The Top 9 Benefits Of Fish Oil Proven By Trials

By Brittany M. Wallace

A great deal of research demonstrates that, not only are the benefits of fish oil numerous, some of them are actually quite extraordinary! It seems like new research is being written about all the time, as researchers and physicians learn even more about how and why it is so good for health. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are "good fats" that are necessary for well-being. They are essential for human health but the body can't produce them - you must get them from your diet. Here are some proven fish oil health benefits that should convince you to eat more oil rich, wild-caught fish and start taking a quality fish oil supplement if you're not already!

Promotes Cardiovascular Health & Prevents Heart Attacks and Stroke

Fish oil continues to grow in scientific reputation as a significant promoter of heart health. According to statements from the American Heart Association, fish oil is effective in lessening the occurrence of heart disease and aids in reducing risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Research trials of heart attack survivors have discovered that daily consumption of omega-3 supplements drastically minimize the risk of death, additional heart attacks and stroke. Omega-3s also lower blood triglycerides, help correct irregular heart rhythms, and can help avoid and treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting the formation of plaque and blood clots, which typically clog arteries.

Reduces Pain & Inflammation

Omega-3s have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Clinical trials show that diets high in omega-3s (and low in the pro-inflammatory omega-6s) may help people with inflammation-based disorders -- anything ending with -itis!. Omega-3s have also been used to successfully treat back, neck and menstrual pain, enabling study participants to reduce their consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

Promotes Healthy Joints and Minimizes Arthritis Symptoms

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil reduce tenderness in joints, pain intensity and morning stiffness produced by rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, quite a few lab studies have found that omega-3s actually inhibit the activity of enzymes that destroy cartilage. More than 13 published clinical trials have demonstrated that fish oil supplements are extremely effective at treating rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil has helped those with RA to reduce their dependence on pain killers.

Supports Mental Focus & Long-Term Cognitive Functioning

Did you know that omega-3s, especially DHA, are highly prevalent in the brain? They're essential for optimal cognitive (brain memorization and performance) and behavioral function, as well as proper growth and development. Trials demonstrate that omega-3s may aid in maintaining proper cognitive functioning and possibly in avoiding or holding off the onset of Alzheimer's disease. We also have learned that it's very important that pregnant women get enough DHA, because it's essential to the developing fetus -- in the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetus' brain grows at a rate of 250,000 new neurons every minute! Kids are also aided by fish oil consumption, as myriad studies have shown that omega-3s increase learning, concentration, vocabulary and reading skills. Numerous studies have also shown benefits in treating ADD.

Produces Positive Mood & Emotional Well-being

In nations where fish is a significant part of the diet, nationwide rates of depression are lower. So, it's not surprising that studies have shown that fish oil capsules can mitigate the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis. Several studies have found that those that took omega-3s in addition to prescription anti-depressants had a greater improvement in symptoms than those that only took antidepressants, with patients experiencing a stabilizing effect and less mood swings. Trials have also shown that, when those in prison were given omega-3s, there was a significant drop in violent behavior. Omega-3s also seem to lower the risk of postnatal depression.

Promotes Eye Wellness

Evidence shows that people with a greater fish oil intake seem to have a lower risk of Dry-Eye Syndrome and developing age-related macular degeneration. Preliminary research also shows that omega-3 supplementation helps in lessening dry eye symptoms, may help to slow macular degeneration for those already developing it and improves eye health in general.

Pregnancy, Infancy Brain/Eye Development & Reduced Occurrence of Childhood Conditions

DHA makes up 15-20% of our cerebral cortex and approximately 30-60% of the retina, so it is absolutely essential for normal development of the fetus and baby. Prenatal DHA availability also seems to lessen likelihood of childhood allergies and have an effect on motor skill quality, cognitive development and behavior/hyperactivity later in the child's life. Omega-3s also assist in lowering the chances of low birth weight and premature birth.

Enhances Metabolism of Fat and Weight Loss

According to the National Institute of Health, omega-3s transmit "I'm full" messages to the brain and aid in inhibiting hunger signals. Research has also shown that fish oil improves the efficacy of exercise in reducing weight. Study participants who were given fish oil with their diet showed greater weight loss as contrasted with people who didn't consume fish oil. Exercise combined with fish oil had a positive effect on the body shape and body composition of the participants.

Decreases Chance of Colorectal, Breast & Prostate Cancers

Though additional research in this area is certainly needed, we now know that the omega 3's found in fish oil assist in the prevention and treatment of breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. Early studies suggest that consuming fish oil everyday can help retard the progression of colon cancer in those with early stages of the disease and may possibly have the capacity to induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells.

Much more could be said about the many fish oil benefits. And, as the science community and doctors continue to research omega-3s, you can be certain that fish oil will keep producing news as the ideal source of these essential fatty acids that are so essential to our bodies. Even if you're currently in great physical condition, a quality fish oil supplement is the simplest, safest way to realize and maintain optimal health! - 32389

About the Author:

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert who has been studying the benefits of fish oil for nearly 10 years. You can learn all about the benefits of fish oil by visiting her site.

Keeping Bad Cholesterol In Check

By Ned Dagostino

It is common knowledge that high cholesterol levels in the blood can cause a number of health problems, some of a very serious nature. It is in your own interest to reduce the level of blood cholesterol.

There is good cholesterol and there is bad cholesterol. The good cholesterol is called HDL and is required for healthy tissue growth and general health. The bad cholesterol is called LDL and accelerates tissue degeneration, leading to general poor health and some specifically dangerous conditions. The body itself regulates the level of both these types of cholesterol in the blood. You can unknowingly work against the body in this critical function and fall into the clutches of various real dangerous illnesses, or you can choose to act wisely and help the body to regulate these substances so that you are healthy naturally.

Is a high level of cholesterol a disease in itself? No, it is not. A high level of bad cholesterol in the blood causes tissue degeneration and accumulation of fatty substances in the body. The arteries are most prone to the effect of high cholesterol levels. They become hard, and they get coated with a fatty substance from inside. This constricts the flow of blood in the body, which in turn, leads to high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. If you are a patient of any of these diseases then you should learn how to cut down the level of bad cholesterol. It's easy, as easy as 1, 2, 3! Read on and you'll see how.

The body regulates the level of cholesterol in the blood. As long as this regulation proceeds as required, there is no problem. There are times when this regulation fails. There are two common situations which lead to such failure. One is when we overdose the body with bad cholesterol. How? By eating of course! Oils, fats, animal produce, and some substances like sodium lead to a build up of bad cholesterol in the blood. Keep these villains off your diet and the bad cholesterol will drop back to normal level.

A sedentary lifestyle is equally bad news. Inactivity makes the circulatory system sluggish, and the evacuation of LDL is impaired. So the LDL accumulates to dangerous levels. The American Heart Association has advised a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise every day to keep heart disease at bay. You are free to do it in one spell or to spread it over two, three or more spells. Be regular in exercising. Thirty minutes every day means thirty minutes every day, come rain or shine! Maintain a comfortable exercise regimen. Don't get carried away and strain yourself. Jogging, going for long walks, cycling, and swimming are favored exercises. Make exercise a part of your schedule. Be moderate, be comfortable, be sensible!

Apart from dietary intake and a sedentary lifestyle, some lifestyle activities can be harmful for you as far as high LDL is concerned. If you smoke, then you'll do yourself a load of good by stopping that habit. Even secondary smoke is harmful, so avoid places where there's a lot of cigarette smoke.

There is another factor which can cause high levels of bad cholesterol. The problem is that the body's regulatory mechanism is not working properly. This is usually a genetic problem and it could be hereditary. The only way out of this situation is medication. Your doctor will do the needful.

Excessive levels of LDL in the bloodstream can have dire consequences on your health, your lifestyle, and your longevity. Before you are forced to make drastic changes in your lifestyle by your doctor, it is better that you prevent the situation from getting out of hand while you can do so at your convenience. You may have to alter or moderate your lifestyle a bit now. Make exercise a part of your schedule. Go easy on fats and animal produce. Don't smoke. Choose good health over bad health - keep those LDL levels in check! - 32389

About the Author:

Owning a cholesterol monitor can save you money by reducing visits to the physician for a cholesterol test. To learn additional techniques to reduce cholesterol visit www.reduce-high-cholesterol.com.

5 Tips to Augment General Health and Lower Triglycerides

By Grace Isabel

Meaning of triglycerides

Triglycerides are a form of fat that the body creates from excessive calories, alcohol and sugar. Your body naturally utilizes triglycerides for energy.

High triglycerides could amplify your chances of getting coronary diseases and may be a forewarning of metabolic syndrome. Even though a small measure can be good for your health.

A combination of high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, too much fat around the waist, low HDL the good cholesterol, and high triglycerides, metabolic syndrome raises your likelihood for cardiac disease, diabetes, and stroke.

What are the determinants of elevated triglycerides?

A few instances of what causes triglycerides are:

* Overweight.

* Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

* Hypothyroidism or non-active thyroid.

* Kidney disorders.

* Not enough physical activity and eating too much.

* Elevated alcohol consumption.

A few medications may cause triglycerides to rise. They are:

* Beta-blockers.

* Birth control.

* Steroids.

* Tamoxifen.

* Estrogen.

* Diuretics.

In some cases, increased triglycerides also could be hereditary.

Counteracting triglyceride levels:

Simply follow these five painless methods of lowering the levels of your triglycerides and enjoy improved health.

Get your body moving! Because elevated levels of triglycerides mean increased quantities of fats stored in the system, you have to take advantage of the potential energy by taking an interest in indoor and outdoor activities.

It is not necessary for your workout to be strenuous either. Should you run errands within walking distance, you definitely must refrain from driving a car. Carrying out your everyday routines, for instance, household chores, will also torch calories and decrease overall triglyceride levels.

Frequently pick smart foods to eat because research has shown that the wrong food would raise levels of triglycerides. If you change from vegetable oil to canola oil, you could greatly improve the quality of your diet.

If you want to limit your food consumption, cooking your own meals and not dining out is a smart idea. Selecting foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed or salmon, would greatly improve ones health. When cooking meals, add more veggies and fruits and lean proteins.

Be sure to drink plenty of water. You may avoid overeating by filling your stomach with water. Health care professionals advocate consuming 64 to 80 ounces of water per day to flush your system and heighten feelings of fullness.

Another way to reduce triglycerides is by loading up on vitamin B3. There are studies which show that niacin or vitamin B3 are very effective in helping lower your triglyceride levels. You can add Vitamin B3 in your daily diet by consuming meals that include mushrooms, eggs, nuts, milk and chicken.

Many nutritionist and dieticians suggest eating smaller meals throughout your day. It is important to eat a healthy breakfast to avoid going empty and over-eating later.

Listen to your body when it comes to your health. Your body would indicate to you when it is hungry and when you need to stop. Do your best to eat right, and do not judge yourself too harshly should you indulge in junk foods.

It is vital that you make healthy food choices and abstaining from foods that are high in sweets, as well as foods that are fried, processed and refined carbs.

All of these are effective solutions to lower triglycerides. Since these are reasonable and easy to do, you definitely would not have any problems enhancing the health of your body. - 32389

About the Author:

Rochester NY Health and Fitness Center, Certified Personal Trainers of Rochester NY and Athletic Clubs Rochester NY provide members quality service in fitness.

Bad Cholesterol - Facts

By Robbert Williams

People have such bad opinion about Cholesterol that it becomes very surprising that the human body actually requires it. Two different types of cholesterol are available in the human body which is known as HDL cholesterol or good cholesterol and LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. The human body requires cholesterol to generate the necessary vitamin D, bile salts and hormones.

The bad cholesterol on the other hand can cause you lots of problems. The main worry with LDL cholesterol is that it will dump cholesterol onto artery walls that will create plaque. The plague in turn will narrow and block the arteries. This may cause blood flow to be blocked, which is bad news for your heart.

The cause of cholesterol

There are a lot of confusing terms being thrown around when it comes to cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol is one of those terms. You might think that all dietary cholesterol is bad, but in fact dietary cholesterol does not raise blood cholesterol as much as you might think. The two bad guys here are trans fatty acids and saturated fats.

Therefore the best way to tackle the cholesterol problem is to cut down the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol. The most effective way the world over is the diet. You will have to make certain dietary changes in your daily routine. More to the point, as you cut down on food that are bad for cholesterol such as eggs, meat, and seafood, you can also fill up yourself with food that are LDL cholesterol friendly.

Packaged foods usually have Trans fatty acids. The main culprits are popcorn that is microwave, margarine hard sticks and French fries from some fast foods. By cutting down these foods or taking alternative substitutes that are better for the health one can cut down on the Trans fatty acids which contributes to the cholesterol that is bad for health.

How good are good fats

You can increase the amount of good cholesterol in your body while reducing the bad cholesterol. This is because the presence of good cholesterol in your body means that excess cholesterol will be taken back to the liver to be excreted out of your body. This means you want plenty of good cholesterol as high levels of good cholesterol means a reduced risk of heart disease.

One more way of reducing bad cholesterol is to consume food which have abundant source of soluble fiber and polyunsaturated fats as well as monounsaturated fats. The good cholesterol will definitely increase with this change in eating habits.

One can also do a lot of physical activities to bring a reduction in the cholesterol levels. It is also good to limit the intake of alcohol to two glasses a day in case of men and one glass in case of women. - 32389

About the Author:

Know your exact cholesterol levels and general cholesterol information. This is will help you to keep your body healthy consiciously.

Eating High Cholesterol Foods And Staying Healthy Too!

By Ned Dagostino

Look around you at the food you eat. Most of that everyday fare is actually taking you to the brink of some real serious heart problems! The culprit is the high level of cholesterol in almost everything you consume. Understanding the cholesterol mechanism is of utmost importance to make an intelligent selection of the foods to include in your diet, and ultimately on the quality of your life.

Medical research shows that high cholesterol food is the main cause of morbid cardio-vascular conditions resulting in strokes and heart attacks. The patient's health is aggravated further if the morbid cardio-vascular condition is accompanied by hypertension, smoking, obesity, and hereditary factors.

Cholesterol comes in two flavors: good (HDL) and bad (LDL). As the names imply, good cholesterol is good for us, bad cholesterol is bad for us. The body requires some triglycerides, but too much is bad. Saturated fats are a form of triglycerides which is really bad news for the heart. On the other hand, Omega-3 fats famously found in fish, is good at controlling the other bad triglycerides and cholesterol. So we should avoid the bad and accept the good. It's a simple principle which applies to everything. If only we can live this principle!

The food containing cholesterol is not always to blame for cholesterol related problems. The way the food is cooked, the medium used to cook the food, and even the foods eaten along with basic food are all contributory factors to high levels of bad cholesterol. Ignorance of the facts about cholesterol and how they affect our health has often led to ridiculous situations about certain foods. Once upon a time eggs were a considered a must-have food for proper health; then it was discovered that eggs were rich in bad cholesterol, and thenceforth eggs were banished from the breakfast, lunch and dinner tables. Now we are advised to have the whites of the eggs but to stay away from the yolks!

These swings in favor of or against cholesterol-containing foods confuse the man on the street. Eggs are not the main culprit in raising the level of bad cholesterol. The thing to avoid is not eggs by themselves, but to say no to the large helpings of bacon, cheese and sausages on the side. Paying attention to the way in which your food is cooked will pay off more than simply concentrating on including this and excluding that food from your diet.

The way the food is cooked is just as much to blame for high cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Even foods innocent of any trace of cholesterol, can be transformed into real dangerous dishes. If the food is fried in oil or margarine then the goodness of the food is overpowered by the saturated fats present in the cooking medium. Red meats, poultry products, and dairy products contain high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. So it's best to stay away from fried stuff and animal products.

Saturated fats are a deadly ingredient in your diet, making the liver increase production of LDL and triglycerides which leads to artery blockage and strokes.

There is no sense in banning specific food items from your diet. It makes more practical sense to maintain a moderate approach. Have everything, but in moderation. Keep a strict vigil on what you eat and how it is cooked. A fresh potato salad is good but French fries is not! Choose to grill your food rather than fry it. Have plenty of fresh vegetables. These very ordinary precautions will help to keep your heart beating perfectly for many, many years! - 32389

About the Author:

To find out additional information about eating low cholesterol food go to www.reduce-high-cholesterol.com, a popular website designed to help people eat a heart healthy diet. Also find out how a cholesterol monitor can help you maintain your levels where they need to be.

Looking for High Cholesterol Natural Remedies? Here Are 3 to Get You Started

By Joe Dungait

High cholesterol natural remedies are becoming more and more popular as people look to get their cholesterol levels under control without having to resort to medications such as statins. And ultimately this is probably wise because at the end of the day it is known that statins have some pretty nasty side effects which ultimately can be as bad for your health as having high cholesterol levels in the first place. There are many different high cholesterol natural remedies for you to choose from however here are three to get you started and hopefully bring your bad cholesterol down and get your good cholesterol up.

1.Garlic - Over the years the praises of garlic have been sung by many holistic practitioners. Garlic has many health boosting properties, and one of them is that it is able to help your body control cholesterol levels. This is down to a compound that contains which is allicin. However if you are like a lot of people who are reluctant to eat garlic because of the smell that it leaves on the breath, then help is at hand because it is now widely available in the form of supplement.

2.Artichoke - Artichoke leaves contain a property known as cynarin, and this too is known to be very effective at reducing cholesterol levels. The best way to get this is again in supplement form, and you can buy artichoke leaf extract tablets from most good health food stores.

3.Naturally Blended Supplements-- As well as the above two supplements that we have already mentioned, there are other supplements that contain a natural blend of several ingredients which have been proven to be beneficial in lowering bad cholesterol levels and raising good. There are several on the marketplace, but ideally the one that you choose should contain amongst others the ingredients policosanol, theaflavins, lecithin, phytosterols, rice bran oil and finally D-limonene. The reason for the six is because tests have proven that they are the most effective in controlling cholesterol levels.

Ideally when looking for high cholesterol natural remedies, what you are looking for is to raise good cholesterol and lower the bad cholesterol and each of these will help you achieve that. Ultimately though, any of them have to be about alternative than going on lifetime medications such as statins and all of the health concerns that they can bring. - 32389

About the Author:

If you would like to find out more about high cholesterol natural remedies, and more about a cholesterol controlling supplement that actually works, then please visit my website where I explain more about this in detail. You can find the site at http://www.clobbercholesterol.com

Foods To Lower Cholesterol -- What You Should Be Eating

By Joe Dungait

If you are looking for specific foods to lower cholesterol then there are some available, however before we get into those you have to bear in mind that they are not in fact the highest determining factor to how much cholesterol body produces. Ultimately the amount of cholesterol in your body is going to come down to how much is produced by your liver. Despite that, there are certain foods to lower cholesterol and even if it is just a small amount it all helps. So let's take a look at some of those foods.

One of the first food groups to be included is oily fish such as salmon and tuna. The reason for including these kind of fish is because the omega3 in them contains essential fats that not only raise good cholesterol and reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood but also help to reduce triglyceride levels too, all of which are important in helping to reduce the likelihood of heart disease, which is a byproduct of high cholesterol levels.

Another important food group to include is vegetables. The reason for this is because vegetables more often than not contain sterols, and the sterols are very similar in structure to cholesterol. Because of this, what happens in the gut is that they compete with the cholesterol for absorption into the gastrointestinal tract, and they are chosen ahead of the cholesterol molecules. Another reason for the vegetables being so good for you is because of the fiber they contain, which assists by stimulating the liver to absorb more cholesterol from the blood for reprocessing.

Lastly, a group of foods to lower cholesterol that is very efficient is oats. Oats are so efficient at helping control cholesterol levels because they reduce the LDL and raise HDL cholesterols. They do this because they contain soluble fiber. And adding oats to your diet is probably the easiest food group to include because they make a tasty nutritious breakfast.

In addition to the above, you can also get foods to lower cholesterol in supplement form. For instance, garlic and artichoke leaf extract are foods known to be effective at controlling cholesterol levels and are widely available from health food shops in the forms of supplements. In addition to them you can also get natural blended supplements, which are a group of different ingredients all with properties known to help combat cholesterol levels that are being taken together and blended to form one single supplement. Some of these natural blended tablets can actually be as powerful as statins but without worrying side effects that statins have. - 32389

About the Author:

If you would like to learn find out foods to lower cholesterol, and also find out natural blended supplements then please visit my website where I discuss this in more detail. You can find the site http://www.clobbercholesterol.com