By: Valerie Rosenbaum
Submitted: 2009-05-14 00:53:26 | Word Count: 528
Many of the benefits of fish oil are due to its anti inflammatory activity. A recent study indicates that some fish oils have more anti inflammatory activity than others and it is not directly related to the omega3 concentration. For many years, it was believed that the omega3 content was the only important nutrient in the oils. But, it seems that there is an “X factor”.
Omega3 fatty acids are beneficial to our health in many ways and most people don’t get enough in their diet. People that stick with the typical Western diet (lots of beef, bread and potatoes) get way to much omega6s and little if any omega3s.
[ advertisement ]
Without enough omega3s, our brains and eyes start to suffer. Our joints start to ache. We may suffer from inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and lupus. So, many diseases are related to the diet. If the mainstream medical community really wanted to do something good for people’s health, they would tell them exactly what and what not to eat.
Omega6s contribute to inflammation. Omega3s modulate inflammation. So, for many years, the anti inflammatory benefits of fish oil were attributed to the omega3 content. Now, we have a little evidence to indicate that there is something else in those oils.
Fishermen in the cold North Atlantic were the first ones that began to take a daily dose of fish oil to ease their aching joints. Modern day studies have shown that there is benefit for reducing morning stiffness and pain after 2 3 months of supplementation.
The latest study compared the anti inflammatory activity of natural, non concentrated, non distilled, oils to those of an ester concentrate. Then the anti inflammatory activity of a combination type that was 50 concentrate and 50 natural oil was compared. The combination product had twice the anti inflammatory activity of the concentrate, alone, even though the omega3 concentration was reduced. That’s why researchers say there is an X factor, something that has yet to be identified.
It could simply be that the natural triglyceride contains all of the different omega3s (DHA, EPA, and DPA) in exactly the right combination. The reason for adding the concentrate is to insure that there is a large enough omega3 content to be beneficial for the health of the brain and eyes.
We may not know everything that there is to know about the inflammation fighting abilities, but we do know that an omega 3 called DHA is essential to the brain, both during childhood and throughout life. Low levels of DHA in the bloodstream are present in people that suffer from depression, anxiety and other neurological conditions. DHA is the most abundant fatty acid found in the retina of the eye. So, it is essential for good vision, throughout life.
Omega3s have antioxidant activity, as well. Researchers believe that they may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. That’s why omega3 content is important and that’s why the better manufacturers insure that each capsule will provide the full benefits of fish oil. They do that by combining a concentrate with that which comes from nature.
Author Resource:-
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the single most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends after extensive research: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
