150,000 years ago became is the starting point that separates modern humans

from the ragtag band of earlier species. The discovery was actually an

accident since fat or oil from fish was a common diet of many early people

in the East African Rift Valley.

Fish oil is a brain food that caused their thinking skills to expand with

incredible speed, allowing them tremendous advantage over every other

species on the planet. Within a short time, they were able to dominate the

earth. For these believers’ fat or oil form fish is most likely the

candidate for the brain food that initiated their mental development. Fish

oil by then was a rare type of fat that would have been in short supply on

the plains of Africa but was found in great abundance in the lakes of the

East African Rift Valley.

They believe that fish oil is the crucial dietary factor that enabled early

generations to evolve into modern humans about 150,000 years ago. For them

it is the missing link that will allows us to age with our mental

capabilities completely free from many disorders. Dementia and depression

are one of these disorders, both a mental health problems.

Dementia is a loss of brain function and usually occurs with other

diseases. The causes of dementia are mostly not preventable. There are

studies that say that dementia can be controlled by practicing healthy

habits like quitting smoking, controlling high blood pressure and diabetes.

Dementia has many types and one of them is the vascular dementia, a type

that is caused by series of small strokes or changes in the brain’s blood

supply. A notable healthy habit that can help reduce vascular dementia is

by taking a low-fat diet and exercising regularly.

Depression on the other hand, is a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder

with symptoms like severe sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and

concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and sleeping

time, feelings of hopelessness, and sometimes can lead to a suicide. A

recent study revealed that higher blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid

(EPA) are associated with a lower risk of these two diseases among elderly

persons. EPA is found in certain fish and are believed by some to lower the

risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

New medical research also revealed that almost every chronic disease is

affected by an imbalance of eicosanoids. It is by constantly controlling

insulin levels that a person can gain control of eicosanoids which is the

key to prevent diseases and maintain wellness. Eicosanoids affect our body

as a whole including the heart, mind and even emotions. Excess in insulin

leads to a wide range of disease conditions.

There is also a need for a person to regulate calorie without hunger or

deprivation. It is believe that by doing so, aging is reversed. And lastly

for a person to gain balance in her well-being, a person most supplement

her diet with tolerable amount of fish oil.

Hormones are the key to longevity and optimal health and you have the power

to control your hormones through your diet. Once you achieve this, you can

have the power to reverse the aging process, prevent heart disease, reverse

cancer, reduce pain and inflammation and treat neurological disease.

And since controlling your hormones is the key to a longer and better life,

fish oil is the missing link that allows you to achieve it with no side

effects.

brought about by single-cell algae. There was an explosion in biological

diversity as multi-cell organisms started to evolve from single-cell algae.

These new organisms had to develop a communication system to enable

specialized cells to transmit messages to one another. The purpose of

communication was two way; one was to build nerve connections between

specialized cells and the other involved the use of hormones.

Eicosanoids were the first hormones product of these communications and

they utilize fats in cell membranes as their building blocks. These

eicosanoids don’t just use any type of fat for their synthesis but they

also require the long-chain highly-saturated fat (polyunsaturated) which is

only found in algae-derived fats. And this is what many scientists of today

believed to be the cause of breakthrough that separated smart man from

average man.

Some 150,000 years ago our ancestors had discovered that fats or fish oil

makes them smart. The healthy eicosanoids that are derived from those fats

that control our health today – the omega-3 rich fish oil.

The first recorded production of fish oil happened in 1775 in England.

However, when the cod was brought back from America, the livers appeared to

be disgusting as it were slapped onto the filthy streets of London, for the

oil would ooze out. This was collected together with other stuffs on the

streets and sold as cod liver oil.

Despite of its filthy beginnings – for many people at that time the crude

liver oil was considered a miracle oil for diseases like arthritis. The cod

liver oil isn’t actually contaminated by street sewage but it’s still full

of industrial contaminants like mercury and PCBs. These contaminants

pollute the waters where cod live. Because of this the end products has

some foul taste that turned the stomach of every child in America who took

it two generations ago.

So while it’s true that 1 tablespoon of cod liver oil supplies 2.5 grams of

long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, it is also true that it supplies

contaminants and a high dose of vitamin A, which is stored in the body’s

fat tissues and can cause toxic effects like hair loss if taken in high

enough doses.

The final breakthrough in fish oils happened when Ultra Refined EPA and DHA

concentrate Omega-3 product was developed. EPA and DHA are almost found

exclusively in sea foods. The process required advanced chemical

engineering that starts with the removal of most of the saturated fat by

fractional distillation and the removal of virtually all the PCBs (measured

in parts per billion) by more sophisticated molecular distillation. In the

process called polishing, impurities are removed through hot water. The

fish oil are also added with anti-oxidants for longer life and added

nutrients.

With these innovations, a new type of fish oil was developed. The

end-product ensures you to have a concentrated amount of long-chain Omega-3

fatty acids without unwanted substances like chemical contaminants or

harmful fatty acids that can harm your well-being.

It is only with the use of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil that you can get

high enough levels of long-chain Omega-3 fats for your brain and body. The

effect of the high-grade fish oil usually occurs after taking it everyday

in 30 days.

omega-3 fish oil belongs to the essential fatty acids which our body needs.

Our body does not have any capabilities of producing the omega-3 so we rely

on external sources, mainly fish rich in oil, as our main source. The fact

that it is labeled essential fatty acid means that our body really needs it

and the lack of which could result to a variety of health consequences.

Among the known benefits of taking omega-3 includes reducing the risks of

having heart disease, can reduce the development of cancer cells, prevents

pregnancy complications, improves eyesight and helps prevent depression. We

can have a longer list but I won’t trouble you with that, needless to say

the benefits of fish oil are real. But unknown to quite few, the fish oil

supplements that we all think of as friends has the dark side too, has side

effects which when left uncheck can be quite harmful and can even prove to

be fatal.

If our list of benefits is quite long, the side effects not as many. The

side effects only manifests when one overdoses with the intake and can even

disappear after a few days. Sometimes that body just needs to get used to

the fish oil and once it has adjusted, the side effects would disappear.

Some of the minor and immediate side effects include a fishy after taste

and diarrhea.

These two often appears during the first few days of taking the fish oil.

These symptoms should disappear after a couple of days but in case they

don’t changing brands of fish oil supplements might help. But setting up a

meeting with your doctor would be the best idea.

After a couple of weeks of taking fish oil capsules, you might notice some

fishy burping before and after each meal. This can just be because your

body is still adjusting. Give it a couple of days and the burping might

stop. Although, you should check the expiry dates of your of your

supplements. You might also want to consider that what you have been taking

are bad quality produce. Changing brands might help. Some suggest keeping

the supplements in a freezer to prevent the various gastrointestinal side

effects.

On the other hand, blood thinning is something that you cannot eliminate by

just simply changing brands. You see omega-3 from fish oils is great for

the heart because it is a natural blood thinner. They help coagulate the

blood which helps prevent blood clots which helps prevent heart diseases.

But because omega-3 is already a blood thinner, people who are already

taking blood thinning medications should avoid the intake of either the

fish oil or the blood thinning drug. The possible problem with this is that

people will get too much blood thinners resulting to patients bleeding out.

The bleeding could be internal which can damage organs and could result to

something fatal.

You should watch out for signs of internal bleeding like black stools or

the presence of blood in the stool or vomiting of blood which are all signs

of gastrointestinal bleeding. When you bleed in the brain the signs could

be changes in your vision or speech, numbness of an arm or leg, and severe

headache.

The dark side of fish oil is just that, one part of a fairly good

supplement. There are ways to prevent the side effects and most of them

through proper consultations before you even start taking those fish oil

supplements.

conditions. Of course, many people have already known how using fish oil

may help improve skin health and reduce the risk of heart disease. But

there are also surprising benefits that fish oil seem to offer to those who

regularly consume them. Here are just some of them.

Depression And Anxiety
People may not be aware of it, but fish oil seems to help put people in a

good mood. In fact, many studies have shown that fish oil may be beneficial

in trying to help treat depression and anxiety in people. Thanks to the

omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil, it seems a good means to relieve

anxiety, depression, stress and sadness in people.

Fish oil seems to have good mood stabilizing properties that make them

quite interesting as a treatment for depression and other related

conditions. Evidence suggests that countries where oily fish such as salmon

is regularly eaten also seem to have low incidence of depression. Similar

studies involving prisoners have also shown that having them on a diet rich

in omega 3 fatty acids resulted in a significant drop in homicide rates.

Although more studies may be needed in order for such findings to be

conclusive, it already shows some good evidences of the other surprising

benefits of fish oil.

Cancer Fighter
It may seem quite surprising enough that fish oil may also benefit patients

with certain forms of cancer. Preliminary studies have shown that fish oil

may be useful in trying to delay the weight loss in people suffering from

pancreatic cancer. Still further research may be needed to solidify this

claim as well as how fish oil may affect certain types of cancers.

Type II Diabetes
Some studies also have shown positive findings on the effect of fish oil in

Type II diabetes. Since people suffering from this form of diabetes are

also prone to developing diseases such as coronary heart disease,

atherosclerosis and stroke, medical experts believe that taking fish oil

supplements may also help in trying to reduce such risks in diabetics. Some

studies have already shown that fish oil may also be effective in lowering

triglyceride levels in people with diabetes.

Pregnancy
Fish oil might also be able to help women bear healthier children. Taking

fish oil supplements may help pregnant women ensure the healthy development

of their child while still in the womb. The DHA found in fish oil is known

to help babies undergo healthy eye and brain development. Pregnant women

who are also taking fish oil supplements run fewer risks of having

premature births, miscarriage or delivering babies with low birth weights.

As an added benefit, pregnant women who regularly take fish oil supplements

run lesser risks of getting into depression following the baby’s delivery.

Fertility
Fish oil supplements may also help in improving fertility. In a study done

on male boars, those who were fed with a diet rich in fish oils were able

to show better sperm quality.  After ejaculation, the sperm from the boars

fed with fish oil seem to resist the effects of lipid peroxidative attacks

in the female boar genital tract, giving the sperm higher chances of

conception.

any outside aggressors and to begin the process of healing. Its effect on

our tissues usually involves pain, heat and redness. However, there are

some cases that this outward effect is not visible.

Inflammation is a double-edges sword; its effect can be helpful or harmful

depending on the circumstances. When an inflammation is in chronic state,

devastating consequences are likely to happen like arthritis, heart disease

or stroke. It usually happens when the cause of inflammation is continually

reintroduced or if the acute inflammatory response is not able to eliminate

it. This situation is very likely to happen nowadays because of our

exposure to implausible amounts of toxins.

Some of these toxins can be avoided like poor food choices, smoking, and

prolonged sun exposure. While some things arise from things from things we

don’t have control like genetics, accidents and pollution. Inasmuch as

there are factors you can’t help being exposed to unnecessary and harmful

factors detrimental to your good health, you can also take food supplements

effective in strengthening your body against the sometimes lethal effect of

inflammation. The most effective food supplement according to recent

studies happens to be fish oil.

The prevalence of destructive or chronic inflammation among Western

countries makes it imperative for many specialists to deal with preventive

measures. The reason behind this is that the Western population is more

exposed to stress, obesity and poor health in general. Many pharmacological

anti-inflammatory drugs offer reduction of inflammation, however, long-term

medication have potentially lethal side effects.

So what is your safest option if you have inflammation? Research on

alternative medicines revealed that certain dietary supplements can help

reduce levels of pro-inflammatory factors, with significantly lower side

effects. One of these dietary supplements is the essential fatty acids or

EFAs.

Essential fatty acids are necessary for various aspects of normal

physiology like: mediating immune response, regulating bodily secretions

and their viscosity, dilating and constricting blood vessels, regulating

collateral circulation, directing endocrine hormones to their target cells,

regulating smooth muscles and autonomic reflexes, being primary

constituents of cell membranes, regulating the rate of cell division,

maintaining the fluidity and rigidity of cellular membranes, regulating the

flow of substances into and out from cells, transporting oxygen from red

blood cells to the tissues, maintaining proper kidney function and fluid

balance, keeping saturated fats mobile in the bloodstream, preventing blood

clots, mediating the release of inflammatory eicosanoids that may trigger

allergic conditions, and regulating nerve transmission and communication.

(Source: Fish Oil: The Natural Anti-inflammatory by Joseph C. Maroon and

Jeffrey Bost, 2006, page 39).

For this reason, it is very important for over-all health to have a regular

intake of foods rich in omega-6 or omega-3 EFAs. The omega-3 pathway,

activated by trauma, injury, or chemical stimulus, is the process of

converting the omega-3 EFAs found in the cell membranes to various

eicosanoids. If the omega-3 EFA components of the cell membranes become

dominant, an anti-inflammatory state can result, with preventive health

benefits.

Fish oil is the best source of the omega-3 essential fatty acids. But why

fish oil, you might ask? The needed nutrients can also be found in green

plants; algae (phytoplankton); leaves and seeds of the perilla plants; and

linseed oil but fish oil is considered the most important dietary source of

omega-3 EFAs because it contains concentrated amounts of the ALA

derivatives with APA and DHA.

The two mentioned nutrients can almost exclusively found in seafood. Fish

contains high amount of EPA and DHA because they are at the top of food

chain based on algae, a single-marine organism that manufactures huge

amount of EPA and DHA.

hundred and one reasons why people resort to taking fish oil supplements,

whether it be the result of aggressive marketing and commercial campaigns

or simply because it was proven effective by one and word spread like

wildfire about its therapeutic or healing wonders.

Generally, a common view about fish oil supplements is that it gives the

public a sense of security knowing that a particular ‘alternative’ or

‘natural’ health supplement is sourced from a commonly recognized raw

material, for example, an herb possessing healing properties or plant life

known for vitamin and nutrient qualities.

Psychologically, the public is much more at ease knowing that fish oil

supplements are sourced from commonly known raw materials found in the

environment, rather than medication or supplements synthetically or

chemically-generated in pharmaceutical laboratories.

Among the most common popular – yet sometimes debatable – benefits one can

get from fish oil supplements are the following;

An all-natural approach to healing and therapy. People are more comfortable

knowing that alternative approaches to healing and therapy promotes the

human body’s ability to heal itself, and with the introduction of fish oil

supplements could enhance the body’s resistance to disease and illnesses.

Fish oil supplements are good sources of vitamins and minerals needed by

the body. Many experts believe that natural resources of vitamins and

minerals that are commonly found in the environment are more likely to

supplement the body under ‘natural’ conditions.

A cheaper alternative than conventional prescription synthetic health

medicines. Although this claim is a highly debated issue by health buffs

and pharmaceutical hardliners, economics play a key role in determining

this issue. While millions of dollars go into the research and development

of vitamin and mineral substitutes for mass production, cultural and

traditional forces are at play in rallying the cause of alternative

supplements to boost one’s health.

All-natural supplements are safer than conventional medicines. Sometimes

true and sometimes not, researches are still being conducted regarding the

adverse effects of some ‘natural’ remedies and supplements, aside from

promoting healing or therapeutic capabilities.

There is a wide array of choices in the long list of alternative health

supplements, depending on one’s needs for supplementation and therapeutic

needs. From seed to fruit extracts, depending on one’s preference for

taste, health effects or supplementation needs, there are hundreds of

options one can have in the choice for the best fish oil supplements in the

market.

Natural and fish oil supplements are less-likely to create allergic or

adverse reactions for the user. This again is another debatable topic,

however, the public should take caution as to determining what is good or

bad for their health.

Many fish oil supplements provide treatment for a wide range of major and

minor health conditions, compared to the limited efficacy of their

synthetic counterparts that only target a particular illness or disorder.

Almost all fish oil supplements are used for the prevention of illnesses by

strengthening the immune system, rather than as a palliative measure at the

onset or during the affliction of a disease.

Fish oil supplements can be taken to augment good nutrition and cater to

the body’s need for the recommended standard dosage of vitamins and

minerals. If one particular mineral or nutrient is not found in a standard

diet, supplements can be taken to address the deficit.

Finally, fish oil supplements are good sources of fortified vitamins and

minerals. Depending on our individual needs for vitamins and minerals, it

can add to the body’s need for specific nutrients, for example,

breast-feeding or pregnant women need more calcium, folic acid and every

other essential nutrients for fetal development,  compared to teens and

men.

Whether these benefits bear truth or not, it is still essential to seek

expert opinion about the medicines or supplements we take- be it synthetic

or natural- since what may be good for one may be bad for another. It would

still be good to know and understand what is best for us.

words that bear relation to pain and alternative treatment.

But to the uninitiated, they would aptly ask the question, “What are the

healing benefits of Fish oil and what can it do to help someone with cardio

vascular disease?”

This question can be answered by the thousands of cardio vascular sufferers

who have benefited from the healing wonders of Fish oil, as well as with

those who are currently undergoing treatment using this natural food

supplement.

Apparently the most common benefits of Fish oil with cardio vascular is

that it alleviates the major symptoms of the disorder, specifically since

Fish oil is a highly effective method for treating the symptomatic

conditions commonly found among cardio vascular sufferers.

The use of Fish oil supplements promote healing among its patients, and the

process is usually done by ingesting the extract in capsule, pill or even

powdered form.

For cardio vascular patients, the process involves daily intake of

controlled and administered doses of the fish oil supplement.

The healing wonders of fish oil is believed to have originated from Asia,

after noting that fishermen staying for long periods of time at sea and

have mostly a regular diet of fish turn out to be more healthy and are less

susceptible to . It was practiced by Buddhist monks for over a thousand

years and was passed on through generations.

Fish oil practitioners reckon that it is a powerful healing process using

natural universal energy that keeps us alive, and is the energy responsible

for the body’s ability to heal itself. It is this energy that flows through

the hands of what is called the ‘Fish oil channel’ in a concentrated and

powerful energy form on to the body to correct the energy imbalance of the

patient.

Although Fish oil is derived from deep sea fish and is not meant as a cure

for diseases, it complements and can also work as a support mechanism to

conventional disease treatment in cases where medication is generally

required.

Specifically, Fish oil is not a cure for any disease, even cardio vascular

disease, however, it’s healing benefits enhances over-all health and

general well-being, as well as a cursory factor to living a healthy

lifestyle, thus, relieving patients of stress and other pain-related

symptoms.

Realistically, Fish oil is not for everybody, but the main focus of this

therapy is that the cardio vascular patient should discipline themselves

and take full responsibility for their own health, and that by giving one’s

self up to take active and committed participation to allow self-healing,

then can only Fish oil be fully embraced and allow the healing power to

take its effect.

Cardio vascular disease affects millions of people in the United States,

regardless of age or social status, and no studies have been established

pinpointing to the very cause of the disease, except that it is closely

associated to lifestyle, diet, genetic history, depression and stress.

Ideally, thousands of cardio vascular sufferers have benefited from Fish

oil supplements and although it is not a proven cure-all for cardio

vascular disease, it provides cardio vascular patients with the hope that

there are alternative and holistic solutions to treating this disease. Be

it Fish oil or conventional treatment, the final decision rests with the

patient, whichever they find suitable and comfortable for them.

After all, fish oil is turning out to be a ray of hope for those with

cardio vascular disease.

question they ask is how much quantity does one take? Well, some would

recommend at least 3.5 grams a day while others suggest a mere 2.5 grams of

omega-3 fatty acids would be enough to get the whole health benefits of

fish oil. To be on the safe side, it would be better to consult your doctor

of nutritionist for the proper dosage of fish oil.

There are in fact a number of factors to consider. Take age for example. It

has been found out that the needs of younger people for essential fatty

acids are higher than the older folks. One of the possible reasons is the

fact that young people are more active which makes their needs for

essential fatty acids greater than old people who have gone on with their

retirements.

However, this should not be misunderstood that older people do not need

daily intake of fish oil. The dosage or amount only diminishes but the

importance of taking fish oil does not. Nothing can stress this more than

the studies that have been conducted in the past which shows that the

healthy essential fatty acids in fish oil help reduce and prevent the

inflammation of blood vessels which is linked to heart disease.

According to experts, the lack of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and the

docoxahexaenoic acid (DHA) can result to depression and heart disease. And

since EPA and DHA are the primary omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil the

significance of fish oil in one’s diet cannot and should not be undermined.

Plus, our body cannot produce essential fatty acids so our only hope to get

them is through an outside source. Only by eating fish rich in fats and oil

or taking those commercially available fish oil supplement capsules does

our body get the necessary supply of omega-3.

Probably one way of determining the amount of omega-3 you take also depends

on your intake amount of omega-6 fatty acids. You can find omega-6 acids

from common vegetable cooking oils like canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil

and sunflower oil. These are present in a lot of food available in the

supermarket, most especially the processed ones.

We need to balance the intake of omega-3 and omega-6 since the latter

compete for enzymes with the former. And too much omega-6 could result to

inflammation which can later affect the heart. The effects of omega-6

counters the benefits omega-3 gives the heart. According to some experts,

having a ratio of 2 to 1, omega-6 to omega-3, would be the best combination

to have. The ratio properly balances the effects of both essential fatty

acids.

Other doctors recommend taking only a minimal quantity of say 2.5 grams per

day or even lower depending on how much it will take to maintain your state

of health. Taking too much might result to bodily imbalance which can

become harmful to your overall health. However, if you have a certain

disease or existing condition like, your doctors might prescribe you a

stronger daily dosage of fish oil to help you cope and regain your health.

To sum up, the quantity of fish oil you should take depends on your state

of health, diet, age, among other factors. Consulting your doctors would be

the best move before starting on a daily intake of fish oil.

oil is in helping improve our heart conditions.  Studies in Denmark showed

that fish oil could reduce heart attacks by 50 %.  While the Journal of

American Medical Association published a report from Harvard School of

Public Health that states that women who consume fish with higher Omega-3

fatty acid lessens their risk of incurring any heart disease.

These evidences show us how good Omega-3 fatty acid is to our body.  This

would actually improve our life and lengthen our life span.  High contents

of Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish like salmon, mackerel,

sardines, herring and anchovies.  They have docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and

eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA which have anti-inflammatory and

anti-coagulant effects.

Omega-3 fatty acid belongs to the polyunsaturated fats, along with omega-6

fatty acid.  Omega- 6 acid come mainly from vegetable oil.  Omega-6 oils

can also provide the body with heart and health benefits, but too much is

also bad for the body.  Omega-3 fatty acids do not only help in heart

issues, but also support brain development.

EPA and DHA are very important to our body.  But the body does not produce

Omega-3 fatty acid.  We have to get the nutrients from our food.  Omega-3

acids are called or referred to as building blocks of the body.  They help

the brain and vision development, not only for children but for adults as

well.

Italian researchers actually say that consuming about 1 gram of Omega-3 per

day would show significant effects on reducing heart attacks.  A gram of

Omega-3 fatty acid can be present in a medium sized serving of salmon.

How do these acids exactly reduce heart attack risks?

They reduce triglyceride levels.  Triglycerides come from fats of the food

that we eat and calories not digested. In excessive amount, tryglycerides

can cause coronary heart disease.  They are just like cholesterol, they

block the arteries and these can lead to heart attacks.

Aside from that they can also stabilise irregular heart beat.  It can lower

blood pressure and increase the level of good cholesterol.  They also have

anti-inflammatory characteristics.  They are also anti-coagulant which

means they make sure that they platelets do not stick together are clot.

These clotted platelets can also block the arteries and the blood flow. You

call this Thrombosis.

But according to a research led by Dr. Jochen Senges of the University of

Heidelberg, the risk for a second attack among patients who used

recommended medications compared with those who are using fish oil has no

significant difference.  It just show how important it is to avoid getting

any heart attack in the first place.

You can take fish oil supplement or eat a lot of fatty fish but if you do

not combine them with a healthy heart diet, still it is going to be

useless.  A healthy heart diet would include high fiber food like

vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts.  Aside from eating fish,

eating good quality protein products like lean poultry, non-fat dairy, and

other products that does not contain saturated fat or trans fat.

Fish oil is not a magic pill which can transform you immediately into a

healthy person just by taking them. Being a healthy person does not only

require taking food supplements but also eating properly and healthily.

also good for our brain. Fish oil comes from fatty fish like salmon,

mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies.  It contains Omega-3 fatty acid

docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA.  These kind

of Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body so it is important to

take in food that contain these kinds of nutrients.

Fish oil is said to improve brain development and memory.  DHA plays a

major role in the structure and development of the brain.  It is also

important in developing vision.  Pregnant women’s diet should constitute

fish oil since DHA is important for the baby to develop their brain.

According to the research by the University of Western Australia, expectant

mothers who include DHA in their diet are said to give birth to babies with

better eye and hand coordination and less risk of giving birth prematurely.

Their children are also better speakers and could understand more at the

age of two and a half. Although, if you are pregnant and would like to take

fish oil supplement, it is better check with your doctor first.  Fish oil

is also said to result into bleeding as a side-effect.

Research and studies showed that adding fish oil to your diet could also

reduce possibility and risks of mental and psychological disorders like

depressive orders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar

disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Actually, according to a study by Aberdeen University they identified that

fish oil can actually increase IQ scores and can even slow the ageing

process. According to a Swedish study published in the Archives of

Neurology, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer were given 1.7 grams of

DHA and .6 grams of EPA.  They showed less cognitive decline in six months.

As mentioned, fish oil is recommended for children who have ADHD.  There

are studies showing that the lack polyunsaturated fatty acids can

contribute to this disorder.  This can also be the reason behind dyslexia.

There were studies conducted among children, they were given fish oil

supplements for the period of three months.  These children showed

significant improvements in behaviour, reading and spelling.  They were

also able to focus and concentrate more.

There were studies that showed that Omega-3 fatty acids had the same

effects as Prozac which is a known anti-depressant.  Studies showed that

countries with high fish consumption have lower rates of depression.  Aside

from that, pregnant women and those who have just given birth who include

fish in their diet regularly have lower risk of experiencing postpartum

depression.

If you have decided to take fish oil supplements to address these mental

problems for yourself or for your kids or relatives, then it would be best

to consult a doctor first.  You would have to know how much you are going

to take.  Just like any vitamins or anything, when taken in excess it can

have bad effects.

Too much of fish oil supplement can also cause some serious problems like

oxidative stress.  Some doctors would recommend taking Vitamin C along with

the fish oil supplement.  This would actually balance the nutrients that

you are getting.

Fish oil has amazing effects on our health and body, we just have to

remember to keep it balanced with a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle.