Fish Oil Supplements
  

Although fish oil supplements have been available for purchase on the market for several years, recently they are becoming more and more popular, primarily as a result of the medical community's, including family physicians and doctors, willingness to recommend fish oil pills to their patients. In fact, many medical professionals openly tout the fish oil benefits associated with consumption of fish oil while, at the same time, minimizing and even dismissing the known fish oil side effects. This is very interesting because doctors are usually do not actively recommend nutritional and dietary supplements that are not governed by the Food and Drug Administration (also known as the "FDA") (i.e., the FDA only regulates those substances categorized as "drugs" and fish oil products are "supplements," not drugs).

Fish Oil Nutrition

The health benefits of fish oil tablets are related directly to the fish oil nutrition contained therein. Specifically, fish oil contains two Omega 3 fatty acids known as DHA (also referred to as docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (also referred to as "eicosapentaenoic acid"). These fatty acids are sometimes also referred to as "essential fatty acids" due, in large part, to the fact that they are essential to basic human growth and development. However, because they cannot be manufactured by the human body, Omega 3's must be consumed in the diet. 

It is well accepted that various species of fish are the best natural source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Interestingly, fish are unable to naturally produce the fatty acids themselves and must also obtain them in their diets. This is accomplished in one of two ways: by eating microalgae that are able to manufacture the Omega 3s, or by eating the fish that eat the microalgae. 

With that said, it is important for the consumer to realize that omega 3 fatty acids levels vary depending on the specific fish species. There are certain fish such as halibut, salmon, tilefish, swordfish, and shark that are characterized as a "high level omega 3 fish." Generally speaking, you will get more than a half a gram of omega 3 fatty acids for every three ounces of fish consumed. Alternatively, others are "low level omega 3 fish," including grouper, king mackerel, red snapper, mahi mahi, pollock, flounder, catfish, cod, and tuna. These species of fish contain no more than one gram per three ounces of fish. 

Of course, the omega 3 content is not the only factor one should consider when you buy fish oil supplements. It is also important to determine whether the fish oil from which the fish oil products are made are from predatory species of fish. These types of fish include albacore tuna, tilefish, shark, and sword fish. While these may be high level omega 3 fish, they are also often times contaminated with various toxins due to biomagnification. In a nutshell, this is the biological process where top of the food chain fish repeatedly consume other fish that have accumulated toxins in their tissues. Thereafter, predatory fish species, having consumed numerous other species of fish over its lifetime, have built up many chemicals in their tissues, including heavy metals (such as mercury, lead and nickel), PCB's, chlordane and dioxin. As a result, the FDA recommends that predatory fish be consumed in limited amounts. 

Fish Oil Benefits 

Fish oil benefits have been generally known since the 1930s when scientists thought fish oil could be beneficial to human growth and development. However, exploration of this substance really gained traction in the 1970s when researchers found the Greenland Inuit Tribe. This Eskimo tribe ate very large quantities of fat from the seafood in their diets and, despite this fact, experienced strikingly small levels of cardiovascular disease within its population. Further research led to the hypothesis that consumption of fish oil in high doses led to a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate and triglycerides and, as result, improved overall health.

Many family doctors state that they have become more willing to recommend fish oil products as a result of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s “qualified health claim." Plainly stated, that regulatory agency reported that “supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA [n-3] fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.” Other governments from around the world, such as the United States' northern neighbor (i.e., the Canadian government), have accepted that certain fatty acids do even more for the human body: “DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, supports the normal development of the brain, eyes and nerves.” 

According to a service of the United States National Library of Medicine known as MedlinePlus, there are many health benefits of fish oil supplements, many of which surround improvements to human circulatory and cardiovascular systems. A discussion of the health benefits of fish oil supplements is warranted. 

First, rheumatoid arthritis, including the painful symptoms associated with that disease (such as inflammation and joint pain), can be decreased by regular consumption of fish oil products. This is significant in that inflammation is a leading cause of many other health issues, especially cardiovascular disease. 

Second, omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil supplements have been shown to improve the heart's overall condition. This is accomplished by lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, the three main contributors of cardiovascular disease. Research has confirmed the obvious -- if you can lower these risk factors, you can also lower the risk of heart related issues. 

Third, fish oil pills have similarly been shown to reduce heart attack and stroke risks. This is true because fish oil products act as blood thinners (i.e., the reduce the blood's ability to clot). As such, fish oil reduces the likelihood that plaque will build up on the walls of arteries and, correspondingly, break away and form blood clots when they are too large to remain clinging to the artery walls. Obviously, then, if you can prevent blood clots from occurring, you can also prevent the clots from causing further problems. 

Fourth, brain function has been shown to increase when regularly consuming fish oil capsules. Because of this fact, the mainstream media have started calling fish and fish oil products "brain food." Science has shown us that essential fatty acids improve focus and reasoning, as a well as memory and recall. 

Fifth, fish oil softgels have been linked to additional mental health improvements. Specifically, omega 3 fatty acids reduce mental health conditions like depression, dementia, and certain forms of psychosis. Fish oil has also been shown to lessen the likelihood of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. 

Sixth, the many forms of fish oil concentrate is thought to increase male and female fertility. While this fish oil benefits is dependent on the fish oil dosage utilized, fertility is improved because of the resultant increase in blood received by important reproductive organs and the corresponding improved balance in hormones. 

Seventh, consuming more fish and fish oil supplements has been linked to improving pregnancy health. For example, reductions in pregnancy preeclampsia, premature births and episodes of postpartum depression have been experienced by women consuming omega 3s. These essential fatty acids have also been shown to improve the efficiency of the exchange of oxygen and vital nutrients between the mother and her child. 

Eighth, there are many different disorders that are experienced by children that can be lessened by taking fish oil supplements. While this list is not exhaustive, the health benefits of fish oil for children include improvement in symptoms of ADD and ADHD, and a reduction in the likelihood of dyslexia. 

Ninth, fish oil pills have been shown to minimize the possibility of osteoporosis. This is particularly true for those women who have already gone through menopause. 

Tenth, fish oil products are thought to prevent many different types of cancer. Obviously, however, this is a huge health claim and much more research is needed before any findings regarding this claim can be made conclusively. 

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The statements and information upon this website have not necessarily been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. The products featured are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consumers should always consult their own medical practitioner(s) with any medical or health concerns before starting any new diet, product or supplement.