What is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is a common dietary supplement that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids; these acids cannot be produced inside our body but they are quite important for our bodily functions. We should have a diet consistent in omega 3 fatty acids to maintain and improve our health.

A research conducted at Harvard University concluded that the deficiency of omega-3 fatty acid claims the lives of more than 96,000 Americans each year. Many of these deaths can be prevented if people increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids in their diets. This is where Fish oil comes in. Fish oil is a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish oil has numerous benefits for our body. Here are some of these benefits.

Fish Oil Suppresses Appetite

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help control your appetite, and therefore are good for people who want to lose or maintain weight.  A research published in November 2008 in the journal “Appetite” showed that people having diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids had lost more weight and curbed their appetite more than people who consumed omega-3 fatty acids in low quantities.

This research was conducted over an 8-week period. At the end of the 8-weeks, blood samples were taken from both groups in the study. Results of the tests showed that people having high omega-3 fatty acid diet had lower levels of appetite promoting hormones in their bloodstream. Moreover, a higher level of diet suppressing hormones was also revealed in the tests; hence proving that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil play a positive role in suppressing diet and weight loss.

How Fish Oil Helps You Lose Fat & Build Muscle

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that your body cannot produce on its own therefore they must be consumed. Fish oil is great because it does not turn directly into fat inside your body. The omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil are used to make outside lipids the outside layer that protects the cells. While many other fats can be used to make lipids as well, Fish oil is unique because it improves insulin sensitivity which aids in weight loss. People who have poor insulin sensitivity have a hard time losing weight.

Fish oil also helps in building muscles. They not only up-regulate the anabolic pathways; they downregulate the catabolic pathways simultaneously. The human body is constantly creating and destroying tissues. The same goes for our muscles. Both anabolism (building muscles) and catabolism (destroying muscles) are happening in parallel. For building muscles, anabolism needs to be greater than catabolism.  Fish oil helps build muscles by tipping the scale in favor of anabolism. Fish oil not only boosts anabolism, but it also suppresses catabolism too thus helping you in building your muscles.

Brain Benefits

Fish oil has incredible benefits for our brains. It helps with both depression and mild memory loss. EPA and DHA are two critical omega-3 fatty Acids that are critical for the development of the brain in all stages of life. Adults having low levels of DHA in their brains have been found to have higher brain aging and lower brain sizes.

It has also been found that women who have rich omega-3 fatty acids in their diets during pregnancy give birth to children who score higher on tests evaluating brain intelligence during their early childhood. This, among other reasons, is why doctors often recommend pregnant women to increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids during their pregnancy.

Fish oil can also help curb mild memory loss in people suffering from mild cognitive diseases. However, fish oil does not affect patients suffering from more serious brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Nevertheless, people suffering from mild brain diseases can have significant benefits by regularly including fish oil in their diet.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty Acids. These fatty acids can do wonders for your cardiovascular health. They help decrease triglycerides, reduce clotting in blood, lower the blood pressure, reduce irregular heartbeat and consequently reduce the risk of heart failure. Omega-3s also reduce inflammation throughout your body. Inflammation In the body can damage the blood vessels and cause a stroke.

In conclusion, fish oil is simply great. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help in maintaining and losing weight, building body muscles, improving brain activity, curbing memory loss, and having a healthy heart.

Talk to your doctor about food and your diet, and add fish oil in your daily diet today.