Fish Oil
About Fish Oil
There are several nutrients that are essential for proper functioning and health, but your body cannot make them on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of them. You have to either include food items containing Omega-3 in your diet or if you find it difficult to do that, should take fish oil supplements.
Fish oil tablets top the list of the most consumed food supplement in the world. They have risen in usage in the last few decades. This was because numerous studies were able to prove that omega-3 fatty acid in cod liver oil is an effective weapon in the fight against heart diseases. It contains two of the three vital elements that the human body requires to maintain health and beauty. Apart from cardiac health, omega 3 plays an undisputed role in the functioning of eyes, brain, and reproductive health. Knowing more about these supplements will help you when you are shopping for these supplements. This article will tell you about the benefits of fish oil supplements and whether or not you need them.
A guide to Omega-3 fish oil supplements
According to the American Heart Association, everyone should include Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. Obviously, the best way of consuming them is to eat more seafood and seeds. But not everybody can do that. While some people are allergic to fish, some cannot stand its taste. The good news is that there is a really easy way to have adequate amounts of omega-3 nutrients in your diet. Even without including seafood in your diet. Fish oil supplements can replenish your body with this important nutrient without any fuss. Also, there are no major side effects associated with its usage.
Benefits of fish oil supplements
Omega-3 fish oil supplements are one of the most effective food supplements out there. People have been using them for many decades with positive results. The main use of omega-3 fish oil is to prevent heart diseases. It contains docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Both of which are essential nutrients for cardiac health. Fish oil will help in lowering blood pressure, slowing down the formation of plaque in the blood vessels, maintaining proper heart rhythm, and reducing the potential for stroke. In people with heart diseases, it is also effective in preventing sudden cardiac deaths.
Other sources of omega-3
If you are somebody who prefers eating healthy instead of taking dietary supplements, then there is good news. There is plenty of food out there that is abundant in omega-3 fatty acids. Most of them are seafood. So, if seafood is a daily part of your diet, and you don’t have any heart conditions, you need not take fish oil tablets. Fishes like mackerel, salmon, cod liver, herring, and oysters are a great option to include in your daily diet. Apart from omega 3, these also have a lot of vitamins and minerals as well. Seeds like chia and flax are also good sources of omega-3.
When should you take fish oil supplements?
Healthy individuals who include enough variety of seafood in your diet, taking fish oil supplements won’t do any additional benefit to you. But if you have a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids in your body, which happens if you don’t eat a lot of fish, taking these supplements can decrease the risk of heart attacks by 19%. That’s a substantial decrease. A study showed that about 25% of adults in the United States either have a history of heart disease or have high triglycerides content in their blood. Fish oil supplements can help such people lower the risk of heart problems.
Side effects of fish oil supplements
In healthy adults, these supplements do not cause any major side effects. But there are a few minor things that can happen. Taking fish oil tablets may leave a fishy taste in the mouth and make your breath smell fishy. In a few people, it can cause stomach upsets. This can include loose stools and nausea. If you have a deficiency of white blood cells, taking more than 3 grams of fish oil can further thin the blood and increase the chances of bleeding. So, if you have a need to take more than 3 grams of fish oil a day, you should consult your doctor regarding it. Doctors usually prescribe Omega-3 supplements for patients with high levels of triglyceride in their blood.
Tips on how to buy Fish Oil Supplements
There are so many brands in the market offering fish oil supplements. All of them vary from each other in the number of fatty acids per serving and also the quality. It is important to choose the right supplement. Even though it is a bit tricky to figure out the right kind of supplements, it is still possible if you know what factors to look for in them. Following these tips will help you make the right decision when you are shopping for supplements.
- Look for a good quality brand – Because food supplements are not as well-regulated as other prescription medicines, it is important to choose a supplement brand that has a good reputation. In low-quality products, the amount of fish oil per serving will be less, and other additives will be more.
- Find your correct dosage – Knowing how much fish oil supplement you need on a daily basis can help you buy the right one. But it is hard to decide on your own. So, consult a doctor. Based on your health record and eating habits, he will suggest if you need the supplement or not, and how much.
- Read the supplement label – The amount of EPA and DHA in the supplement will be mentioned on the label. If you have a specific dosage requirement for either of these fatty acids, you will need to know how much supplement you will need to take to reach your goal.
- Look for the type of fish oil – Apart from cod liver oil, there are similar supplements that imitate them but are not the same. Shark liver oil is the most common among these imitations. Unless you have a very specific need, you might need to stay away from taking shark liver oil.
Regardless of if you take the supplements or not, including enough variety of seafood in your diet is a healthy habit. Not only will it help you maintain the required omega-3 level in your body, but it will also provide you with other essential nutrients and vitamins. Finally, though some people claim that taking omega-3 can improve ADHD and arthritis, there isn’t enough evidence to support this claim. Finally, don’t forget to check out all the other amazing products from the health & beauty category.
Question & Answer
Are fish oil supplements effective?
Many scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of fish oil supplements in lowering the risk of heart disease. One of the notable studies about it was done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is considered a very authoritative survey done on the subject. It was able to prove that taking omega-3 supplements can greatly improve the risks related to preexisting heart diseases. There are also some niche studies suggesting the benefits of fish oil for skin health. But if you can afford it, eating a healthier diet is always better than taking supplements.
What are omega-3 fatty acids, and what are their benefits?
Omega 3 is a naturally occurring fatty acid in plants and marine animals. In fact, omega 3 is a group of acids. Two of these acids are found in plenty in fish oil. Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid, respectively called EPA and DHA, in fish oil has several health benefits, when consumed. EPA can break down prostaglandin, thromboxane, and leukotriene, which are the main culprits in causing an arterial blockage. DHA is important for the proper functioning of the eyes, the cerebral cortex of the brain, and sperm formation in humans.
How much fish oil supplement can you take a day?
There is no set limit on how much you can take. A better question is how much you need. If you are a normal healthy individual, it is approx 1600 mg for men and 1100 mg for women. This is based on the RDI of omega-3 fatty acids. So, if you have enough seafood in your daily diet, you don’t need extra omega-3 at all. But pregnant women need a little more omega 3 than that. Because of the eating difficulty during pregnancy, many women do not meet the required level of fatty acids in their diet. So, it is better for them to start taking fish oil supplements after consulting the doctor.
If you are looking to buy fish oil supplements online in Dubai, look no further. You will find all types and brands of food supplements to buy in Shops.ae. With a little effort, you will be able to find some good quality fish oil tablets for cheap using the product search engine . You can also compare the products against each other to find the best one among them. There are more than 500 shops and brands allied with us. Some of the notable brands like Nature Made, Nature’s Bounty, Swanson, Vitalvit, and Seven Seas.