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

Have you ever wondered how helpful is resveratrol to your health? Everyone seems to agree there are some health benefits but the debate is over how many there are and what are the side effects. Is the tradeoff worth it?

For at least the past decade scientists have been able to extend the lifespan of a variety of life forms including yeast, worms and mice by about 50%. They accomplished this by feeding them a nutritious diet that contained about 30% fewer calories than normal. They used these test subjects because on a molecular level their aging process is similar to humans. These results probably did not surprise anyone including non-scientists. We intrinsically know that a leaner, nutritious diet is good for us; volumes of research studies have confirmed this. What is interesting to researchers is that a group of 7 enzymes called Sirtuins seem to allow cells to survive damage and repair themselves more easily. The reduced calorie intake stimulates these guys into action.

The question here could be: Great but what does that mean?

To humans, who also possess the Sirtuin family, it means that the same group of enzymes helps prevent cancer, lowers the rate of heart disease, and generally slows down the aging process.

At this point you may still be wondering:

How helpful is resveratrol to your health?

Things began to come together in 2006 when experiments were tried with higher mammals and achieved similar results. The one common thread in these studies was, that of all the compounds that were fed to the subjects, the one that stimulated the Sirtuins was resveratrol. It is a substance found in red grape skins and red wine. Even though it was previously known as a powerful disease fighting antioxidant, this new information has really exited researchers and the general public.

Let me tie this together. Resveratrol convinces the Sirtuins that there is a calorie reduction in the diet even if there is not. The Sirtuins respond anyway by helping aging cells rejuvenate themselves. Youthful rejuvenated cells are the best disease fighting mechanism we could hope for.

Caution is warranted.

Jef Boeke, a yeast geneticist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has stated that sirtuins are potent molecules and in over stimulating them, “one would have to be very careful about potential side effects.” Large doses of resveratrol have been linked to joint pain, insomnia and stomach problems.

The answer to the question how helpful is resveratrol to your health is: possibly quite a lot. However, the best way to take practical advantage of the benefits without incurring the side effects is by using it in a multi nutrient supplement. No nutrient works alone.

For 30 years Milton Haslam has been a strong proponent of natural health in all its forms. Milton researches and educates on choosing nutritional supplements and enjoys introducing people to the best natural products he can find. Visit Milton’s website today at http://www.your-daily-supplement.com/
to discover which supplements he recommends after extensive comparisons.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/how-helpful-is-resveratrol-to-your-health-1357050.html