before it has finished processing the carbohydrates.
Excellent food sources of Omega 3′s include: fatty fish like salmon, trout, and halibut; walnuts; and olive oil. CLA is found typically in beef, lamb, veal, poultry, milk, and cheese.
These fatty acids are commonly found in supplements and other fat pills or lose weight pills. Realistically, it is can be difficult to ingest enough of these fatty acids without also ingesting larger caloric amounts of protein as well. As a result, they make for top weight loss supplements, or components of health and lose weight pills.
Craig Niccerelli is the editor of the fitness and health loss blog at my topweightlosssupplement.com
Then, insist on a safe and health plan for success!
Taking omega3 daily is second nature to those of us who are already convinced of the numerous health benefits to be accrued. Some serious science is now coming forward and telling us that as a general rule, we’re not getting near enough of this essential fatty acid and the nutrients they contain. Nutrients that are essential.
The reasons why are not that difficult to work out when you see the explosion in obesity in our modern day society, and its related problems. What we’re eating are too many of the wrong things which, according to those in the medical world is changing our brain chemistry. Lack of these essential fatty acids in our daily diet is being talked about as a reason more people are suffering cognitive disorders, mood and anxiety swings, memory loss and even anti social behaviour in teenagers.
By taking omega3 daily, many have witnessed noticeable improvements in symptoms within the conditions just mentioned. I’ve even read about family doctors who have experienced seeing their own patients getting visibly better when told to include fish oils in their daily dietary regimen.
But, there are also other equally vital health areas where they are proving beneficial, like your heart, skin and even within pregnancy. The good news just keeps on rolling out, and I have even noticed favorable articles in many national newspapers and health magazines in recent times.
If you want to partake in taking omega3 daily your next step should be in trying to understand what factors determine a quality supplement. Not surprisingly as the market has expanded, it has resulted in a mind boggling array of choice and pricing. That last point is worth noting as that is not always a proper reflection of either quality or effectiveness.
True comparisons involve knowing something about what quality of fish oils are used, where they originate from, how well they are harvested and kept, how pure they are and the dosage per capsule.
Find one that ticks many or all of those boxes and you are on to a winner. But, look no more as I have done the looking for you, just follow the link to my main site to see what I’ve found. It’s often the little known about makers who come up trumps.
First off, you do not need supplements in to gain muscle. Supplements make a 20% difference in your results. It’s the hard work, eating whole foods and recovery that is the other 80% to you reaching your goals. There are many people that are muscular without taking supplements, but honestly most of us do not have the time and/or the dedication it takes to eat a balanced diet and work out consistently. This is where supplements come in to play. Supplements do not build muscle for us, but it helps our body receive the nutrients we are lacking to build muscle.
You still need to eat properly, work hard in the gym and rest in to build muscle. The question many people ask is, "there are so many supplements out there, what should I take?" The answer is not very simple because each supplement is designed to do different things. Everybodys body reacts differently to a supplement depending on each person’s needs and bodily chemistry. With that being said, there are 4 supplements that every person needs and you will find them in the cabinet of any bodybuilders home: Multivitamins, Protein Powder, Creatine, and EFA’s
Multi Vitamin
With all the processed foods inundating our supermarkets, it’s almost impossible to get all your nutritional requirements from food alone. Even if you eat nothing but whole foods, you would have to eat a large amount of food to meet all your nutritional requirements due to the inferior soils used today.
Your body is a complex machine that conducts millions of functions simultaneously. Each nutrient contributes to thousands of essential reactions that make these functions possible such as B12 for healthy red blood cell production, Iodine for thyroid regulation, and B6 for protein metabolism. Being deficient in just one nutrient is detrimental to thousands of chemical reactions within your body, which in turn will make it much harder for your body to run at its full potential.
People who put their bodies under physical stress 3-4 days a week have a higher nutritional requirement than people who live a sedentary lifestyle. I’m sure you’ve noticed after a hard workout you’re very hungry. It’s your body telling you it is low on fuel and needs to be replenished. To make sure my body is not lacking in nutrients, I like to take multivitamins with a higher potency for two reasons:
Some multivitamins use inferior ingredients and not all of that 4000% Daily Value of Riboflavin or whatever it may say will be digested by your body. On the higher potency multi vitamins, I sometimes like to split up the dosage throughout the day as there are some people in the medical field that think there are too many nutrients for your body to digest at one time.
My body’s demands for nutrients on days that I workout are not the same as the days that I rest. I don’t want to be low on any nutrient if my body needs it. I’ve even heard some people on days of extreme stress like to take two doses a day; one in the morning and one after a really hard workout. The good thing about multivitamins are many of the nutrients such as vitamin C and Vitamin B are water soluble and will be excreted out of you, depending on your body’s needs.
A good multivitamin I would suggest is Animal Pak by Universal Nutrition. It is made with ingredients that are easily digestible by the body and they contain a good balance between key nutrients for building muscle, minerals for performance and amino acids for recovery.
Protein powder
We all know in to build muscle you need to eat plenty of calories and especially protein. The rule of thumb for protein is to consume 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight for muscle building. With any good muscle building plan, you need to spread those calories into 5-7 meals a day to keep your metabolism high and your nutrient intake steady. There are some medical professionals who think the body cannot digest more than 35 grams of protein per sitting and therefore is another good reason to spread out your protein intake. With our busy schedules, it is very hard for any of us to eat that many meals a day and the protein shake is the perfect substitute for 2-3 of those meals.
The three most important times to take a protein shake:
Morning: Drink a shake in the morning as soon as you get up because it is quickly digested. Your body has not had any protein for however long you have been sleeping and if your body goes into a catabolic state it starts to eat away your hard earned muscle. I drink shake as soon as you get up and then 30 minutes later I eat a normal breakfast.
Pre-workout: I prefer to take a protein shake before I workout instead of eating a meal because your body digests whey protein powder within an hour as opposed to chicken or fish which takes your body 2 to 2.5 hours to digest. That way I don’t feel bloated at the gym and I know the protein is going straight to my muscles instead of sitting in my stomach waiting to be digested.
Post workout: This is the absolute most important time to take a protein shake. This is the beginning of the all important "recovery" phase. Your muscles have been broken down from a strenuous workout and you need to get protein to them fast in to repair and build new muscle.
It is important to take any protein powder, but I think whey protein is the highest quality protein for building muscle and as a bonus it’s also one the cheapest. Whey contains all the essential amino acids for building new muscle and is also high in bioavailability so our body can digest a high amount of it. Whey is also high in BCAA which are the amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which help with and muscular breakdown. You can get a 2 lb jug of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard for under $23 dollars.
Creatine
Has been known to build muscle since the early 1900′s but, creatine was first introduced to professional athletes during the 1992 Olympics. Many English athletes admitted after the Olympics to training with creatine, which angered other athletes as they disputed that "it gave the English an unfair advantage" as they won gold medals in several track and field events as well as rowing. No penalties or disqualifications were passed out by the Olympic committee as they discovered creatine is a naturally occurring nutrient found in every skeletal muscle in the body. They also determined that creatine is abundant in foods such as red meat and fish and it would be impossible to determine if an athlete supplemented or attained it from natural food sources.
Over the last 15 years, creatine has been the most used supplement by athletes and people wanting to gain muscle. The popularity of this supplement is not a surprise as the main function of creatine is to give muscles extra energy to perform strenuous activities. Creatine is essential for short duration, high intensity exercise such as sprints or weight lifting with a max of 8 reps. When muscles are used to lift weights or to perform any kind of work, ATP is broken down to ADP and energy is released. The amount of ATP stored in the muscle will only fuel a maximum effort such as lifting a weight for 10 to 15 seconds. After that, the muscle must rely on creatine to restock its supply of ATP. Creatine promotes intense lifting by replenishing the necessary energy molecule ATP, but there are also other muscle building effects that make this supplement so popular:
Creatine buffers the development of lactic acid so you can train harder and longer.
Creatine increases muscle volumization by increasing the amount of water stored in the cells. Do not confuse this with water retention as this is intracellular water storage and not intercellular water retention. This is important as intracellular water storage boosts hydration, resulting in higher rate of protein synthesis.
Studies have shown that creatine decreases mental fatigue by increasing the amount of oxygenated red blood cells into the brain.
Creatine can increase strength by 5-15% over a short period of time. It’s also not uncommon to gain 5 to 10 lbs in a month.
Creatine increases the amount of growth hormone release during exercise. Your body naturally releases growth hormones as you exercise and creatine allows your body to lift heavier loads more frequently, which naturally causes your body to increase the amount of growth hormone secretion.
Like any other supplement, there is the perfect time and amount to take in to maximize the effects of creatine. Many say you should "load" creatine, which means, 5-10 grams a day for 5-7 days, but I don’t think you have to do this in to achieve your desired results. You may achieve your results faster by "loading" your body with creatine, but if you add it to your sports drink before and after your workouts, you will gradually achieve the same results. Absorption time depends on if you take it on an empty stomach and if you take it with a simple sugar like juice or a sports drink.
Creatine only stays in your system for 1 to 1.5 hours and if it is not used it is excreted out of your body. To maximize the short saturation period, you should take 5-10 grams of creatine 45 minutes to an hour before your workouts so your workout coincides with the saturation period. You should also take 5-10 grams post workout as you want to keep your muscles inundated with creatine during the "anabolic window".
Creatine is a must-use supplement because it provides all these muscle building benefits with very minimal adverse side effects. In the early years it was thought that creatine damages your kidneys as it is processed and excreted out of the body through the kidneys, but later research has debunked those claims. Actual side effects are minimal but, in some cases it can cause cramping and an upset stomach. If you drink plenty of water and don’t take creatine on a completely empty stomach, this should eradicate those issues.
Essential Fatty Acids
Are as well as to gain muscle. There are 2 families of EFA’s, Omega 3 and Omega 6. EFA’s are fats that cannot be produced by the body and therefore must be obtained through our diet.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 assist with many essential bodily functions:
Heart health- Improves heart rhythm, a mild blood thinner and slows the heart rate.
Cell Regulation – Regulates many processes in the cell such as oxygen use, electron transportation and energy production.
Increase Testosterone- Required for healthy testes function.
Improve insulin action- Helps to balance blood sugar levels.
Increase fat burning- Many studies have shown that test groups taking EFA’s lose more fat and retain muscle as opposed to the placebo group.
Lower cholesterol- Helps transport cholesterol in the blood stream.
Anti inflammatory- Low grade inflammation (type people cannot feel) increases the risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity and many other conditions.
Strengthen Immune system- Promote syntheses of hormones that are responsible for a healthy immune system.
Shorten recovery time- Help reduce fatigue by helping nutrients pass through cell membranes.
Brain development and function- Needed for proper nerve transmission in the brain. As you can see EFA’s are extremely important for overall health.
EFA’s are also referred to as Fish Oil as a majority of the food sources are obtained from fish and shellfish. You can also find EFA’s in small amounts in food sources such as flaxseed, hemp oil, soya oil, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, leafy vegetables. Widespread food processing has reduced the amount of Omega 3′s that are available from these food sources so it is important to supplement with EFA’s in to get the recommended daily amount of 1,000-3,000 mg a day.
Conclusion
None of these products contain dangerous hormones or any substances that are not already in your body. These supplements contain nutrients that help your body release muscle building chemicals naturally and safely. By supplementing these nutrients, you’ll be sure your body is working at 100% capacity even if your diet it not perfect.
These 4 supplements will not replace hard work, but combined with a good diet and a workout routine you will be sure to see great results. Like I mentioned earlier, you don’t need supplements in to gain muscle, but they will help you achieve your goals faster.
wants to educate people that supplements are not just for body builders or athletes, but for anybody who want to live a healthy, happy life. At StayFitNutrition.com we have . Lowest Prices, best service and fastest shipping is our commitment to you.
Everywhere you look you see information on the benefits of fish oil. The news is talking about it, the internet is a buzz and all the magazines at the grocery store have articles on it.
Everyone is talking about the fish oil skin connection — so, let’s check out some of the benefits.
We all want to keep the fresh glow on our skin. But how can we do that?
Let’s face it; life can be pretty hectic with all the things that our lives demand. And, one of those things that is so hard to do when things get crazy is to eat properly.
It is so much easier to eat prepackaged food than to cook something for yourself. This is usually when our skin starts to show the stress of our lifestyle.
A fish oil (omega3) supplement is one of the best ways to enrich the complexion of your skin. And the great thing is it is easy to take.
Omega 3 comes in capsules that you can take with you. So whether you’re at home or not at home enjoying a healthy meal it’s easy to make sure you’re getting your omega 3.
Natural ingredients in omega3 help to boast collagen levels in the skin. A healthy level of collagen in your body promotes skin elasticity. With great skin elasticity, wrinkles have a hard time forming.
There is no doubt about it, if you want to improve the condition of your skin, fish oil may be the solution you are looking for. People from all over the world have discovered the benefits of this supplement.
The great news is that not only will it improve your skin it will provide many other benefits. Take this opportunity to discover the that everyone else already knows. Visit my website today if you’re interested in learning more about omega3 and natural, high-quality products I use and recommend.
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 she uses daily.
Visit her latest site today to learn about the benefits of omega3 fish oils.
The facts are out. Medial science has proven that the use of fish oil has many benefits for our health. From heart health to skin health, there is even a fish oil brain connection that isn’t left out.
One of the most astounding finds is that the intake of omega 3 can promote a healthy brain. So if you are currently in a stage of your life where you are thinking about brain health…read on. Discover the fish oil brain connection that may make a difference in your life.
I never thought that I would ever be concerned about my brain. But, as you get older, you start thinking about how to provide your body with the best nutrients possible.
Nutrients found in food sources rich in omega3 like flax oil, various nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts and cashews) and seeds (pumpkin and sesame), farm fresh meats and eggs and greens which are found to have higher levels of essential fatty acids.
And then I soon realized, the best and most available sources of omega3 are cold water oily fish. For instance, fish like herring, mackerel, salmon and lake trout.
Because after all, it all starts with a healthy brain. Otherwise how can everything work.
Scientist from around the world are beginning to realize the importance of omega 3 to the brain. And have they ever found out some remarkable facts.
A group of scientists at Louisiana State University have found that fish oil may aid in protecting the brain from cognitive problems. This would include groups of people who have Alzheimer’s disease. With a discovery like that who needs any other motivation.
I found it hard to believe but the omega 3 in fatty fish has many other benefits for the brain. It seems to make people happier. Studies have shown that there is less depression and suicidal tendencies in people who have adequate amounts of omega 3 in their system.
There may not have been a more important medical discovery in our times than the connection between omega 3 and our mental health. The many benefits that DHA has on our brain functions cannot be over stated. You now realize the benefits of the fish oil brain connection so there is no time to lose.
If you are interested in learning more about the fish oil brain connection and searching for a high-quality , 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 she uses daily.
Visit her latest site today to learn about the benefits of omega3 fish oils.
I’m shocked! I have heard and read all kinds of dietary recommendations for increasing the essential fatty acids in your diet, but the problem with them is that there are not too many omega 3 foods available. As a matter of fact, about the only dietary recommendation that can be made concerning getting more omega-3s into your system would be to eat more fish. Increasing the servings of fish in your diet is not a good idea at all.
I am not recommending that you do not dine on fish from time to time, but I am saying that there are too many toxins found in fish nowadays to make eating it two or three times per week unacceptable. The thing about the oily fish that provide us with omega-3 fatty acids is that these toxins are continuously building over the course of their lives, so there level of toxicity could be pretty high by the time that they appear on your plate.
The regulating bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration have limits on the levels of toxins that are allowed in fish caught or farmed for food, but their so-called safe levels are far too lenient. Just about everything else that is recommended for obtaining these essential fatty acids is food with omega-6s. These fatty acids are also essential to good health, but levels of omega-6s that are too high can cause you problems.
You see both omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6s vie to be chosen by the immune system for healing wounds and fighting illnesses. Both provide the inflammation necessary for healing, but the problem is that omega-6s continue to spread inflammation after the healing is over. This continuous spread of inflammation is what leads to the development of inflammatory diseases.
The abundance of the food that we eat contains omega-6s, and so these fatty acids are almost always the predominant fatty acids in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids have the power to temper the inflammation caused by the omega-6s, and so the ratio in the body should be even or slightly in favor of the omega-3s. With the only omega 3 foods available being the toxic fish that we talked about, how are we supposed to get our levels of omega-3s up?
The only way that you can balance things out is by consuming a high quality DHA omega-3 fish oil supplement, as opposed to depending on a food with omega fatty acids. These supplements allow you to easily build up high levels of omega-3s, and there will be no question of the purity of the oil that you are taking in because the toxins in the oil will have been removed through a proprietary purification process and molecular distillation.
Bottom line, this supplement will contain DHA and EPA omega fatty acids in high concentrations that could never be attained through ingesting omega 3 foods. You will have all of the omega-3s in your system that is necessary for preventing the development of the inflammatory diseases that the typical omega-6 rich diet cause. Try a DHA omega-3 fish oil supplement, and you are sure to enjoy better health.
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 to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
Most people don’t realize this but there are a number of things to eat, both animal and plant, that are foods high in omega 3. But some have more of the important fatty acids, DHA and EPA, than others. Here’s a quick guide to omega 3 foods to help you choose.
Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for the proper functioning of the heart and brain, and can help prevent cancers. But our bodies cannot manufacture them. We must get all the fatty acids we need from our food.
You can get omega 3s by eating oily fish, grass fed beef and eggs from chickens fed on greens.
Plant foods high in omega 3 include walnuts, flaxseed, pecans, hazelnuts and soybeans.
But before you choose foods high in omega 3 from these lists you need to know a little about which types of fatty acids they contain.
The most important fatty acids are EPA and DHA. These have the greatest health benefits and are the ones you need to target in your omega 3 foods. EPA and DHA are mostly found in animal sources, such as fish.
ALA is another important fatty acid. Its benefit is that your body can use it to make EPA and the DHA. ALA is mostly found in plants, such as walnuts and flaxseed.
But our bodies are not very good at converting ALA to EPA. It’s a quite inefficient process – it requires about 11 grams of ALA to create just one gram of DHA.
Depending on what else you eat, the conversion process can get even worse. For example, if you eat a lot of margarine, bakery products or fast foods, you will be eating a lot of transfats, which interfere with the conversion of ALA to EPA.
Your age can be a factor too – the conversion process slows down even further as we get older.
So it seems that the foods high in omega 3 that will deliver the greatest benefits for your health are animal-based products. Fish oil is generally considered the best source as it is particularly high in DHA and EPA.
But it’s not all bad news for vegetarians and vegans. It is possible to find some microalgae products (seaweed) that have been produced in bioreactors to concentrate and increase their natural levels of DHA.
Eating animal foods high in omega 3 such as oily fish is an excellent way of increasing your intake of the crucial fatty acids but people sometimes find it difficult to eat enough fish each week to get a good dose.
It’s not only quantity though – you need to eat the right kind of fish, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. Unfortunately, these fish are often caught in waters that are contaminated by heavy metals, PCBs and dioxins.
This is why it has become popular in recent times to take fish oil supplements instead. The oil in the capsules can be filtered and treated to remove all traces of impurities and contaminants. You can take as little as one capsule a day and experience great benefits for your heart and general health.
Need to know more about foods high in ? Do you have any questions about fish oil supplements? Visit my website today, where I have more information and research, as well as news about products I use daily myself.
My name is Therese Samson and I promote natural approaches to health and well-being for the whole family at , where you’ll find out about the many ways omega 3 fish oil can improve heart, brain, skin and immune system health.