Health Benefits of Fish Oils and Oily Fish

If someone mentions fish oil supplements or an oily fish diet we automatically link it to omega-3 fatty acids. Of course you should not forget the flaxseed and flaxseed oil, the vegetarian source of omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA).

Why do we need to take in omega-3 fatty acids? Our body needs fat, particularly essential fatty acids, for it to function properly. But, it cannot be produced by our body that is why we need to either consume it moderately through food rich on essential fatty acids such as omega-3 rich foods or take it as omega-3 oil supplements.

As we all knew, omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids lowers the total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides levels while increasing the high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol level, making omega 3 fatty acids good for the heart and coronary arteries.

Thromboxane is a prostaglandin that causes the platelet to become sticky. When damage has occurred, they tend to aggregate on the damaged site. If the person has high bad cholesterol and, or triglycerides level they tend to collect as well on the site where platelets aggregates resulting to hardening of the artery and high blood pressure thus, leading to coronary artery disease (CAD) or a heart disease. Eicosapentaenoic acid from fish oils is used by the immune system to produce a prostaglandin called prostacyclin. Prostacyclin inhibits platelet clotting action; it also lowers the blood pressure level. Because of its amazing benefits, fish oil and oily fishes were considered good for the entire heart-artery system.

Did you know that omega-3 EFA is also good for those who are suffering from inflammations of the joints and other tissues? Along with other essential nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids boost your immune system against infectious invaders. Omega-3 fatty acids reduces the production of arachidonic acid which is the often culprit in causing inflammations of the joints and other tissues.

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