Consuming fish oil is a good way to keep your body in good health. At first glance, the idea of consuming fish oil may not sound like an appetizing proposition, but it’s not used in cooking like olive oil or canola oil—it’s most often taken in supplement form. This is a fatty oil, though, so you may rightfully be wondering if fish oil is good for you.
The answer is yes, fish oil is good for you! There are many benefits to consuming fish oil supplements. Even though you don’t want to be cooking with it, here are some things fish oil is good for.
Health benefits of fish oil
Fish oil contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. This is an essential component of maintaining good overall health, but it’s something our bodies cannot make on their own, and therefore we must get these fatty acids from the food we eat.
The two prominent omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These are found in plant-based foods like flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and canola oil, but they are found in the highest concentrations in fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel.
These omega-3s are beneficial to brain function, as well as the body’s natural growth and development. They also have powerful anti-inflammatory qualities. To add to this list of health benefits, consider that deficiencies in omega-3s have been linked to health problems like cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis and more.
To avoid deficiencies in this vital fatty acid, many people take fish oil supplements. Taking these supplements on a regular basis can be an easy way to fight inflammation and help boost heart health. It’s so popular, in fact, that Americans spend more than $1 billion per year on fish oil supplements. It can also often be found added to foods like yogurt, milk, cereal, juice and much more.
Heart health
The link between omega-3s and heart health has long been understood as beneficial. It is known to increase the levels of so-called “good cholesterol,” also known as HDL cholesterol. It should be noted, however, that it has not been shown to consistently reduce levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
It can also help prevent plaque from hardening in your arteries, which eases the strain on your heart. Omega-3s also can lower triglycerides by up to 30 percent. They have also been shown to reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, even when taken in small doses. It may also reduce the risk of fatal arrhythmia events, which are abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to a heart attack (though there is no clear evidence that fish oil supplements can directly prevent heart attacks or strokes).
For more information on what fish oil is good for, and to get the finest quality fish oil and other nutritional supplements, visit Bee Hive Natural Foods today to check out our selection. Our team would also be happy to provide recommendations to help ensure you get what you’re looking for!