Should You Eat Fish Or Take Fish Oil Capsules?

Even people that do not normally take supplements can benefit from fish oil capsules. This is because, in contrast to some other supplements, omega-3 fatty acids have concrete, documented health benefits. The case for these capsules is also different from other dietary supplements because, for certain individuals, taking them may be even preferable to actually adding more fish to the diet. We will see why this is so shortly.

Omega-3 fatty acids are probably the closest thing to a miracle pill on the market today. This is not to say that they are a panacea. Research has shown that offer a wide range of health benefits, perhaps more than any other supplement.

Particularly those with high DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) levels, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help manage cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This means that people taking fish oil pills on a daily basis may have a significantly reduced risk of having cardiovascular disease, including a lower risk of stroke and high blood pressure.

The fatty acid DHA is only derived from oily fish, seafood, or certain sea weeds. Plant sources of omega-3 do not directly provide this fatty acid.

Researchers have also shown that taking fish oil supplements could help with auto-immune disorders like arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help with prevention or slowing down of bipolar, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and depression and other types of mental health disorders.

It is also not a coincidence that fish is commonly regarded as brain food. Several studies have shown that fish oil capsules can possibly help concentration as well as enhance cognitive function. This may not be surprising, considering that the the brain is made up of a sizable portion of DHA.

Omega-3 is often a component of athletes' diets being a supplement that can aid athletes enhance muscle mass and strength. It offers good fats that do not put them in jeopardy of gaining the wrong type of weight. More importantly, none of this is guess work. All of the above benefits linked to this oil are the result of scientific research.

Oily fish, including salmon, blue grenadier and sardines, can supply with your everyday dose of omega-3 oils. Various challenges exist that make this not practical, including the fact that you would have to ingest quite a great deal of fish in your diet. This commonly can make it a pricey and also impractical alternative.

Yet another problem with consuming fish is the fact that there are many cases of heavy metal contamination as well as toxins including dioxins and PCBs present in fish. If you choose your fish oil capsule brand carefully, you may avoid these toxins while obtaining the same health benefits as consuming omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.

Many healthcare professionals recommend taking 1 to 3 grams of omega-3 a day. This is typically available in two quality fish oil capsules. Needless to say, you can expect the better product line to cost slightly more. Going cheap usually also means taking several pills, which will add up to very much the same cost and you will be taking lower quality product that may not be properly prepared.