Darrell Miller asked:


It’s usually a common fact that what is best for your body is also what is best for the planet. Eating organic foods instead of processed foods; eating less food overall; and using natural medicine from herbs and nutrients to heal illnesses instead of hazardous pharmaceuticals: are god for the environment and also good for your health. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. At first glance, one exception is eating fish and taking fish oil supplements. Although these fish oils are a huge benefit to the human body, the toll that fishing is taking on marine ecosystems is far less beneficial to fish populations. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, almost three-quarters of the world’s fish species are gone to a point of no return.

Fish oils are the only abundant natural source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Because most modern diets usually contain abundant omega-6 fatty acids these fatty acids are very low in most people’s diets. Omega-3s work as anti-inflammatory and promote good nerve transmission, heart function, and relaxed, open blood vessels, while omega-6s tend to do the opposite. By using fish oil supplements to raise levels of DHA and EPA, virtually every system of the body is benefited and protected against disease processes. These oils are currently being studied for their use in treatments against high cholesterol, depression, hypertension, and bipolar disorder. The growing popularity of these amazingly healthy foods, along with the ever-increasing pollution and habitat destruction are, together, creating a dangerous depletion of fish in our oceans.

So should we stop eating fish oil? If we do, we’ll be depriving ourselves of one of the world’s most beneficial foods, which helps our cardiovascular system, bones, joints, skin, energy levels, healthy pregnancy, visual acuity, hormone balance, psychological health, thinking ability, and sexual and emotional health. Fortunately, there is an alternative in getting your omega-3s. The answer is through buying your fish oil from a company that is dedicated to sustainable fish practices. Omega-3 is found in fish oil and flax seeds.

Some fish oil suppliers use a reef netting to catch Puget Sound salmon, which has been practiced by native people of the northwest for centuries using boats and nets made from cedar. Reef netting has been declared the “best sustainable fishing method in practice today” by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Reef nets mimic natural barriers that salmon routinely navigate, where they are caught and taken to a holding tank on the deck of the boat within minutes. Any by catch is then quickly and easily returned to sea unharmed. Fish oils should be made from anchovy and sardines that have been harvested from the coast of Peru, while their Cod Liver Oil is sourced from Artic cod off the coast of Norway, all of which have very healthy populations. A reputable company will make sure to choose where they source their fish oils, picking only the cleanest, purest fish to provide to consumers. After the oil arrives at a company, it goes through at least five different purification processes which eliminate any toxins and prevent spoilage before distillation.

Lori Matthews asked:


Fish Oil Benefits

Most cold-water fish contain oil in their fillet cavity. This oil is very rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. These nutrients are generally consumed to treat inflammation of the body.

Types of fish that have high levels of Omega 3 containing fish oil include trout, tuna, salmon, and sardine. However, consuming such types of fish in a very high quantity can be harmful due to the high toxin content of their body through a process known as biomagnifications, since these fish are relatively higher on the food chain.

The fish oil industry is the most lucrative in Norway, Chile, Iceland and Peru, the latter being the largest in the business. Omega 3 fatty acids not only help diagnosing inflammation, but also control the cholesterol content and enhance the composition of the human body, due to the influence of EPA and DHA on PPARα.

DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid and EPA is the abbreviation for Eicosapentanoic acid, both of which are types of essential Omega 3 fatty acid found widely in fish oil.

Here, one needs to remember that none of these Omega 3 compositions are produced by the fish independently.

The micro organic algae and photosynthetic reactions of other autotrophs are the original makers of EPA and DHA. The former is a precedent and a necessary condition for the formation of the latter. These Omega 3 fatty acid formations start to modify themselves as they reach higher tropic levels.

Benefits of DHA include reduction in the risk for cardiac illness, maintaining adequate proportion of serotonin in the brain and fighting manic depression.

Recent developments in research have enough proof to claim that DHA plays a positive role in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, postpartum depression and coronary artery blockage, prevention of cancer and benefits to lactating females.

Studies show that women who are pregnant need to supplement their daily diet with higher amounts of DHA. This increases the Omega 3 fatty acid content of breast milk, which in turn proves to be very beneficial for the baby.

EPA is apparently very important in the diagnosis for Schizophrenia. It should be noted that diabetes inhibits the body’s capacity for EPA. Such individuals should take additional EPA supplements to maintain adequate levels of it.

For this reason, food supplements such as yogurt and milk containing DHA and EPA and other Omega 3 fatty acids have been brought into the market for consumption.

Fish oil is extracted from the body of the fish and not from the liver (cod liver oil). Both Omega 3 and Omega 6 are basically kinds of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. The human body requires adequate amounts of both. Omega 3 is found generously in fish oil. Other sources of this type of fatty acid include nuts, avocados, flaxseed, eggs, and lactose rich food.

An important point to be noted here is that it is not fish oil that is the diagnosis. However, the Omega 3 fatty acid is. The fish oil is just the most effective way of consuming it.

It is always advisable to consult your doctor before you start fish oil supplements.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Ivan S. Pullicino B.Pharm. (Hons.) M.Sc. asked:


The introduction of the in-depth research on fish and other omega-3 oils, has brought a lot of excitement regarding the health benefits they have to offer.

Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA) help fight and prevent cardiovascular disease and many other chronic diseases. In addition, it increases one’s energy level and ability to concentrate, whilst providing a greater resistance to common illnesses such as cold and flu. Moreover, it is said to help pregnant women avoid premature births, low birth weight and other complications.

These essential fatty acids are therefore vital to one’s health. However, the body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids, thus they must be provided in our daily diet. Fish oil has to be an essential element in everyone’s nutritional regime. Unfortunately, most people start taking health precautions when it is already too late. Ideally, prevention for future ailments should commence at an early stage in life and continue throughout.

When deciding on which product to take remember that there is a distinction between cod liver oil and other beneficial cold water fish oil. Cod liver oil is the most commonly renowned; however Salmon oil and Shark liver oil have been proven to contain superior benefits. Salmon and Shark liver oil is a natural food supplement that helps cardiovascular well being and lowers levels of bad cholesterol. This is due to the omega 3 fatty acids, which are an excellent source to boost up HDL (the Good cholesterol) in your blood. Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and clupeidae oil, is a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids which can only be supplied by food sources.

If your difficulty is in digesting the fish oil or you just cannot tolerate the taste, there’s no need to worry because now there is the perfect solution. Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris, have launched the Cardiosterol Syrup, which is easily digested, having a very pleasant taste of blueberry. Yes, you read well, blueberry! The nasty taste of fish oil is masked by sugar free blueberry juice and sugar free honey.

Cardiosterol Syrup is a concentrate of Lecithin Soya and Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA), derived from shark liver oil, which is obtained for molecular characterization. The acids EPA and DHA contribute to regulating lipid metabolism, whereas the Omega-3 is indicated in cases of reduced intake from alimentation, of such fatty acids. Conversely, Soya lecithin contains several essential phospholipids required by every living cell in the human body. Soya lecithin breaks down cholesterol and fats in the blood, allowing them to be effectively utilized by the cells of the body. Soya lecithin found in the Cardiosterol Syrup by Alta Care Laboratoires – Paris, helps in the absorption of the fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K, and improves the health of the nervous system.

In addition to these vital contents, Cardiosterol is rich in Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. This protects the cellular membrane and other body liposoluble parts such as cholesterol LDL from being damaged. Many studies have shown that a daily dose of Vitamin E helps in reducing the risk of heart attack.

Another product on the market offering the above mentioned benefits, is Liposterol by Laboratoires TEV (France). Liposterol are gelules which promote a natural cholesterol treatment.

The active ingredients of Alta Care’s Cardiosterol Syrup are in their fresh form. They are therefore more effective than capsules, since the chemical constituents are not altered during processing, compression, storage and distribution. Capsules lose most of their efficacy due to drying and compressing of the ingredients.

Every time you eat a tasty meal full of fat and cholesterol don’t forget your dose of Cardiosterol syrup!

www.altacare.com

Cityslim.com asked:


Adapted from www.cityslim.com

While it is possible to obtain all the essential nutrients our bodies need from a well-balanced diet, omega-3 is the only physiologically-required nutrient that we actually do not get enough of! In fact, if you had to choose between taking a multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acid, most nutritionists and doctors alike would recommend omega-3 over the multi.

Why is this? Omega-3 is a naturally anti-inflammatory compound found in fish liver oil from cold-water fish, which produce this fatty acid to help insulate them. It also happens to be a component in the brain’s grey matter. (Specifically, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA makes up 22% of the brain’s phospholipid subclasses). Therefore, it should not surprise you that studies have shown omega-3 from supplements and from the diet can improve cognitive function and protect against neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression.[1] But wait, there’s more! This wonder-acid not only plays key roles in cognitive development and learning (children fed with breast-milk, naturally enriched by omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to score higher on standardized tests administered later on in life)[2], but also in:

visual development

immune and inflammatory response

preventing neurological degeneration

protecting against cardiovascular disease

cancer prevention

Just with respect to the heart, omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk sudden death by cardiac arrhythmias by up to 50%; reduce coronary disease morbidity and mortality; lower triglycerides; and demonstrate antithrombic effects. Promising animal studies now show that omega-3 fatty acid decreases cholesterol delivery to arterial walls due to the triglyceride-clearing effect of this supplement in the blood.[3]

So why do you need a supplement? Well, first of all, our bodies cannot synthesize these long-chain compounds all on its own. We can, however, produce the two essential types, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA, from ingesting the 18-carbon omega-3 fatty acid alpha linolenic acid, otherwise known as flaxseed oil. But this process requires myriad enzymes and processes, such elongations and desaturations, which ends up leaving us deprived of our precious forms of polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Therefore, the best way to accumulate healthy levels of omega-3 fatty acid in our bodies is either by ingesting EPA—and DHA—rich foods, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, or tuna (or other omega-3 enriched products on the markets such as eggs and orange juice) or by taking a supplement.Personally, when I find my diet lacking in fish, I opt for the Whole Foods Brand version of omega-3 supplements. The Whole Foods variety incorporates several critical aspects of omega-3 preparation that are critical in any supplement:

Molecularly Distilled Omega-3 (so your supplements are pure and toxin-free)

Contains both EPA & DHA

Tested to be free of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins, pesticides and heavy metals

Derived from cold water fish oil

Comes in a supplement with Vitamin E to protect from oxidation [Vitamin E is also represented as tocopherol or mixed tocopherols.]

There are no established Percent Daily Values for supplements, but usually you can take up to 3 softgels a day WITH FOOD! Remember to take these with a meal because they may prevent the absorption of dietary fat (or triglycerides) and if you do not, you may get a stomach ache or bloating from this natural oil. Also, I suggest taking omega-3’s that have a pleasant lemon-flavor (as do the ones at Whole Foods) or ones that advertise “no fishy flavor!” Omega-3 can also be represented as fish oil, fish liver oil, or cod liver oil.

Need I say more? Go out and gr

ab yourself some pure disease-prevention in bottle or treat yourself this evening to a tasty filet de poisson!

Learn more on www.cityslim.com

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[1] Sanchez-Villegas A, et al. Long chain omega-3 fatty acids intake, fish consumption and mental disorders in the SUN cohort study. Eur J Nutr. 2007;46:337-346.

[2] Birch EE, Garfield S, Hoffman DR, Uauy R, Birch DG. A randomized controlled trial of early dietary supply of long-chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids and mental development in term infants. Dev Med & Child Neurology. 2000;42:174-181.

[3] Qi K, Seo T, Jiang Z, Carpentier YA, Deckelbaum RJ. Triglycerides in fish oil affect the blood clearance of lipid emulsions containing long—and medium—chain triglycerides in mice. J Nutr. 2006;126(11):2766-72.