THE BENEFITS OF DIETARY FISH OIL...

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor

(B.Appl Sci; Comp Med, Clin Chiro; Masters, B.Nursing)

Health is an important value of most people and 'wellness' has become a buzz word in the health care industry. However, with the many weight loss and reality or lifestyle shows, obesity and heart disease continue to become a massive issue all around the world and Australia and America are leading the statistics. 

Consequently, there has been an emergence of 'fat-free', 'low-calorie', 'low-fat', 'periodic starvation', meal replacement, 'cabbage soup' and 'lemon detox' diets, which are not an ideal way to become healthier, nor are they an effective means to loss weight permanently as these types of diets tend to interfere with our body's biochemical balance (homeostasis)...

Unfortunately, most dieters and fad diets fail to recognise the importance of consuming healthy fats. Myth buster #1: Not all fats make you fat! Healthy fats do exist that in fact assist your body in functioning optimally and as a result maintaining a health weight for your height and constitution.  Please know that dietary fat is essential... Very simply, the human body is ruled by hormones and hormones are made up of fats and without fat in our diet, vital hormones won’t be produced and our body can begin to dysfunction. 
Yo yo dieting has lead to such conditions as; metabolic syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, mood disorders, weight fluctuation, sleep disruption, headaches, menstrual irregularity, diabetic syndromes, the list goes on. A simple way to support your endocrine (hormonal) system is to nourish your body with healthy fats found in fish, raw cacoa, chia seeds, avocado, nuts & seeds and coconut products, which all contain imperative fats for well-being. Remember, plant based fats are essential and healthy, and saturated animal fats are unhealthy and should only be consumed in moderation. Minimising butter, cream & cheeses and cutting the fat off your meat is a good start. Remember, everything in moderation and be sure to consume a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh produce, filtered water, lean meats, nuts and seeds and avoid over eating. Try having three small-medium sized meals a day and try not to get caught up in the idea that skipping meals will assist you, as it won't! Skipping meals will cause stress to the metabolic system and lead to binge eating and weight gain. 

In the past 10 years it has become popular to take a daily EPA/ DHA (omega-3 fatty acid/ fish oil) supplement. Some people take fish oils because they believe it is good for their joints and inflammation relating to arthritis, others because they notice benefits to their skin, memory, brain function and overall vitality. The fact is, many people eat a diet low in fish and seafood and research now suggests that signs of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may include; fatigue, poor memory, poor immunity, dry skin, eczema, or hair loss, heart conditions, reproductive challenges, mood swings, depression, poor circulation. 

FISH OIL USE IN INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS

Deep in the waters of the ocean certain types of fish exist that have very high levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial to our health. These fish include: Mackerel, Sardines, Salmon, Tuna and Anchovies. A substantial amount of research now proves that the omega-3 fatty acids have a positively impact on the immune system, can reduce the inflammatory reaction in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions (ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis etc). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for instance is an autoimmune disease which causes an immune attack on the joints & synovial membranes in the body. Studies over the past 20 years have shown that RA may respond to alternative treatment which includes; dietary changes (avoiding sugar, wheat, 'night-shade' vegetables and reducing red meat) and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Some Rheumatologist doctors recommend doses as high as 6g a day to reduce inflammation associated with a RA, by reducing the release of leukotriene B₄ & interleukin 1 (inflammatory mediators). It is important to note that omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil supplements are comparatively far safer than most pharmacological interventions (such as cortisone) used in treating inflammatory conditions, and thus are used as a safe, supportive adjunct to medical treatment. It is important to be aware, if you are on warfarin (a blood thinning medication), fish oils are NOT safe to be taken in combination with this drug.

FISH OIL USE DURING PREGNANCY & INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Pregnancy (and breastfeeding) is an incredible time of growth and change for both the mother and baby, therefore it is important to that women have adequate EPA/DHA to aid the brain, nervous system and eyes in their development. DHA is especially important, as it is a constituent of the phospholipid membrane of these neural structures and until development is complete must come from the diet (eaten/ supplemented). In saying this, you may regularly eat fatty fish such as salmon and trout 2-3 times a week (however purity is often a problem), and as a result practitioner only nutritional companies have made high quality fish oil supplements for your benefit. Supplements may also be helpful for people who dislike fish or for those women with severe morning sickness, who can not stomach the idea of fish due to the pungent smell and taste associated.

In terms of scientific research, there is no shortage of studies proposing the benefits of EPA/ DHA omega fatty acids, especially in regards to brain development and cardiac heath. In relation to pregnancy and infant heath, it has been suggested that inadequate consumption of DHA during pregnancy may be linked to shortened gestation, prematurity and postnatal depression (PND). Research has also connected increased brain function and intelligence to babies fed human milk (in comparison to formula-fed babies), due to having a higher concentration of DHA in the brain. Maternal intake of EPA/ DHA during pregnancy has also been found to have an effect on reducing infant allergy (although further study on this topic is necessary for a more conclusive understanding).

Perhaps, with this information and research about healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids we can now understand that dieting with low fat products may be less beneficial than once thought. Always remember, we require healthy fats for optimal health, especially during pregnancy.

FISH OILS USE & HEART HEALTH

For many years scientists have been studying the benefit of daily fish oil supplementation on heart health. Biomedical science tells us that dietary saturated fat and cholesterol are the basis for coronary heart disease, and that omega-3 fatty acids from fish are in fact protective to the heart. Interestingly, the constituents of these fatty acids and how they may assist in heart disease protection and treatment became apparent when Eskimos health was investigated. This population consume massive amounts of fish in their diets (including seals, whales and salmon) and yet continue to have impressively low rates of heart disease. What we now know through nutritional research, is that the fat the Eskimos ingest on a daily basis contains large quantities of very-long-chain fatty acids (EPA/DHA). In the West, most people are unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia and America and consequently preventative health measures (including exercise, healthy diet, smoking cessation, fish oil supplementation and weight reduction) are recommended and encouraged so that you may avoid becoming a statistic.

Much of the documented research that exists provides evidence that EPA/ DHA supplementation has an enormous advantage on heart health. This is especially so in; decreasing the risk of stroke (by reducing blood viscosity/ thickness), in lowering plasma cholesterol, by suppressing inflammation, in preventing cardiac remodelling/ dysfunction, in reducing atherosclerosis and by preventing heart attacks.

Results from research are impressive with more and more areas being studied each year (including skin conditions such as: psoriasis and eczema, later life brain function: including Alzhiemer’s and Parkinson’s and current brain function: including memory and concentration). The exciting aspect of all of this information is that nature again proves to have the answers to a health problem our nation is currently facing.  In addition, it is simple and easy to apply this precautionary health measure, as high quality fish oil supplements are readily available through your health care practitioner, once a thorough assessment and examination are conducted. 

You get what you pay for, It is important to purchase a high quality/practitioner only product such as Innate Choice Omega Sufficiency or Metagenics.. As these both have the optimum amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and EPA/DHA for your health!
Good luck and enjoy your health journey.

References:

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