7 Fish Oil Benefits Easily Explained

A few years ago, I was suffering from all sorts of ailments, including severe allergies, bronchial spasms, soft tissue rheumatism and bad moods. After years of researching, I discovered several supplements that I now consider essential to take on a daily basis, the most important of which is concentrated fish oil.

Concentrated fish oil is mainly composed of omega 3 fatty acids, the most important of which are DHA and EPA, also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids. Hundreds of years ago, EPA and DHA were plentiful in the human diet, mainly coming from fish and grass-fed, natural meats.

Eventually, I found out that many of today's so-called diseases and chronic conditions are actually related to a deficiency in omega 3 fatty acids on account of the inadequacy of the modern diet. Here are seven very important fish oil benefits, briefly explained.

1. Inflammation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, and in particular EPA, are very effective inhibitors of inflammatory chemicals such as C-reactive protein. Inflammation can lead to many health problems, including heart disease and autoimmune diseases. Concentrated fish oil decreases inflammation, protects the body and alleviates arthritis, aches and pains.

2. Cardiovascular health. EPA and DHA decrease LDL, triglyceride and homocysteine levels, while at the same time increasing HDL, the good cholesterol. High triglycerides and excessive LDL relative to HDL are definite predictors of heart disease. Concentrated fish oil actually cleans your blood vessels and helps keep them free of obstruction.

3. Alleviates depression. Many scientific studies have linked depression of all types to a dietary deficiency in DHA. Regular daily intake of significant amounts of concentrated fish oil can eliminate depression and other psychological problems, such as anxiety or brain-fog.

4. Superior brain function and mental processing. Since the brain is essentially built with DHA, an omega 3 fat, high consumption of DHA has been proven to improve memory, concentration and ability to complete complex tasks. This is particularly important in young children and adolescents, whose brains are in the growth stage and in pregnant and nursing mothers and the babies that depend on them for nourishment.

5. Reduced cancer risk. Plenty of serious research undertaken in some of the world's top research facilities has proven that a high intake of omega 3 fatty acids can prevent and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This is especially true of hormonal cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer. These types of cancer are actually fed by hormones and the hormones are effectively blocked by EPA and DHA. Specifically, in the case of breast cancer, concentrated fish oil capsules have been shown to decrease the amount of estradiol in the blood. Estradiol is the hormone that feeds breast cancer cells and so a reduction in estradiol can actually help prevent and treat breast cancer. A similar mechanism applies to prostate cancer.

6. Reduced incidence of ADHD and similar disorders in children. Researchers have found that the higher the incidence of DHA in the blood of children and teenagers, the lower the incidence of behavioral disorders, inability to concentrate and low IQ scores. DHA is one of the most important nutrients in the brain and nobody should be without it.

7. Autoimmune disorders. These disorders have a broad range, including allergies, lupus, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. These, in turn, are often linked to inflammation. High consumption of EPA and DHA have been very effective in treating autoimmune disorders of all types, by blocking the metabolic processes that create them.

I've been to the taking concentrated fish oil capsules and many other supplements every day for the last few years and I now consider the fish oil to be the most important supplement that I take. I can honestly say that it has helped my overall health tremendously. I believe that it's one of the best investments that one can make in one's health and in the health of one's family.