Let’s face it.  It seems that everyone is interested in DHA omega-3 fatty acids lately.  There are more fortified foods containing them than ever before.  But, what are the actual benefits and what’s the best way to get them?  Let’s find out.

The benefits of Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA have to do with the essential organs of our bodies; the heart and the brain.  It’s like brain fuel and a heart cleanser.

One of the major components of brain cells is fat.  About 40% of the fat in the brain is Docosahexaenoic acid.  Without it, the brain cannot repair damaged cells, function efficiently or develop normally.  In other words, it is essential.

Until recently, most scientists did not consider it essential, because the body can make some of it, as long as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is present in the diet.  But, there are a number of problems with this conversion process.

Less than 4% of the ALA consumed will be converted to DHA omega-3.  First, it must be converted to Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, then to Docosapentaenoic acid or DPA and finally to the longest chained fatty acid important to human health, Docosahexaenoic acid.

The health benefits that are associated with fish oil supplements are due to the omega-3 content.  Those benefits have not been seen with ALA, even though it has been considered the only “essential” omega-3 fatty acid.

Fish oil is good for the heart and the circulatory system.  It helps to raise blood levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.  It lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of stroke by preventing blood clots from forming in the arteries and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis by preventing fats from sticking to the arterial walls.

It has yet to be determined which component of fish oil is most important.  Although there is reason to believe the benefits are due to the DHA omega-3 content, evidence indicates that there are some “X” factors, too.  That is some component of the natural triglycerides that provide health benefits, including a reduction of inflammation.

Inflammation of the arterial walls is one of the things that cause hardening of the arteries.  In a recent study, it was shown that omega-3 fatty acids prevent inflammatory molecules from passing through the arterial walls.  Other studies have shown that the nutrients stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory compounds and signaling molecules that tell the immune system to stop inflammation.

Make no mistake about it.  All of this talk about inflammation is important, because it is one of the causes of cellular aging, in general.  Some scientists call it chronic.  Others call it silent.  Still others call it systematic.  But, whatever you call it, chronic, silent or systematic inflammation is bad, with a capital “B” and fish oil with DHA omega-3 can keep it under control.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

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What is DHA used for these days?  While the abbreviation could refer to a form of vitamin C, the active ingredient in self-tanning products or a coal tar derivative, it is most commonly used to refer to Docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.  Here’s where you’ll find it and what it’s good for.

The primary dietary source of Docosahexaenoic acid in the human diet is fish and seafood.  At one time, beef, poultry and eggs may have been a source of the nutrient, but as they have been taken off of grass and other greens, fed primarily corn and grain, the foods are no longer sources of the nutrient.  Any omega-3 that they contain is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA.

ALA is an essential fatty acid, but it is not used by the human body “as is”.  It is converted to Eicosapentaenoic acid, which through a series of steps may eventually be converted to Docosahexaenoic acid, but researchers believe that the conversion occurs only under severe circumstances.  They know that only a small amount is converted and that high intakes of ALA do not increase circulating blood levels of Docosahexaenoic acid, which makes it an essential fatty acid, too.

What is DHA used for in the human body?  It is a primary component of brain cells, neurons and the epithelium inside of the eye.  It is believed that regular fish and seafood consumption was what allowed man’s brain to become larger, in the first place.

Low levels of Docosahexaenoic acid are associated with Alzheimer’s and depressive disorders.  Those findings indicate that the nutrient is necessary for the continued health of the brain, not just during early childhood or during fetal development.

What is DHA used for by food manufacturers?  Primarily, it is a food additive.  Until recently, the main use was to fortify infant formulas.  Breast milk is rich in Docosahexaenoic acid.  Cow’s milk and soy, the basis of infant formulas, do not provide the nutrient.

What is DHA used for in the treatment and prevention of diseases?  That is a relatively new field of study, although it began over two decades, ago.  Arthritis, heart disease, and depression are just a few of the conditions that may benefit from  supplementation.

Most cardiologists agree that the primary benefit is in the area of heart disease prevention.  Exactly how much is necessary to provide the benefit is still unclear.  But, most doctors recommend a minimum daily intake of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid combined.

What is DHA used for?  It’s used by the human body to grow and live.  It is a nutrient essential for good health and long life.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-is-dha-used-for-in-supplements-1377164.html

You must have heard about cold pressed enteric omega 3 fish oil supplements several times; it has even become a unique selling point for most brands. But the question is, what does it really mean and how does it benefit you as a consumer?

The truth is that manufacturers are coining out marketing slogans regularly; most of these slogans do not have anything to do with the quality of the product being promoted. That is exactly the case with cold pressed enteric omega 3.

Omega3 is an essential nutrient we all need; our bodies cannot manufacture it, so we get it through diets and supplementation. However, we are encouraged to take supplements because our foods nowadays do not contain most of the nutrients we need.

Fish oil omega3 is better than plant sourced version because fishoil contains DHA and EPA. Plants such as flax contain ALA, which must be turned to dha and epa before your body can make use of it. Sadly enough, such conversions are restricted and inefficient. Hence, Taking fishoil supplements is more beneficial than taking flaxseed oil supplement.

Now back to the issue of cold pressed enteric omega 3; the point is, manufacturers want you to believe that enteric coated supplements are better than those that are not coated. They claim that the coating protects the nutrient from your stomach acid. That is not correct; the stomach acid does not have any harmful effect on omega-3 fatty acid. On the contrary, it is even better for the nutrient to be released in your stomach.

The truth they do not want you to know is that most often than not, they use the coating to mask rancid odor. Fish is easily oxidized leading to rancidity. Rancid oil is very dangerous; it increases free radicals which can cause various diseases and premature aging. Unfortunately, if you buy a cold pressed enteric omega 3 supplement, you will not know whether the oil has gone rancid or not because of the ‘masking’.

So, instead of looking for enteric coated omega 3 fish oil capsule, look for one that is pure and high in DHA. Molecular distillation removes impurities from the oil and high amount of DHA makes the supplement more effective. It is recommended that you buy supplements that contain a minimum of 250mg of dha per 1000mg of fishoil capsule (that should be about double the amount of epa).

Now that you know the truth about cold pressed enteric omega 3, you can make the right choice by buying molecularly distilled fish oil supplement that contains high amount of dha.

Discover the best omega 3 fish oil supplement today

Didi Dyke is a dedicated health researcher and she likes sharing information about her research findings; visit her website for information on omega 3 fish oil supplement she recommends which will help keep your mind and body active and young: http://www.amazing-omega-3.com

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Do you want good fish oils or do you want the best?  There are lots of good brands on the market.  But, if you’re like most people, you probably want the best value that you can get for your money.  In order to get that, you just need to do a little bit of research.

The most important nutritional components of the supplements are the omega-3 fatty acids.  Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid or EPA and DHA are the two omega-3s that we cannot get from other food sources.  Plant foods, such as flax, olives and walnuts, provide only alpha-linolenic acid or ALA.

ALA is said to be the only essential long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acid, because the body can elongate it to form the others.  The problem is that the body doesn’t always make the necessary conversions.  Research has shown that supplementing ALA does not raise circulating blood levels of DHA and low levels are associated with a variety of different conditions, including schizophrenia and depression.

So, we really need DHA in our diets.  Good fish oils will provide some.  The best supplements provide a minimum of 280mg of DHA per 1000mg capsule.  The average adult can take two or three capsules per day, which would bring the DHA intake up to 560mg or more per day.

Some nutrients have tolerable upper limits.  Consuming more than that limit will cause unwanted symptoms.  In some cases, there will be toxicity.

There is no upper limit for omega-3 fatty acids.  There is some concern that taking too much fish oil could cause an increased bleeding risk.  But, no increased bleeding has been seen in people taking up to three grams (3000mg) per day.

There has also been concern for people taking aspirin or blood thinners.  But, a recent study showed that there was no risk among people taking good fish oils, aspirin and a blood thinner.  So, basically, there seems to be no risk, as long as people follow the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations.

There is some risk or potential for exposure to heavy metals and other contaminants.  So, it is important to find out what steps the manufacturer takes to address that risk.  They should have each batch of oil tested for contaminants, before they attempt to sell it.  But, not all manufacturers go to that effort.

If you want the best, not just the average or good fish oils, then you want to look for a manufacturer that tests each batch and makes the results of testing available to you.  Typically, they will post the results on their websites in the form of a certificate of analysis or COA.

A COA from an independent laboratory will also provide information concerning the amount of total omega-3s and individual ones like DHA that are included in each capsule.  In order to get the best value for your money, you want a relatively high concentration of DHA, as mentioned above.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/how-to-find-the-good-fish-oils-1344967.html