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.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/why-you-need-dha-omega-3-fatty-acids-in-your-diet-1422081.html

Let’s face it.  The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids have been widely talked about, but some people still ask the question, what does fish oil do?  It really surprises me sometimes how little some of us know about the preventative effect that high doses of omega-3 DHA and EPA fatty acids have on the body.  More and more evidence of the positive power of fish oil has been coming out since the 1970’s.

It was then when it was decided that someone should investigate how it was that Eskimos and Inuits had such a low incidence of cardiovascular disease, despite the fact that their daily dietary fat intake was many times what is considered healthy.  It turns out that the key to their good health is how high a percentage of their daily dietary fat intake is made up of DHA and EPA omega fatty acids.

The answer to what does fish oil do to promote cardiovascular health is that these compounds, and this is especially true of DHA, lower your triglyceride levels, lower blood pressure, reduce your heart rate, prevent arrhythmia, stimulate blood flow, and prevent platelets from sticking together and causing clots.  Omega-3 fatty acids also prevent hardening of the arteries.

It has been evaluated that diets emphasizing traditional native foods were associated with a far healthier fatty acid profile than diets emphasizing Western foods.  The sad thing is that as the Inuits and Yupik people become further influenced by the practices of the West their health has been shown to be beginning to decline.  It is believed that starch and simple sugars may be contributing to the higher incidence of obesity and disease.

So, what does fish oil do for you other than provide you with a healthier cardiovascular system?  DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids are involved in the cognitive development and maintenance of healthy cognitive function also.  They have been proven to have a positive effect on mood disorders such as depression, hostility, and aggression, and have even been shown to have benefits when it comes to treating schizophrenia.

Omega-3 fatty acids have also been found to have a preventative effect so far as Alzheimer’s disease.  It has been discovered that one of the precursors of the development of Alzheimer’s is the formation of amyloid plaques in the frontal cortex of the brain.  It has been scientifically proven that high levels of DHA in the system prevent these amyloid plaque deposits from forming.

Now that you have the answer to what does fish oil do, you have to make that you are getting it into system.  The safest way to do this is through taking a prepared dietary fish oil supplement, rather than trying to eat more fish.  There are often high levels of toxic contamination in fish, which you will not find in a molecularly distilled omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

What does fish oil do?  It guarantees that you will have far better health than you would have without it.  Omega-3 fatty acids simply do amazing things for your body.

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-does-fish-oil-do-really-1370256.html