Fishoils

Most adults have vivid childhood memories of their parents giving them spoonfuls of codliver oil; just the thought of it is enough to make you gag.  Unfortunately for this reason many people stopped taking fishoil; however our parents were on to something and you could be missing out on many health benefits by not taking them.

For those of you gagging just at the thought of taking it again there’s no need to worry, fishoils now come in gel capsules; for those of you that for some strange reason actually like the taste of the oil, you can still have it by the spoonful.

Why are fishoils so important? Fishoils are high in Omega 3 fatty acids; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These essential fatty acids are not produced by the body and therefore need to be consumed from our diet or from supplementing.

Most of the following benefits have been proven through research, some are still ongoing; however there is no doubt that fishoil has been proven to have a positive effect on health.

Benefits:

Reduce joint inflammation

Improve cardiovascular health

Lower blood pressure

Aid in brain function

Boost memory and concentration

Protection from stroke and heart attacks

Reduce risk of certain cancers

Aid in fat loss (research underway)

Improve skin health and certain skin conditions such as acne and excema.

Lower bad cholesterol on the body and increases good cholesterol

Relieve depression and anxiety

Improve you immune system

When to take fishoils? In between meals will help your body to absorb and digest the fishoil. This is because this is the time your body generates the digetstive ezymes necessary to help with digestion.  Consuming it in the middle of your me

What types of fish are considered to be oily fish? Mackerel, Tuna, Salmon, Sardines and Herring produce fish oil

Why is it necessary to supplement with fishoil rather than simply eating oily fish?  Most people don’t eat enough oily fish on a regular basis.  As well some people may fear that consuming large amounts of oily fish could be a health hazard, as many believe fish to contain high levels of toxins and mercury.

Are all brands of fishoils the same?  No it’s important to purchase a very good quality pharmaceutical-grade.  When it comes to supplements you really do get what you pay for.  Lower end and generic brands can contain toxins or not retain their quality over time.

How much should you take?  On average the recommended about is anywhere from 500mg – 3000mg per day. The amount is dependent on the reason you are taking fish oils.  If you are unsure of how much you should be taking it is recommended that you consult your physician or a nutritionist for an optimal amount

How to strore fishoils? Store fishoils away from sunlight, ideally in the refridgerator as it will help the oild from going rancid.

*It is advisable to contact your doctor prior to taking supplements or changing drastically changing your diet