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Roshini Anthony discovers that fish oil provides more health benefits than we realise.
Let’s face it: whenever we hear the word ‘fats’, we immediately assume the worst, probably due to the fact that we are constantly drilled on the dangers of a diet high in fat.
But did you know that there are some fats that are not only good, but also essential for our well-being? These are called essential fatty acids (EFAs).
EFAs are polyunsaturated and can be classified into two groups: omega-6 and omega-3.
Scientists believe that an imbalance of these two fatty acids (caused mainly by a low intake of omega-3) leads to health problems like obesity, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
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In plants, omega-3 acids are obtained mainly from flaxseed, and partially from borage (a herb found naturally in Europe) and walnut oil.
We can also obtain these EFAs from fatty fish, where the main omega-3 acids are in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
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Scientists first stumbled upon the benefits of EPA and DHA when they observed that the Eskimos of Greenland were at low risk of heart disease despite a diet rich in fat.
It was then discovered that two of the fats they were consuming were advantageous to health – EPA and DHA.
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In more recent years, it has been suggested that these oils can help prevent other ailments, like depression and cancer although the evidence remains inconclusive.
Their potential use for inflammation, skin diseases and brain development has also been studied.
A study conducted on patients who had previously been under the care of a neurosurgeon found that omega-3 may be an effective alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
These patients were given fish oil in different doses and 60% reported a considerable reduction in overall pain, without any significant side-effects.
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Those suffering from certain skin diseases may also benefit from increasing their intake of fish oil.
Drugs that are normally prescribed for skin conditions can cause serious side-effects, but a group of scientists conducting a trial on patients with severe psoriasis found that fish oil did not have negative effects.
In fact, several patients saw an improvement in their condition and the scientists concluded that fish oil may be a safe and effective therapy for psoriasis in addition to conventional treatment.
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A large portion of the gray matter in the brain consists of DHA.
Research has shown that low amounts of DHA contribute to several neurological problems like dementia, memory loss and depression.
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Appropriate amounts of DHA are especially important for pregnant and lactating mothers as DHA levels in an infant’s brain triple in the first three months of life.
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Other studies have indicated that reduced levels of DHA result in a lower amount of serotonin in the brain.
Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression and suicidal tendencies.
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References:
1) Maroon J., et al. (2006). Fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: An alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain. Journal of Surgical Neurology: 65 (4): 326-31.
2) International Health News. Available at www.yourhealthbase.com.
3) Levine B. (1997). Most frequently asked questions about DHA. Nutrition Today: 32: 248-49.
4) Mayser P., et al. (1998). Omega-3 fatty acid-based lipid infusion in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis: Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: 38: 539-47.
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