10 Uses For Omega-3/Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in both fish and plants but are not produced by the human body. The only way we can get these fatty acids, essential for proper metabolism, is through diet alone, but some people may be put off when it comes to incorporating them into their meal plans on a consistent basis. Enjoying a nice piece of smoked salmon will get you enough Omega-3, but that's an expensive proposition. Flaxseed oil is another option and works well as a salad dressing, but its health benefits are lost in the cooking process. And although dried kelp snacks are low in calories and available with different seasonings, it's still seaweed any way you look at it. Consider adding a dietary supplement to get all the top 10 benefits of this essential nutrient. 

1. The benefits of fish oil were first established by studies done of the Inuit community in Greenland. Researchers were baffled by the Eskimos' high fat diet of seals, sea lions and whale blubber and their corresponding low rate of cardiovascular disease. The good Omega-3 fats in seafood led to a reduction in triglycerides and blood pressure, as well as lowered heart rates.      

2. According to a six-year study done by Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, post-menopausal women who supplemented their diet with fish oil had a 32 percent less chance of developing breast cancer.

3. Danish researchers published findings in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showing that women who supplemented their diet with fish oil had a 32 percent less chance of developing breast cancer. 

4. Women who are trying to conceive should add fish oil to their diets to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, as well as regulate hormone levels.

5. Fish oil contains DHA, a long chain fatty acid vital to neurological development in utero and a factor in the prevention of premature births.

6. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of osteoporosis by increasing bone density in middle-aged and elderly women.7. Another fatty acid in fish oil, EPA, promotes healthy hair and nails, as well as soft skin. 

8. DHA is the most pronounced fat in the brain, and researchers now consider Omega-3 as essential to stave off the effects of Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders.

9. DHA, as a naturally-occurring fatty acid, also shows up in the retina, which has led researchers to suggest that dietary supplementation could prevent eye disease in childhood, as well as the elderly.  

10 One more benefit of Omega-3/fish oil is its anti-inflammatory properties. Keeping your muscles and joints pain-free and functioning, without having to rely on OTC or prescription medications, is an excellent example of why you need this dietary supplement.

To get more Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, consider Nordic Natural's Arctic Omega Softgels, made in a gluten-free formula from anchovies and sardines. Or if you want to mask the fish oil element, try their Arctic Omega Lemon Softgels with natural lemon and rosemary extract. 

Alternative ways of getting the benefits of Omega-3 fish oil into your diet include Pharmax's Omega 3:6:9 that can be used as a salad dressing or cooking oil. For a supplement that the entire family will love, try Barlean's Omega Swirl Fish Oil with Lemon Zest, which can be added to fruit smoothies or juice, or their Strawberry Banana Swirl. The same company also offers their Omega Twin formula, made with both flaxseed and borage oils, as a delicious accompaniment on salads or cottage cheese.