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What Is Fish Oil Good for?

Fish oil is a popular health supplement that is praised by holistic experts for being high in nutrients and healthy fats. Understanding the benefits of fish oil will help you decide whether you want to use the supplement.

  1. Features

    • Fish oil is a substance produced from cold-water fish, including salmon, tuna, mackerel and cod. The substance is sold in health food stores, and is most commonly packaged sold in capsule or liquid form.

    High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

    • The oil is high in EPA and DHA, two Omega-3 fatty acids that assist in brain, nervous system and eyesight function. Omega-3 fatty acids also help to reduce the risk of heart disease, according to fishoilbenefit.net. A 2002 study completed by the American Dietetic Association reported that Omega-3 fatty acids assist in reducing fatty deposits in arteries. In addition, the fatty acids are considered to be highly effective in reducing the risk of arthritis, according to fishoilbenefit.net. Fish oil also is high in many other essential vitamins and minerals.

    May Reduce the Risk of Cancer:

    • According to a 2009 study completed by the American Dietetic Association, fish oil seems to reduce the risk of certain cancers, including breast, colon, and prostate cancer. In the study, the American Dietetic Association asked patients to consume variable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, for three, six and 12 months. The study indicated that the oil assists in reducing the development, growth, and metastasis of colon cancer, a leading cause of death in North America, according to the American Dietetic Association. In addition, the study indicated that fish oil may also stop the development of cancerous masses on healthy cells, as the oil also is believed to help inhibit unwanted cell growth in the body.
      More information on these studies can be found in Volume 95, Issue 9 of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

    May Reduce Pregnancy Complications

    • According to a 2009 study completed by the Mayo Clinic, fish oil may also help to prevent pregnancy complications, including premature delivery and low birth weights. The Mayo Clinic determined that consuming fish oil during pregnancy also appears to reduce the risk of post-partum depression. Doctors suggest that women should take fish oil consistently during the entire pregnancy for best results.

    Additional Health Benefits

    • Fish oil also may improve eyesight and decrease eye dryness (Fish Oil Benefits). The oil also is thought to prevent various emotional conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHA, depression, and anger-caused depression. Fish oil also benefits patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus and other inflammatory disorders, according to fishoilbenefit.net. Finally, a recent study determined that fish oil assists in weight regulation and helps to minimize cravings.

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