People have long known both the benefits as well as side effects of animal fat – chicken has very less saturated fat and many fishes like salmon and cod are rich in oils that have been known to benefit human beings in many different ways. For instance, the oil of salmon’s body and many other fishes like sardines is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which is known to benefit human beings in many ways. Omega 3 fatty acids are a collection of unsaturated fatty acids that help in preventing the buildup of ‘bad’ cholesterol called LDL and in the absorption of ‘good’ cholesterol. Thus, it is known to have many benefits for the whole human body. The most notable of its benefits are those that are aimed at the heart. Here are some ways in which fish oil benefits the heart and other parts of the body.
Fish Oil Benefits
Here are some ways in which fish oil is proven to be beneficial for the heart:
Cardiovascular Health
Fish oil, especially made from cod liver or salmon is the richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to work wonders for your heart, the arteries, the blood vessels, and every other part of the whole cardiovascular system. A treatment of giving one gram of Omega 3 fatty acids per day is known to reduce many a heart ailments. They help to lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol. This adds years to your life expectancy.
Stroke And Attack Prevention
As we all know, heart attacks are caused when the arteries that carry oxygenated blood to all parts of the body get blocked. The reason for this blockage is the buildup of blood, much like a clot, along the walls of the arteries. This ailment is known as thrombosis and affects not only the arteries but also the brain, which causes a stroke. Omega 3 fatty acids have proven to break down this build up of clot much before any serious damage is caused.
Studies
A study was conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health wherein about half the women who enrolled were asked to eat Omega-3 rich fish about three to four times a week and the others were not. Those that did eat were reported to have reduced their risk of heart diseases by about 30%. Omega-3 fatty acids are most plentiful in darker, fatty fish such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon.
Other Benefits
- Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis, and so on
- Pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with fish oil. For adults, omega-3 improves memory, recall, reasoning, and focus.
- Just to show how fish oil fatty acids leave nobody out, studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life, thanks to omega 3 oils.