Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health
Health-conscious people panic at the mention of the terms "oils and fats". What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of the intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental rather than beneficial to their health. It is something that I preach to anyone who will listen. Fat is good for you but there is a difference between good and bad fat. There are plenty of benefits of fish oil that you should consider when incorporating healthy fat into your diet.
A healthy well-balanced diet trumps a fad diet any day. By eating a healthy diet, you have to eat a good amount of healthy fats. The Mediterranean diet is the best heart-healthy diet.
The Truth About Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids should always be part of our daily diet. Without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.
There are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other. However, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting, and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.
Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs causes deleterious effects. This imbalance, which causes increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, diabetes, premature aging, and certain kinds of cancer, is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.
As mentioned earlier, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes, but is not limited to, corn oil and soy oil. Both of which contain high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs are found in marine plankton, walnut, and flaxseed oils. Fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fatty acids provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970s, a study on Greenland Eskimos has revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).
EPA and DHA are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression, and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplements have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body. Having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it ís in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy. One way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.
Following a diet high in fish lowers inflammation of blood vessels, according to a study done in Athens, Greece. The results revealed that those who ate more fish had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. These are commonly used to measure the likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with a high fish diet were taken into account. Grecians eat a Meditteranean Diet.
Fish to Become Thin
Eating fish prevents hypertension and obesity as shown in a study done in Perth, Australia. . Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet that includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.
Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. Consuming fish oil benefits asthma-burdened individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer from one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of foods with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.
Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily.
Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively, but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status. If you are looking for a nutritionist, I just finished my Master's in Nutrition and would love to help! I also recommend speaking with your physician.
If you need help with your nutrition please check out my Fitness & Nutrition Programs! I would love to help you with your nutrition needs!