What is Omega 3 in fish oil?
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish and vegetable sources, such as canola. Our body contains various fatty acids, which is the basic explanation of why we should consume them as nutritional supplements. In fact, supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Many people suffer from this terrible heart disease, so what is better than prevention. Especially it is important to know if we could have prevention by natural means. 
More about fish oils
Fish oil supplements seem to be fulfilling their therapeutic promise we have heard. The fact is fish oils are rich in polyunsaturated fats known as omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory and blood pressure-lowering actions as more valuable health benefits. They interfere with platelet aggregation and therefore have an important anticoagulant effect as well. Clinical studies with fish oil supplements have shown important clinical benefits for both health and disease. A study of men following myocardial infarction revealed a lower mortality for patients who were taking fish oil supplements. Fish oils are the only supplements known to possess anti-arrhythmic actions. Fish oil has also worth to prevent sudden death in coronary patients. Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids derive in abundance by consuming fatty fish. You could find it in fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and herring. However, because of concerns about mercury contamination, children and pregnant women should restrict their consumption. They should restrict it to no more than one portion weekly. Fish oil supplements are a practical alternative for individuals unable to consume fish in adequate amounts they need. They typically contain 1 to 3 grams of fish oil and do not have mercury.
Plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids are also available for nutrition.
Fish oil and diseases
Hyperlipidemia is excess levels of fats in the blood. It is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Many lipid-lowering agents exist for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease as consequence of hyperlipidemia. A combined analysis showed that treatment with omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flaxseed oils reduced overall risk of death by 23 per cent as compared to placebo. Treatment with statin drugs only reduced overall mortality by 13 per cent as compared to placebo. Interesting is that deaths from cardiovascular causes were 32 per cent lower in the omega-3 fatty acid groups than in control groups. Statin drugs reduced cardiovascular mortality by 22 per cent. When we consider death from non-cardiovascular causes, none of the interventions was significantly link to reduced mortality. Regarding 3-fatty acids, they speculate that the reduction in mortality risk does not occur through a reduction in cholesterol. It is happening rathert by other means, possibly antiarrhythmic, antithrombotic or anti-inflammatory effects. Consuming fish is helping to protect organism against heart disease, possibly through reducing inflammation in blood vessels. However, study results on the effects of fish on inflammatory markers are mixed. Compared to those who did not eat fish, those who ate the most had an average 33 per cent lower level of C-reactive protein. This is a widely used marker for inflammation. They also had a 33 per cent lower level of interleukin-6. This is another inflammatory marker found in the plasma. This group had 21 per cent lower tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which affects lipid metabolism, coagulation, and insulin resistance. They also had and 28 per cent lower serum amyloid A, a blood protein increased by inflammation. Significantly, lower levels of these markers, was present in people who ate about 5 to 10 ounces of fish per week. This clear and strong inverse association between fish consumption and inflammatory markers may help explain why people who eat fish tend to have lower rates of heart disease.
Fish oil that is vital for health
Researches clearly shown that omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA are essential elements in human nutrition. The primary source of DHA and EPA is fatty fish and oils from the tissues of such fish, which is why we found fish oil as such a valuable supplement. DHA is a vital component of the phospholipids in cell membranes throughout the body. However, it is particularly abundant in the brain, retina, and sperm. Fish oils either from whole fish or in the form of supplements preventing or ameliorating coronary heart disease, stroke, lupus, and nephropathy. It is also valuable to prevent Crohn's disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oils are particularly effective in preventing arrhythmias and sudden death from cardiac arrest as well. Several studies have shown that people who eat fish once or more each week can reduce their risk of sudden cardiac death by 50-70%. Moreover, EPA and DHA contained in fish oils inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. Fish oil supplementation also significantly lowers overall triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It is worth without affecting the level of HDL or good cholesterol.
Recent research has shown that the consumption of high fat meals can initiate the development of atherosclerotic deposits in some people. We could substantially reduce this effect, by taking fish oil prior to eating such meals. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to fetal development. Deficiency of DHA during gestation can lead to visual impairment and perhaps, lower intelligence quotients. In summary, omega-3 fatty acids and in particular, DHA and EPA from fish oils are essential for human healthy development and in the prevention and amelioration of many common disorders.
Health benefits of fish oil
It is also interesting that some studies have shown that Greenland Eskimos, who have a very high intake of fish oils, have a very low incidence of heart attacks, asthma, diabetes, psoriasis, and allergies. A Dutch study found that middle-aged men who ate as little as 30 grams of fish per day reduced heart disease mortality by 50 per cent. A study at the Harvard Medical School concluded that men who eat fish have a 26 per cent lower risk of death from coronary artery disease than men who do not eat fish at all. Other studies have shown that an adequate DHA supply is essential for normal eye and brain development in infants and children and for health in general. We could find fish oils in high concentrations in herrings, sardines and anchovies, in medium concentrations in salmon, and in somewhat lower concentrations in sole, halibut, cod and shellfish. Fish oils have demonstrable benefits in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease as the most important effect. Beside this, fish oils reduce blood pressure and triglycerides, modify platelet aggregation, and minimize inflammatory responses. There is anecdotal evidence that fish oils may be beneficial in migraine headaches, asthma, and psoriasis treatment. Cell membranes rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA are more susceptible to peroxidation by free radical reactions. This may severely affect their structure and function unless we take precautions, to ensure that we neutralized the free radicals by lipid-soluble antioxidants.
Research has shown that people taking fish oil supplements need to increase their intake of vitamin E as well.
Role of fish oil in health and disease
Many doctors’ points out those omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for human health. However, problem is that their intake has gradually declined over the years. They believe that man evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs of about 1:1. Today, this ratio is more like 10:1, and in some societies, it is approaching even 25:1. A relative over-abundance of omega-6 PUFAs implicates in excessive blood clotting, allergic and inflammatory disorders, and certain cancers. An adequate intake of omega-3 PUFAs, on the other hand, improves cardiovascular health. A recent study concluded that a daily intake of 500 to 1000 mg of long chain omega-3 PUFAs reduces the risk of cardiovascular death in middle-aged American men. Other studies have shown that although fish oils help prevent undesirable blood clotting reactions they do not increase bleeding time. That is why it is quite safe even for people scheduled for major surgery. Animal studies have found that fish oil supplementation markedly reduces the risk of dangerous and fatal arrhythmias. Fish oils has also benefits in preventing or treating hypertension, arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, cancer, and certain diabetes- related complications. EPA and DHA are both essential for pregnant mothers and infants. Doctors evaluated it is estimated that the optimal daily intake of EPA and DHA in total is about 300 to 400 mg/day. The current average intake in the United States is only 50 mg EPA and 80 mg DHA per person per day. As we could see, it is indicating a massive deficiency in the American diet.
