fish oil: the one supplement everyone should be taking
Omega-3 fatty acids are best absorbed from fish oil. The fatty acids from fish oil prevent damaged genes from initiating cancer and may stop existing cancers from spreading. If you have been on low-fat diets, you may have been deprived of fatty acids that help lift your mood, and fish oil contains those fatty acids that help alleviate depression. Women should take fish oil because its fatty acids help improve calcium absorption and preserve bone density. People with joint issues and arthritis will be happy to know that Omega-3's reduce inflammation. Finally, fish oil has cardiovascular benefits inscluding lowered triglycerides, improved heart rhythm, and the slowing down of plaque growth.
1 Comments:
With regard to cardiovascular benefits, "It is also worth noting that garlic works synergistically with fish oils to promote a healthy cholesterol.
"If choosing to take garlic, remember it is the ability of the supplement to yield allicin, which confers benefit. When selecting a garlic preparation, also make sure that it is stomach coated in order to avoid being broken down by stomach acid. Lastly, some Ôø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡odor freeÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡ garlic preparations may have no active ingredients at all (source: Isaacsohn JL, et al. Garlic powder and plasma lipids and lipoproteins, a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 1998;158:1189-1194).
"The typical dosage is 900 mg daily, given in three divided doses or 4 grams of fresh garlic."
- High Cholesterol Hypercholesterolemia) data compiled by www.holistichearthealth.com, Copyright 2001 Holistic Heart Health, Inc.
I like to get my Omega-3s from flax seed which is also rich in Omega-6s. Alphalinolenic
acid (ALA)(another omega-3 fatty acid) is in particularly high concentration in flax seed, which is also a great source of dietary fiber. But, I didn't know fish oil was better absorbed by the body. I'll have to look into that.
If you're interested, either buy milled flax seed or mill it at home (the seed has to be cut open in order to get the nutritional benefit). But don't store in plastic or expose to open air or the sun too much (i.e., store it in the freezer). I recommend flax seed from Canada, where the growth above the 43rd parallel gives the plant a better Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio.
5/9/06 4:42 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home