One of the main benefits of fish oil supplements is omega-3 fatty acid. According to studies, this particular acid reduces a number of health risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure and even cancer. Some experts say that even other organs and tissues also reap the benefits of fish oil based supplements.
Fish based oil also helps in the development of brain tissues during the fetal stages. During this stage of development, fish oil can also contribute to the health of retina and also reduce muscular degeneration. Fish based oil also prevents serious pregnancy complications such as premature labor and low birth weight and regular intake of fish oil supplements during pregnancy could help prevent port partum depression.
For adults, omega-3 improves memory, focus and reasoning. You could say that one of the benefits of fish oil supplements is it helps keep your mind young and healthy. On the other hand, children suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will also benefit by having their psychiatric disorder reduced thanks to fish based oil.
A number of benefits of fish based oil supplements can be seen by studying Greenland Eskimos, a community known to have a diet consisting mainly of fish. There have never been any significant depression rates reported from Greenland Eskimos. The Japanese are also fond of fish, and they have a very low depression rate, especially when compared to their Western counterparts.
Besides lowering the risk of depression, fish oil based supplements also help prevent other psychological illnesses. According to University of Sheffield's Psychiatry Department, omega-3 may help alleviate bipolar disorder and even psychosis.
Perhaps the biggest reason why fish based oil supplements have become popular in the Western world is because it is said to reduce heart diseases and heart-related illnesses. Studies have shown a large number of Americans have heart illnesses. The biggest benefits of fish based oil supplements are its ability to reduce triglyceride levels in the body.
Triglyceride is a type of fat commonly attributed to heart disease. Fish based oil reduces triglyceride which helps in the prevention of heart attacks, irregular heart beat and stroke. Taking fish oil based supplements regularly also lowers blood pressure.
Aside from the omega-3 fatty acid, there are two more types of acid found in fish based oil supplements that provides benefits to the body's health. These acids are: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA is believed to posses anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory agents found in fish oil supplements may reduce painful conditions such as arthritis.
Some studies also suggest that omega-3 can help in the prevention of cancer, particularly breast, colon and prostate cancer. The omega-3 fatty acids stop healthy cells from mutating into cancer cells while causing cancer cells to die.
Of course a lot of people remain skeptic of the benefits of fish oil supplements and chalk it up as another type of alternative medicine. While some studies are still being conducted to either prove or disprove some claims of fish oil's health boosting properties, many scientific studies have already concluded that a diet rich in fish is good for the body.
