Fish Oil has a wealth of heart-protective benefits to offer, making it a principal element of cardiac disease prevention.
Overview
It is beyond doubt that fish oil is one of nature’s super foods. It has a wealth of heart-protective benefits to offer, making it a principal element of cardiac disease prevention. Its powerful anti-inflammatory benefits protect against atherosclerosis, a condition identified by the hardening and narrowing of the heart’s arteries. Among other benefits, fish oil helps promote healthy blood pressure, regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as boost skin, hair and nail health.
What is Omega-3 Fish Oil?
Omega-3 fish oil is basically anti-freeze. Yes, you read it right. It is stored in the bodies of fishes to help acclimate and prevent them from freezing in the cold waters.
The anti-freeze is produced by plants like plankton that grow in cold climates, which are collected in the fats of the cold water fish that eat these plants.
These fats called Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats.
How Does Fish Oil Work?
The Omega-3 fats found in cold water fish are very special. They are called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). They are special because they form important hormones in your body. These powerful hormones are called eicosanoid, they are made from EPA and DHA, which produce all the desired benefits of omega-3 fish oil.
Large-scale epidemiologic studies suggest that people at risk for coronary heart disease benefit from consuming Omega-3 fatty acids. Particularly those from fatty fish like trout, mackerel, tuna and salmon help:
- Decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death.
- Decrease triglyceride levels.
- Decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque.
- Lower blood pressure (slightly).
What To Look For In A Supplement?
It is important to realise that not all fish oil supplements are created in equal measures. In order to reap the optimal heart protection and anti-inflammatory benefits, investing in the best quality and high strength fish oil is crucial.
A higher concentration of more than 600mg EPA provides a bigger boost of heart-healthy benefits at a faster rate. This active compound is proven to reduce inflammation as several clinical studies have demonstrated EPS’s capacity to reduce death from major coronary events and heart disease.
Poor quality versions may have less than half the potency of high grade products. You get what you pay for. Beyond that, the cheaper versions may actually be harmful to you.
There are three (3) important factors to look for in an omega-3 fish oil supplement:
1. High Concentration
Quality supplements will naturally have higher active compounds of EPA and DHA per softgel, allowing you to consume fewer capsules while obtaining the desired effects.
The typical potency of a regular strength product will have approximately 180mg of EPA and 120mg of DHA per 1 gram softgel.
Consumer Tip:
1000 mg Fish Oil is NOT the same as 1000 mg Omega-3. Fish Oil contains Omega-3. 1000 mg retail brand Fish Oil typically contains only 300 mg Omega-3. The other 700 mg are fats that your body does not need. Always buy products with at least 70% Omega-3.
2. Purity
Seeing the fact that our oceans are becoming more and more polluted bycontaminations such as PCB’s and mercury that end up in our food chain, look for the term “molecularly distilled” and ensuring high concentrations of omega-3’s should keep you safe from pollutants.
This is a process that removes almost all the mercury, heavy metals, PCB’s, dioxins and other chemicals that could be in the raw materials.
3. No Fishy Burps
Quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement is enteric-coated. It prevents the softgels from dissolving in your stomach. Instead, the softgels gradually dissolve in the much gentler environment of the intestines. It also reduces fish burps that people hate!
Remarks:
- This article is a courtesy of Natures Scienceuticals Sdn Bhd.
- For more product information, please email [email protected] or call 03-6200 0621.
