Posts tagged ‘flax’

Sometimes Suggesting The Best Fish Oil Is Not Enough

For years when someone would mention that they had found the best fish oil people would just roll their eyes believing that the messenger was simply some kind of health nut pushing another brand of snake oil. But a strange thing happened to this fellow on his way to the natural health funny farm; science started to support his enthusiasm for finding the best fish oil. 

Nevertheless, still omega 3 rich supplements such as fish oil and flax oil are being met with a great deal of skepticism. I know this because just the other day I happened to hear a conservation between a couple in their late 40’s or early 50’s that was quite enlightening. The man who was in somewhat poor health, who had a history of heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis, had paid a visit to his long time doctor for his annual checkup. Expecting a new wiz band medication he was shocked when the doctor asked him if he had considered supplementing his diet with the best fish oil he could find. I don’t know what was said between doctor and patient after that but what I do know is what this man said to his wife. Rather than embracing the new side effect free supplementation ideas he rebelled, and was furious that his physician had suggested something like this after all this time. After all he needed help, not some natural fish oil that couldn’t possibly produce any noticeable results. He then mentioned that the doctor must have found this information on the Internet because he had run out of ideas. 

The truth here is that this gentleman probably has a very good doctor that keeps up with current research trends rather than staying stuck in the past. Many top cardiologist have are embracing omega 3 rich foods and supplements due to their ability to quell general inflammation. 

This benefit found in the best fish oil supplements is thought to be produced by two essential omega 3 fatty acids; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA is essential for the proper functioning of our brains as adults, and for the development of our nervous system and visual abilities during the first six months of life. In addition, omega 3 fatty acids as a part of a healthy diet plan have a positive effect on existing heart disease, help lower triglycerides,  lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of blood clots, improve artery health, and reduce the amount of plaque in the arteries. 

So the doctor was really trying to tell this man what they were doing wasn’t having the desired effect and that perhaps trying the best omega 3 rich fish oil he could find just might improve his overall prognosis. 

What Next? Finding the best fish oil or best fish oils involves both purity and high DHA levels. Generally the best fish oil is considered to be pharmaceutical grade and contains fish body oils from cold water fish such as salmon, herring, hoki, and/or tuna. Also, make sure molecular distillation has been used to separate the toxins (mercury etc…) from the fish oil based on molecular weight fractionation.

Rob Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field of natural health and wellness.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

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Discover the Best Omega-3

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times.  Fish and seafood are arguably the best omega-3 sources in the world.  But, for many reasons, people may be concerned about eating fish and seafood on a regular basis.

That’s probably one of the reasons that so many people take fish oil supplements.  It is the biggest selling dietary supplement in the US, according to surveys.  It’s more popular than green tea, ginkgo biloba or ginseng.  Only standard multi-vitamins are better sellers.

But, are people really getting what they are paying for?  Are they getting the best value for their money?  Would it make more sense just to eat a little fish every day?

As long as you stay on top of the consumption advisories for fish that are high in mercury or other contaminants, then including seafood in your diet is a good choice.  It is usually lower in total fat than other meat choices and it provides a variety of different nutrients.  But, if you want to be sure that you are getting enough EPA and DHA to meet your body’s daily needs then a fish oil supplement is the best choice.

The amount of total omega-3s in seafood varies, as does the DHA and EPA content.  Although you need both and some ALA, too, the best omega-3 is probably DHA.

DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is found in large quantities in the brain and in the back of the eye.  Numerous studies have shown that fish oil lowers total blood triglycerides and increases the blood content of HDL (good) cholesterol.  At least one study has shown that DHA has a greater effect on those two health factors than EPA.

In studies concerning depression, DHA has been more effective than EPA, but the greatest benefits have been seen when both DHA and EPA are given to depressed individuals.  So, the best omega-3 for depression is a fish oil supplement rich in DHA and EPA.

What about other types of supplements?  Well, flax seed provides only ALA, which means it is not a “complete” supplement.  Marine algae provide only DHA.  So, it’s not complete, either.

The better fish oils provide DHA, EPA and the lesser known DPA or Docosapentaenoic acid, which is believed to be important to good cardiovascular health.  That’s truly the most complete supplement that you can get.  ALA is found in a number of different foods.  So, supplementation is really unnecessary.

In terms of getting value for your money, the best omega-3 supplement is one that is rich in DHA.  Looking at the grams of DHA per bottle and looking at the cost per bottle will help you determine value for your money.

You’ll also want to be sure that the supplement you choose is free of contaminants, such as mercury or PCBs.  The better manufacturers post a copy of an independent laboratory analysis proving the supplement’s purity, freshness and nutritional content.

So, while seafood is the best omega-3 source, a supplement is a better choice for most people.  It’s a more affordable and simply an easier option for insuring you are well nourished.

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.

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Is Organic Flaxseed Oil a Good Source of Omega 3?

There is a renewed interest today in organic flax seed oil as the many benefits of omega 3 come to light and are more publicized than ever. So is this a good source?

The answer is both yes and no!

Organic flax seed oil is rich in omega 3 and carries many benefits but is nowhere near as effective as the fatty acids you get from fatty fish so unless you are vegetarian, fish oils are much better. Let me explain why.

Flax seed will give you a short chained fatty acid known as ALA which affect the body in a different way to the other ones and has proven to be far less effective especially as it cannot be converted into the main two, DHA and EPA, very easily.

Many argue that it can be converted but new evidence shows this happens seldom, if ever.

Fish oils provide you with the long chained fatty acids DHA and EPA and it s the DHA that is responsible for many of the health benefits you hear about, especially brain and heart health. It can easily be converted into EPA if required by the body, but you cannot convert EPA to DHA.

As fresh fish contain so many toxins today, your very best source is actually distilled fish oil supplements as you can control the amount and quality of what you ingest.

Look for twice as much DHA as EPA and a minimum of 250mg of DHA per individual fish oil capsule for the maximum rewards like prevention of heart disease, treatment of arthritis and joint problems, lower cholesterol and improved mental well-being and brain health.

A distilled oil will have all the toxins removed like lead and arsenic and is the better and safer option and also you get more omega 3 after this process as it concentrates the oil.

So while organic flax seed oil will provide you with some limited benefits, you should look to fish oils to enjoy the maximum rewards with none of the risks.

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/is-organic-flaxseed-oil-a-good-source-of-omega-3-1424581.html

Why Settle For The Flax Seed Oil Benefits When You Get So Much More From Fish Oil?

The flax seed oil benefits pale in comparison with the sheer amount and quality of benefits from the best fish oils. The reason for this is down to the type of omega 3 that flax oil contains.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid or ALA is what gives the flax seed oil benefits and while good for the heart and cholesterol, they work differently in the body, produce much more limited benefits and are rarely, if ever, converted into the two main omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.

Of these two acids, the best source of which is fish oil, DHA is largely responsible for most of the benefits including prevention of heart attacks and strokes, improved immune system, lower blood pressure and above all, much improved brain health and mental well-being.

It can easily be converted into EPA if the body needs it, but this does not work the other way round, making it far more useful and versatile that any other fatty acid.

When you realize that over 30% of an adult brain is composed of DHA fats, it’s easy to see why they are so vital, especially as we have to get them from our diets as the body cannot make them.

It is estimated today that over ninety percent of the population is deficient in these essential fatty acids and therefore vital that we introduce more of the right kind into our diets.

The best way is via a distilled fish oil supplement with high levels of DHA, at least 250mg per capsule and one that has been molecularly distilled to remove all the toxins like mercury, lead, PCB’s and arsenic.

With more health benefits being discovered all the time from DHA fats, it makes more sense, unless you are vegetarian, to use the best fish oil supplements instead of just settling for the flax seed oil benefits.

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/why-settle-for-the-flax-seed-oil-benefits-when-you-get-so-much-more-from-fish-oil-1424583.html

Why Use Flax Seed Oil When You Get Many More Health Benefits From Fish Oil?

Although flax seed oil is a good source of omega 3′s, it does not provide the range and quality of benefits you get from the best fish oils. This is down to the type of fatty acid it contains. So unless you’re vegetarian, here are the reasons why you should avoid it in favour of fish oils.

Flax seed oil contains ALA fatty acids and while fairly effective they are no match for the power of the two mains ones, DHA and EPA.

ALA is very rarely, if ever converted into the two main ones making it much less useful. Many manufacturers argue that it is often converted but recent studies show how that is not the case.

DHA on the other hand can easily be converted into EPA, but this does not happen the other way round, making DHA the king of fatty acids, already being responsible for most of the health benefits, especially where the heart and brain are concerned.

Some of the fish oil benefits include improved heart and brain health, an improved immune system, effective treatment of arthritis and skin ailments like psoriasis and acne as well as lowering the deadly LDL or bad cholesterol levels.

The US National Eye Institute says that omega 3 can reduce the risk of age related blindness by over 30% in a recent study and found that that it helps the eyes by acting as an anti-inflammatory, one of the key features of any good fish oil.

More is being discovered all the time and to get these amazing and proven benefits look for an oil high in DHA as most have higher EPA levels because it’s much cheaper to make.

A distilled oil will have had all the dangerous toxins taken out so it’s completely safe, and this is especially vital for pregnant mother and kids.

In conclusion, despite the many good benefits of flax seed oil, it is completely blown away by the far superior health benefits that a good fish oil can provide to help you maintain optimal health now while avoiding many degenerative diseases in the future.

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/why-use-flax-seed-oil-when-you-get-many-more-health-benefits-from-fish-oil-1424584.html

Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Find Out Why They Are Important And Where To Find Them

More and more people have now begun to realize how important and beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids are for our health. In fact, this is one of the very few areas where traditional medicine and alternative medicine actually agree. Let’s take a look at how you can best take advantage of these nutrients.

Of all the Omega 3 fatty acids, the following four are the most beneficial:

- Docosahexanoic Acid – DHA

- Eicosapentaenoic Acid – EPA

- Docosapentaenoic Acid – DPA

- Alpha Linolenic Acid – ALA

Let’s talk about each of them, one by one.

ALA – This fatty acid is found most abundantly in Flax seed oil and other vegetable oils. While like other omega 3 fats, this fat also helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases, studies have shown that ALA can lead to increased risk of Macular degeneration. Flax seed oil also oxidizes easily and quickly becomes rancid. So it’s best to stick to the other omega 3 fats instead of this one.

DPA – This fatty acid is an intermediary between EPA and DHA. Its best source is from certain kinds of fish like Salmon, Mackerel, Trout and the Hoki (a New Zealand fish). It is beneficial for the heart, brain, eyes and also reduces inflammation in the body, which helps in reducing the risk of cancer. Still all in all, it plays more of a supportive role to the other two fats we will discuss now.

EPA – This has been the favorite of omega 3 enthusiasts for long. Many major fish oil brands still swear by it and use it as the primary ingredient in their oil. Latest research, however, has shown that the belief on this fat may have been a little misplaced. It’s actually DHA that is the most beneficial of all the omega 3 fatty acids.

DHA – This nutrient has finally begun to get the attention and respect it deserves. The most beneficial of all, it’s also necessary for proper brain development. In fact, almost 30% of the human brain is made up of DHA omega 3 fats only.

All said and done, no single omega 3 fat is sufficient by itself to keep us healthy. What you need is a proper mix of these fats. Your daily dosage of around 500 mg of omega 3 fats should ideally consist of about 50% DHA, 25% EPA and the rest 25% in DPA.

This is the best mix of omega 3 fatty acids that you should look for in any oil you buy.

For more information on how to select the best oil to get all the omega 3 fatty acids in the right proportion, visit my website now.

Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3 Information.To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com

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Omega 3 And Brain Development – Does It Really Help?

Omega 3 and Brain
Use it or lose it. This is what experts say about our brain. The more we use it and keep it active, the better it will perform and will remain healthy. But did you know there is something else too that is very effective at ensuring your brain’s health and well being?

Omega 3 and brain health are very closely linked. Numerous studies have proven that increasing the intake of omega 3 fats helps in improving memory and focus, benefits cognitive function and the nerve transmission process.

Omega 3 also helps in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. In children, lower levels of these fats have been linked with a lower IQ, aggression, ADHD and dyslexia.

Increasing omega 3 intake helps increase the serotonin levels in the brain and keeps depression at bay.

In short, taking more of these fats is the best thing you can do to keep your brain running in top form.

Now let’s find out what is the best source of this nutrient.

Flax seed oil is one source of omega 3 fats. It contains ALA fat inside. ALA is internally converted by our body into DHA and EPA fats and then it is able to derive the health benefits from it. This is not an efficient process and only about 5% to 25% fat is able to get converted.

It makes sense then to directly focus our efforts to take DHA and EPA fats through our diet.

Fish like Salmon, Mackerel and Hoki are amongst the best sources of these two fats. In case you’re wondering, the Hoki is a fish found in the pristine waters of the southern coast of New Zealand.

It contains high quantities of DHA and EPA and is free from any contaminants too due to the clean ocean waters there.

One option of taking these fats is to directly eat these fish as a part of your regular diet. This is easier said than done as not only would it quickly become monotonous, but expensive too.

A much easier option to get omega 3 and brain benefits is to take a fish oil supplement derived from these DHA rich fish. In less than the cost of one meal of fish, you can get a month’s supply of the supplement.

Your next step? To take what you’ve learned and get omega 3 and brain benefits from the right fish oil. Visit my website for more information.

Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3 Information.To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com

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Are Omega3 Fats Good For Health?

Answer is yes, omega3 fats are good for health. You might say, “A fat — Good for health; how is this possible?” This is not your fault. We all as layman always related fats and health inversely. But let me tell you this is a wrong notion.

Fats can be classified into 2 broad categories –

Bad Fat – These are saturated fats that not only clog the arteries, but also raise the total cholesterol as well as the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in our body. They are made up from dairy products and animal fat – beef, chicken, pork and lamb. These fats should be avoided as much as possible as they result in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, over weight etc.

Good Fat – These are the unsaturated ones and are required by our body to fight the diseases that are caused after consuming excess of bad fat. They help in over all development of various organs like brain, nervous system etc. One such good fat is omega3.
Omega3 fats are the long chain polyunsaturated essential fats that cannot be manufactured by our body, so they have to be taken explicitly in our daily diet. They are commonly known as omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds, oils, nuts, eggs, fish are some of the rich sources of Omega3 fats.

Benefits of Omega3 fats -

Omega-3 fatty acids have tendency to increase HDL (good) cholesterol, decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and decrease triglycerides thus, resulting in better blood circulation. Development of plaque and blood clots are the two main reasons of clogged arteries. Blood thinning property of Omega3 fats inhibits this clogging and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Anti inflammatory properties of omega 3 reduces the inflammation and improves the lung functions in people suffering from asthma. Clinical studies have found that intake of fatty acids improves our bone strength by depositing more calcium in bones. They are also helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Regular diet of these fats improves the concentration levels in kids. It reduces their anxiety levels, increases their learning skills, and thus helps them in getting better grades. Researches prove that omega 3 fats calms down ADHD symptoms, reduces Dyslexia and are very helpful with Autism.

Experts believe that various issues regarding brain health are related to these fatty acids.  Depression, mood swings, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can improve with consistent use of fish oil supplements.

Now that you know that all fats are not dangerous, some are essential too. I would request you to start taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements to compensate the deficiency in your body. To know more on benefits of omega3 and how to pick the most <a target=”_blank” href=”http://omega3brief.com”>effective omega 3 supplement</a>, please visit my website.

Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products.Visit his website http://omega3brief.com today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils.

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DHA Supplements – Do I Need Them?

You might disagree but hear me out on this; more than 80% of us are deficient in omega 3 fatty acids and need DHA supplements to bridge the gap. Ill effects of these deficiency may be dormant for some time but believe me they will be evident sooner or later in the form of high cholesterol, sleep disorder, strokes, heart attacks, loss of vision, etc.
So why not take safety measures now – remember prevention is better than cure.

Why DHA Supplements?

DHA is a form of omega 3 fatty acids that are not produced in our body but are essential for various organs of our body to work properly. So we have to take them explicitly in our diet. Vegetarian sources i.e. flaxseeds and oil does not contain DHA but body can convert fatty acids in them to DHA. Since conversion may not always be effective, it is recommended to consume food products rich in DHA like fish.

Since ocean water and hence the fishes in them are not free from toxins, good quality DHA supplement is recommended.

Benefits of DHA supplements

Pregnant women are often told to take these supplements regularly. This helps in reducing chance of developing pre-eclampsia and postpartum depression. This also reduces the chance of premature births and cesarean.

DHA supplements play a vital role in the growth of kids also. It helps in better hand/eye coordination, immunity development, improvement in mental sharpness, comprehension and vocabulary skills.

Human brain is made up of a high percentage of fat. Docosahexaenoic acid commonly known as DHA constitutes of more than 50% of the fat in brain.
Lower levels of DHA can hamper the brain growth and may affect brain performance. This may result in diseases like Dyslexia and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

People suffering from diabetes tend to have high triglyceride and low HDL levels. DHA helps in lowering triglycerides and apoproteins, cholesterol and blood pressure. They also help in increasing HDL levels.

Best way to prevent heart disease is to eat low-fat and polyunsaturated (DHA is one of such fat) diet. Heart attack occurs when artery supplying blood to heart is blocked. Studies prove that regular intake of DHA supplement breaks up the clots and thus protect us from heart attack and stroke.

As you can see DHA is one such fatty acid that has important for everybody and in various stages of life. Right from the day when we as humans are conceived i.e. fetus, till we grow old passing through various phases of a child and an adult; we need DHA at every stage to prevent some or the other ailment.

In nutshell – you cannot choose to ignore the DHA deficiency. To learn more on the benefits of DHA and <a target=”_blank” href=”http://omega3brief.com”>effective DHA supplements</a>, visit my website.

Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products.Visit his website http://omega3brief.com today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils.

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How to Find the Correct Dosage of Fish Oil

At one time, parents gave their kids a dosage of fish oil to keep their digestive systems regular, protect against rickets and prevent vitamin A deficiency.  Back then, no one knew about the benefits in brain development or the essential nature of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, in particular.

Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids called DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid).  Fatty fishes are actually the only dietary source of those polyunsaturated fatty acids.  The fishes get theirs from marine algae or by eating smaller fishes.

A different omega-3 called ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is present in vegetable oils, such as olive and flax seed.  While ALA is essential to human health, its primary purpose is to be converted to EPA and then to DHA.

Since the conversion process is relatively slow and the amount of conversion varies from one person to the next, most doctors now suggest the consumption of 5-7 servings of fatty fish per week or a daily dosage of fish oil.  Some doctors suggest both.

We do have to be careful about choosing a low-mercury species.  Most doctors recommend only two servings per week for pregnant women or women that can become pregnant.  But, realizing the importance of DHA for the developing fetus, they usually recommend a daily DHA supplement, too.

For children, most supplement manufacturers suggest 1000mg per day.  But, as a parent, you must be careful about which supplement you choose.  The purity must be unquestionable.  The manufacturer should provide access to a certificate of analysis from an independent lab verifying that no mercury, lead, PCBs or other contaminants are present.

The omega-3 content and the DHA content vary greatly, as well.  So, those need to be verified, too.  The better brands provide a minimum of 500mg of total omega-3s and 280mg of DHA, per 1000mg dosage of fish oil.

For adults, most supplement manufacturers recommend 2000mg or 2 capsules per day.  Some popular diet doctors recommend as much as 3000mg per day.  Researchers have proven that a person can safely take up to 3000mg per day with no increased bleeding risk.

Cardiac and arthritis patients may need to take a larger dosage of fish oil, but that is something to discuss with your doctor.  Recent studies show that there is no increased bleeding risk among cardiac patients that take aspirin, omega-3 supplements and a blood thinner, but a regimen like that should be closely monitored by a physician.

Every part of the body may be benefitted by increased omega-3 intake.  Researchers have noted benefit to the brain, cardiovascular system, immune system, digestive system, the joints, the hair and the skin.  One study showed that a supplement may reduce a person’s wrinkles by improving the firmness of their skin.

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-find-the-correct-dosage-of-fish-oil-1351330.html