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Fish
Oil benefits
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IMPROVES
COMPLEXION
Omega 3 fats
are needed to produce regulatory chemicals in the
skin. These chemicals support the generation of new
skin, regulate oil production and increase blood flow
to the skins surface.
IMPROVES MOOD
Anti-depressant
drugs make people feel better because they raise serotonin.
Studies show that fish oil can raise mood pleasuring
chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Fish oil potentates
the action of dopamine by causing an increase in a
specific subset of dopamine receptors. High doses
of fish oil are used to treat mood disorders like
schizophrenia and depression. The higher your DHA
levels in your blood, the higher the serotonin in
your brain.
IMPROVES MEMORY
Studies have shown fish
oil can raise acetylcholine, our “memory molecule.”
IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION
DHA, a component within
fish oil is concentrated where it needs it the most;
the brain’s cerebral cortex, which is also known
as our “thinking center.” This is the
area of our brain that separates us from animals.
Chimpanzees have trouble paying attention and have
a sloped back forehead because their frontal cortex
is less developed than in humans.
IMPROVES SLEEP
Fish oil will increase
the production of melatonin, a hormone involved with
obtaining a deep sleep. Some people report experiencing
more vivid dreams at night when they begin taking
fish oil. Dreaming is beneficial since it helps filter
out our daily issues.
INCREASES BONE STRENGTH
The bone buildup (osteoblast)
and bone breakdown (osteoclast) activity is regulated
by EPA.
HELPS PREVENT OR CONTROL
DIABETES
Fish oil, especially
when coupled with a balanced diet has been shown to
increase the action of insulin and improve the complications
associated with diabetes. Fish oil increases the fluidity
of the cell membrane and allows the hormone/receptor
complex to function efficiently.
RAISES HDL OR “GOOD
CHOLESTEROL”
HDL’s are beneficial
because they carry cholesterol away from body cells,
and then to the liver for recycling or disposal. Fish
oil has been shown to naturally raise levels of HDL.
HELPS PREVENT OR CONTROL
HEART DISEASE
The EPA in fish oil
will help relax the cells that line your blood vessels.
This will decrease the inflammation that initially
causes heart disease. Fish oil will literally loosen
up your inner pipelines. Fish consumption has also
been related to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
DECREASES INFLAMMATION/JOINT
PAIN
Since the 1800’s,
fish oil has been used to treat arthritis. EPA, a
chemical within fish oil, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory
agent by relieving pressure within the joints. It
accomplishes this by blocking your body’s production
of a harmful chemical called arachidonic acid. It
is the overproduction of arachidonic acid that causes
the initial inflammation.
HELPS BURN FAT (TRIGLYCERIDES)
The liver produces bundles
of fat called triglycerides, then ships them to parts
of the body. Triglycerides are the fats floating in
your bloodstream. Since fish oil lowers triglycerides,
this proves fish oil helps you burn fat more efficiently
by increasing membrane fluidity. Secondly, fish oil
blunts insulin release by the pancreas by effecting
eicosanoid hormones.
HELPS PREVENT OR CONTROL
ASTHMA
Fish oil will
help relax your bronchial tubes and therefore opens
up the airways leading to the lungs.
INCREASES HORMONE-RECEPTOR
FUNCTION
Many hormonal
substances stimulate the cell by activating a receptor
located in the bi-layer of the cell membrane. Omega
3 fats keep your cell membranes soft and flexible.
If a cell membrane is deficient in fish oil, the chemical
signals will not have the proper effect.
LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
Fish oil prevents and
reduces blood clots and may lower blood pressure,
especially in people with high blood pressure and
heart disease
SHARPEN VISION
Visual problems can
result from the lack of omega-3’s because the
retina needs omega-3 fats to function properly.
Human Awareness
There are many theories
for human evolution. Some think it was genetic (natural
selection) and others think it was from the majic
mushroom. Science magazine reported over one thousand
researchers from the American Association of Physical
Anthropologists met in Buffalo N.Y. for their annual
meeting April, 2002. They suggested our brain developed
because of a shore based diet containing omega 3 oils.
60% of our brain is made of this fat and a large percentage
of this fat is called Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
This fat is essential, meaning it must come from the
diet. However, modern food industrialization and processing
has stripped these essential fats out of America’s
food. 90% of the fish available to us is farm raised,
they contain even more contaminants than ocean fish
and the amounts of EPA & DHA are much lower.
OMEGA-3 AND AUTO-IMMUNE
Omega-3 help calms down the immune system.
When pregnant women take omega-3, the risk of the
child having type I diabetes are much lower.
Omega-3 isn’t a single cure for every disease,
however it is missing often.
KIDS AND OMEGA-3
Powdered infant formulas
that advertise they contain DHA are very questionable
because long chain omega-3 fats like DHA are extremely
unstable. Scientists have tested these products in
the lab and found zero levels present. Visual and
behavioral problems can result from the need for omega-3’s
because the retina and brain need omega-3.
Fish Oil and Disease
The need for
essential fats is usually ignored by the traditional
medical establishment. In September 2002, ALA was
declared “essential” by the government
and only the recommended dosage was only 1.7 grams
per day. In every instance of the major diseases (bone
health, arthritis, cancer, type II diabetes) fish
oil should have been there. There is no question omega-3
helps prevent heart disease. If omega-3 was a drug,
it would be on the cover of times magazine as the
number 1 heart drug.
Heart arrhythmia; Omega-3’s have an anti arrhythmic
effect by calming down the cells of the heart. Fish
oil decreases calcium influx into heart cells and
therefore stabilizes heart rhythms.
Fish oil decreases blood-fat levels by assisting the
body in burning fat (triglycerides). Many people fear
omega-3 fats because it is “fat.” It is
important to note that omega-3 fat are “active,”
burnable fats rather and not “storage”
fats.
Used to be called “vitamin-F,” an old
term that shouldn’t be lost.
Omega-3’s become part of the cell membranes
of your heart, retina, brain, muscle cells, bone cells
and liver.
ADHD very helpful using omega-3. (Not a cure because
there are many other factors to consider like blood
sugar control, vitamin, behavior modification and
mineral intake. However, fish oil supplementation
makes sense and is a large piece to the puzzle)
GRADES OF FISH OIL
There are 3 main types of fish oil:
1. Basic fish oil (may be contaminated with sea pollutants
and does not smell or taste good)
2. Molecular distilled (fine for people with a limited
budget, however the dosage is less, 1500 mgs/day of
EPA + DHA for maintenance).
3. Pharmaceutical grade. This is the best type of
fish oil available
because it is purified to the greatest extent. Recommended
dosage is 2500 mgs of EPA+ DHA per day.
*These dosages are the amounts recommended by
the traditional system of Hormonal Eating. You must
see your doctor for recommended doses and brand names.
Fish Oil Q & A
Is GLA (gamma linolenic acid) the same as
fish oil?
GLA is an omega-6 fat found in borage oil, evening
primrose oil, and small amounts are contained in oatmeal
(1-2 mg). GLA is beneficial in small amounts. Because
of the “spillover effect,” evening primrose
oil is preferred over borage oil because it is less
concentrated with GLA. The spillover effect occurs
when too much of a good thing turns bad. Fish oil
can be accompanied with small amounts of GLA supplementation
and long term fish oil users should begin to take
GLA at some point to support optimal hormonal control.
What are common signs of omega-3 deficiency?
Fatigue, reproductive problems (men and women), immune
system malfunction, poor blood circulation, poor memory,
dry skin, mood swings, hair loss and depression.
Does fish oil help with weight loss?
Yes, fish oil slows insulin production and therefore
helps with fat loss. Fish oil decreases blood-fat
levels by assisting the body to burn fat (triglycerides).
Many people fear omega-3 fats because it is a type
of fat. It is important to note that omega-3 fats
are active fats that will be utilized instead of stored.
Fish oils are readily burned when someone begins a
fat loss diet and the levels of fish oil need to be
constantly replenished.
Is it possible to take too many fish oil capsules?
Not at the recommended doses. Much higher doses are
given to treat conditions like bipolar disorder, diabetes,
heart disease, auto-immune disease and any inflammatory
condition. In some cases, 10,000 mgs per day are used,
this is the equivalent to 16 fish oil capsules per
day.
Does it matter what time of the day I take
the fish oil? Fish oil can be taken all at
once or at different times throughout the day. However
your gall bladder accumulates bile throughout the
night and is in the ready position to digest fats
in the morning.
Can fish oil interfere with medications?
Yes, since fish oil acts like a drug, it can interfere
with other drugs. For example, taking blood thinners
and fish oil at the same time can cause too much of
an effect in the same direction. Make sure to ask
your pharmacist or doctor to see if fish oil will
interfere with your medication. Most other pharmaceutical
drugs will work in concert with fish oil since they
both effect the same biological pathways. Caution
with high doses of aspirin, blood thinners or when
anticipating surgery.
Will one serving of fish per day satisfy my daily
requirement for EPA and DHA? Most of the
fish available to the public is farmed and the amount
of EPA and DHA they contain is questionable, as well
as the overall nutritional quality of the fish. Farmed
fish are raised like cows and fed grains instead of
their natural food source, limiting the production
of EPA and DHA in their own bodies. Farm raised fish
may also acquire more toxins from the tank compared
to line caught fish and the package may fool you by
saying “Atlantic” salmon. Atlantic salmon
refers to the species, not the fish’s origin.
How do I tell the difference between farm
raised salmon and line caught salmon? Wild
salmon are usually pinker than farm raised salmon
because wild salmon get their pinkish color from eating
crustaceans like shrimp. Farm raised salmon are fed
beta carotene and other colorings to make them look
normal, otherwise farmed salmon would be gray.
Does flax seed oil count as fish oil?
No, flaxseed contains ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid) which
is a short chain omega-3 fatty acid. As long chain
fats, EPA and DHA are unique fatty acids. The human
body has the ability to change the short chain ALA
into longer chain fatty acids like EPA and DHA, but
the process is slow and inefficient for most people.
Should I take fish oil with meals?
Yes, it is better to take fish oil with food to enhance
absorption.
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