In 1923, American scientists discovered that rats deprived of polyunsaturated fatty acids quickly became ill; thus, the idea of the body needing essential fatty acids was born.
Research into the human health benefits of omega-3 began in the 1970s. It was found that the Inuit people in Greenland, who lived on a diet high in omega-3-rich oily fish, suffered little from coronary heart disease. Since then, further research has linked omega-3 with numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, easing menstrual pain, reducing blood pressure and improving rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors in the UK now recommend omega-3 fish oils to heart attack patients to help prevent a second attack. However, the strongest evidence for heart benefits comes from studies where the participants ate real fish rather than taking a fish oil supplement. It is suggested that eating oily fish once or twice a week is good for your heart. But omega-3 is not only good for the heart; studies using fatty acids taken from patients’ blood showed that raised levels of omega-3 acids in tissue matched a reduction in mental illnesses such as depression and Alzheimer's. These observations were later confirmed by clinical studies.
The brain is made up of 60 percent fat and needs omega-3 to work properly. Learning, reading and writing can all be improved through an increase of omega-3. It also affects the speed and efficiency at which the eye works. Pupils at Durham County Council's comprehensive schools in the UK were offered omega-3 fish oil supplements to see whether their performance improved. By the end of the study, 40 percent of the children were reported to have shown dramatic improvements. Omega-3 helps the brain by making it easier for signals to move between brain cells. Scientists believe this improves the memory and concentration.
In terms of ageing and deteriorating health conditions, the main cause is almost always inflammation. What makes inflammation a problem is that it creeps up on the body over time, causing various health conditions ranging from arthritis and chronic joint pain to more serious issues such as strokes, heart attacks and brain disorders. Most scientists and health professionals believe it is the anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil that help prevent and may help cure inflammation.
Your body cannot manufacture omega-3 fats on its own, so to function properly your body needs you to eat foods that contain omega-3. The fish do not manufacture the omega-3 acids but get it from the plankton, which they feed on. The colder the water the fish live in, the more omega-3 the plankton contains. Cold-water fish include salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna. The best omega-3 source is oily fish such as mackerel, herring, salmon, sardines and trout, but it can also be obtained from dark green leafy vegetables and flaxseed oils (flaxseed oil supplements are suitable for vegetarians). If you don't eat oily fish, a supplement can provide a reliable source of omega-3. Eating more fish and less meat is a good lifestyle choice.
Adults should have two portions of oily fish a week. Girls and women who want to have babies in the future should have not more than two portions of fish a week (a salmon steak is equivalent to one portion) due to the mercury content in some fish. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should consult their doctor about taking a good quality omega-3 supplement.
The sad fact is that oily fish is no longer popular with children, and if you feel your child is not getting enough omega-3 you may decide to give him or her a supplement. For good quality omega-3, buy online at ardenhealth.com or ask at your local pharmacy.
Caution!
Omega-3 may inhibit blood clotting, so you should not be taking fish oil supplements if you have a blood disorder or before having surgery. People with any medical disorder, such as diabetes, should consult their doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
I have just stopped taking tetracycline for my acne on advice from my doctor, but can you recommend vitamins to keep my skin healthy?
Firstly, make sure you eat a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and water. There have been some good results from vitamins, but it will take about one month to see the results. Vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium promote a healthy immune system, which will help keep in check the acne-causing bacteria. Zinc also has had good result in reducing inflammation and promotes healthy hormones. You can find all the vitamins you need in Permea Plus for hair, skin and nails. I also recommend using a gentle skin exfoliator every other day at night to stop your pores from becoming blocked and prevent spot forming.
