There are some very important discoveries relating to our health that have been made over the last few decades. Arguably the most important is that most of us are deficient in the Omega 3 fats. These are ALA, DHA and EPA. ALA (alpha linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are all beneficial fats known as Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

DHA is generally considered to be the most important of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids. This makes up a large proportion of our brain and is essential to good health. EPA is also very important to good health.

There has been a significant decline over the last hundred years in our intake of seafood and in particular fish. As these are the most important sources of DHA and EPA our intake of these 2 essential omega 3 fats has declined thereby opening us up to to an increased risk of contracting various health problems.

But I also mentioned ALA. What is ALA omega 3 fat and where does it come from? Whereas DHA and EPA come from marine sources ALA comes from plant-based sources. It's not found in fish and therefore eating fish does not increase your intake of ALA.

But many people who are vegetarian are taking vegetarian Omega 3 supplements such as flax seed oil supplements. These do contain ALA but do not contain DHA or EPA. Are they getting all the omega 3 fats they need?

The answer is no because DHA and EPA are much more important to your health than ALA. The benefit of ALA is that the body can convert it into DHA and EPA but it is converted at a very poor rate, and the less healthy amongst us convert it less successfully.

So if it isn't sufficient to take vegetarian Omega 3 supplements why do people take them? Because as vegetarians they cannot take traditional Omega 3 supplements sourced from seafood. And many people taking vegetarian Omega 3 supplements are unaware that they are not providing sufficient levels of the important Omega 3 fats.

Ultimately virtually all of us have low levels of the essential Omega 3 fats DHA and EPA, and that increasing levels of these 2 essential fatty acids is very important. Taking vegetarian Omega 3 supplements does not do this. If you wish to find out more about getting DHA and EPA in your diet visit my Omega 3 website.


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"A huge amount of research demonstrates that, not only are fish oil benefits numerous, many of them are actually very amazing! It seems that new research is being written about everyday, as scientists and doctors learn even more about how and why it is very beneficial. The omega-3 fatty acids that appear in fish oil are "good fats" that are vital to health. They are necessary for human health but our bodies can't make them - you must get them through diet. Here are some proven fish oil benefits that should convince you to eat more oily, wild fish and begin taking a highly refined fish oil supplement in the event you aren't at present! Promotes Heart Health & Prevents Heart Attacks and Stroke Fish oil continues to increase in medical credibility as a significant component to heart health. According to the American Heart Association, fish oil is effective in minimizing the occurrence of heart disease and helps to reduce risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Research studies of heart attack survivors have discovered that daily consumption of omega-3 capsules drastically reduce the risk of dying, subsequent heart attacks and stroke. Omega-3s also reduce blood triglycerides, help correct irregular heart rhythms, and can help prevent and treat atherosclerosis by inhibiting the development of plaque and blood clots, which often clog arteries. Reduces Inflammation/Pain Omega-3s have a highly effective anti-inflammation impact. Research studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3s (and low in the inflammatory omega-6s) may help people with inflammatory conditions -- anything that ends in -itis!. Fish oil also has been utilised to effectively treat back, neck and menstrual pain, enabling study patients to minimize their own consumption of NSAID medication. Promotes Healthy Joints and Minimizes Symptoms of Arthritis The omega-3s in fish oil reduce joint tenderness, pain intensity and morning stiffness produced by rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, several test tube studies have shown that omega-3s actually inhibit the activity of enzymes that destroy cartilage. More than 13 published research trials have shown that fish oils are highly beneficial at treating rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil has helped people with RA to reduce their need for pain medication. Increases Mental Acuity & Long-Term Cognitive Function Are you aware that omega-3s, particularly DHA, are highly concentrated in our brains? They're important for optimal cognitive (mental memory and performance) and behavioral function, as well as proper growth and development. Studies show that omega-3s might help in achieving adequate cognitive functioning and possibly in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia. We also have realized that it is seriously necessary that pregnant women get enough DHA, which is essential to the growing fetus -- in the 3rd trimester of being pregnant, the brain of the fetus grows at a rate of 250,000 new neurons every 60 seconds! Kids are also aided by omega-3 consumption, as many studies have shown that omega-3s improve learning, concentration, vocabulary and reading abilities. Numerous studies have even shown efficacy in treating ADD. Supports Happy Mood & Emotional Well-being In countries where fish makes up a large part of the diet, national rates of depression are lower. So, it's not surprising that studies have shown that fish oil capsules can alleviate the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis. Several clinical trials have shown that those who took omega-3s in addition to prescription anti-depressants had a larger improvement in symptoms than those who only took antidepressants, with patients feeling a stabilizing effect and less mood swings. Research has also demonstrated that, when those in prison were administered omega-3s, there was a marked reduction in aggressive behavior. Omega-3s also seem to lower the risk of postpartum depression. Promotes Vision Health Evidence shows that people with a higher omega-3 intake seem to have a lower risk of Dry-Eye Syndrome and developing macular degeneration. Early studies also show that fish oil supplementation helps in reducing dry eye symptoms, may help to slow macular degeneration for people already developing it and improves eye health in general. Pregnancy, Infancy Eye & Brain Development & Reduced Incidence of Childhood Conditions DHA makes up 15-20% of the cerebral cortex and 30-60% of the retina, so it's absolutely essential for normal growth and development of the fetus and baby. Prenatal DHA availability also appears to reduce likelihood of childhood allergies and have an effect on motor skill quality, cognitive development and behavior/hyperactivity later in the child's life. Omega-3s also help to lower the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Promotes Increased Fat Metabolism and Weight Loss According to the National Institute of Health, omega-3s transmit "I'm full" messages to the brain and aid in inhibiting hunger signals. Research has also demonstrated that fish oil improves the efficacy of exercise in reducing body fat. Study participants who were alloted fish oil with their diet showed greater decreases in weight as compared to those who didn't consume fish oil. Exercise along with fish oil had a positive effect on the body shape and body composition of the volunteers. Lowers Risk of Breast, Prostate & Colorectal Cancer Though additional research in this area is urgently needed, we now know that the omega 3's that appear in fish oil aid in the prevention and treatment of testicular, prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Early trials suggest that consuming fish oil everyday can help inhibit the progression of colon cancer in those with early stages of the disease and may possibly have the ability to cause apoptosis (cell death) in cancerous cells. More could be said about the many fish oil benefits. And, as the science community and doctors continue to study omega-3s, you can bet that fish oil will keep making news as the ideal source of these essential fatty acids that are so vital to our bodies. Even if you're currently in great health, a high quality fish oil supplement is the fastest, safest way to achieve and maintain optimal health!"


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Omega-3 fatty acids may appear like some giant intimidating term scientists discuss, but it's actually really easy. They're nutrients, like carbs and proteins and whatnot. The name Omega-3 comes from the type and shape of the molecules that it's composed of. Like all nutrients, we obtain them from the foods that we eat. Fish is typically where we can get {a great deal|most|much of} our Omega 3 fatty acid needs; or perhaps I should say, where we don't get our needs. See, most people don't eat enough fish to get the necessary Omega 3s. Very often, people usually get their Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil capsules.

I know that most of you might think "fatty acids" and automatically assume that it's detrimental for your health, but that's not true. In the 70s, researchers studying the Intuit people in Greenland discovered that even if they took in significant quantities of fatty acids from the seafood they consumed, they had very minimal rates of heart disease. The US FDA finally recognized the connection between good fatty acids and cardiovascular health back in 2004, giving a "qualified health claim" status to good fatty acids like Omega-3s.

So what makes these Omega-3s so special? Well, Omega-3s are a kind of essential fatty acid, or EFA. EFAs are vital to our bodies to function effectively. That's the reason they're titled "essential" fatty acids and not optional fatty acids. If we don't obtain sufficient EFAs, we run the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and many other chronic conditions. Some research has also demonstrated that a lack of EFAs could lead to depression and weight gain. EFAs also support brain function and development, especially in kids. You know how many people say fish is brain food? They're talking about the essential fatty acids in fish.

There are multiple types of EFAs, though. You have the Omega-3s which you find mostly in fish, and the Omega-6s which are found in vegetable oils. Anti-inflammatory Omega-3s keep the inflammatory Omega-6s balanced. The best ratio is 1:2, but most diets generally lead to a gross imbalance, with a large number of Americans getting a ratio of one Omega-3 to 20 Omega-6s!. This leads to a condition called silent inflammation. There are no symptoms for this until it's too late and various chronic diseases start affecting your body, so it's better to make sure you're getting adequate Omega-3s in your diet. This is where fish oils really make a difference.

There are a few kinds of Omega-3 acids as well. You've got EPA, DHA and ALA. Vegetarians usually prefer ALAs which are prevalent in flaxseed oil. Your body can only use EPA and DHA, and only converts a very small percentage of these ALAs into EPA and DHAs though. Whatever is left over becomes inflammatory. You're much better off with the EPAs and DHAs prevalent from fish oils. You're probably getting more than you need of the inflammatory fatty acids as is.

Like I said before, the majority of people don't consume enough fish to get an adequate quantity of Omega-3s. This is because our diets have become so that we don't really eat much fish anymore. In addition, we're going to need to eat a excessive amount of fish to get the amount of Omega-3s we need. Not to mention the risk of toxins in the fish. With modern pollution, you can't ever be positive. Fish oil supplements are a preferred alternative over eating a boatload of fish. They're easy to purchase, and with today's technological advances, the risk of toxins in fish oils are extremely minimal. That is, provided you buy a high quality brand. It will be pricier than the many generic products available, but you pay a premium for purity.

Consuming an adequate quantity of Omega-3s is very beneficial to our good health. With the availability of quality {fish oil products}, it has never been simpler to get your daily dose of Omega-3s.

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert, with particular expertise with Omega-3 Benefits.

Can Omega 3 Fish Oils Help with Your Allergies?

There is a wide range of benefits of omega 3 essential fatty acids and these are becoming widely known. The 2 most important omega 3 fatty acids are called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and these are found mainly in fish oil. Allergies are also considered to be one of the conditions which may respond positively to an increase in the dietary intake of essential fatty acids known as Omega 3 fats found in fish oil.

Allergies, in many cases, are an inflammatory condition and it is well known that the essential fats known as Omega 3 fatty acids are excellent anti-inflammatories. Asthma and hayfever are fine examples. Asthma for example, manifests itself in a restriction of the airway which is an inflammatory problem. Therefore it would seem that anything that help reduce inflammation would be of benefit.

There seems to be growing evidence of an Omega 3 allergies link. It would seem that there are beneficial effects to allergy sufferers from using omega 3 for allergies.

It is not yet clear which allergies are benefited of the most from increasing Omega 3 fats in the diet and more studies need to be undertaken. But there is now emerging evidence that asthma and hayfever may benefit from Omega 3 supplementation as well as some food allergies.

This is not to say that if you suffer from allergies and cure your condition by taking fish oil supplements. There are excellent diagnoses and treatments for many allergies and these should be pursued as normal. However there is growing evidence that an increase supplementation of the diet with omega 3 fatty acids found primarily in fish oil can be useful as overall part of an allergy strategy.

Fish itself can cause allergies. If you have allergies, including food allergies, it is very important to establish the cause of the allergy before commencing any supplementation.

There is clear evidence that the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids extend to a wide range of health conditions, including some which can potentially cause death. This includes heart attacks and strokes and for this reason the American Heart Association recommends a minimum intake of fish oil for each of us every week. The easiest and most cost-effective way to make this happen through taking top quality Omega 3 fish oil capsules.

It's important that more studies be undertaken to establish the link between fish oil and allergies however it is very clear that using fish oil to health generally is extremely beneficial. If it proves in the future that there is an omega 3 allergies link them this is one more health benefits from Omega 3 essential fatty acid supplementation.

If you have allergies you may well benefit from daily fish oil supplementation as part of an overall allergy strategy. Regardless of this there are powerful health reasons to add daily fish oil capsules to your diet.

Sales of Omega 3 capsules have risen faster than any other form of dietary supplements in history. There is excellent reasons for this. When mainstream organisations such as the American Heart Association tell us to increase our intake of Omega3 fats then we sit up and take notice. Many of us are now supplementing our diets with fish oil capsules every day. This is good given that studies show that over 90 percent of Americans are deficient in Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Allergies may be just one of the many health conditions that respond positively to daily fish oil supplementation. Whether or not your allergies respond positively or not there is clear evidence that a wide range of other health reasons you should be taking fish oil supplements.

Not all Omega 3 supplements are the same however and on my website about the benefits Of fish oil I discuss how to compare the different Omega 3 capsules to discover the best value.

How to prevent breast cancer is on every woman's mind. Breast cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers. There has been millions of dollars spent on research trying to find new ways to treat and cure this cancer. However, the best way to stay safe is to take every step possible to prevent breast cancer.

Studies were published in 1993 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute linking the prevention of breast cancer with omega 3 fatty acids. Additional studies have also indicated a connection between the two. Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally found in fish oil and flax oil. They contribute to heart health and are anti-inflammatory compounds. The anti-inflammatory nature of this compound could be what helps to prevent breast cancer.

Fish and flax seed are where omega 3s usually come from. Most people don't eat enough of these foods, so they have a moderate omega 3 deficiency. You can really hurt some aspects of your health. Because it can cause depression or cardiovascular problems. Plus, it can totally mess with your immune system making you more susceptible to auto-immune issues, diabetes and migraines.

Because of the auto-immune issue, this is where researchers think omega 3s can also contribute to breast cancer prevention. Cancers are caused when cells literally go crazy, and an anti-inflammatory agent could play a huge role in calming down those cells. Cancer could be avoided if the cell doesn't get the chance to actually start dividing uncontrollably.

A daily omega 3 supplement can be good for your overall health and help to prevent cancer. At the very least they are contributing to a variety of facets of their health like heart health and memory function. They are still researching whether the omega 3 supplements can actually help prevent breast cancer, but why not just be prepared?

Every woman is concerned with her ability to prevent breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the biggest killers of women each year. Millions of dollars in research go to trying to find new ways to treat and cure this problem. However, the best route to stay safe is to simply take every step possible to prevent breast cancer.

As early as 1993, studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicated that there might be a link between omega 3 fatty acids and breast cancer prevention. The results aren't conclusive as of yet, but many more studies have come out also indicating this connection. Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally found in fish oil and flax oil. They help the health of your heart and are wonderful anti-inflammatory compounds. The anti-inflammatory compounds are what could possibly be help prevent breast cancer.

Fish and flax seed are where omega 3s usually come from. Most people don't eat enough of these foods, so they have a moderate omega 3 deficiency. You can really hurt some aspects of your health. It can contribute to depression and cardiovascular problems. It can also seriously interfere with your immune system and this can make you more sensitive to auto-immune diseases, some types of diabetes and some types of migraines.

Because of the auto-immune issue, this is where researchers think omega 3s can also contribute to breast cancer prevention. Anti-inflammatory agents can actually calm cells down that have gone “haywire”. Cancer could be avoided if the cell doesn't get the chance to actually start dividing uncontrollably.

Most people trying to prevent cancer will start taking a daily omega 3 supplement. At the least they are really contributing to many facets of their health like heart health and memory functions. They are still researching whether the omega 3 supplements can actually help prevent breast cancer, but why not just be prepared?

How to prevent breast cancer is on every woman's mind. Many women die each year because of breast cancer. Millions of dollars are spent each year on research trying to find new cures. However, the best way to stay safe is to take every step possible to prevent breast cancer.

The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study in the early 1990's linking the prevention of breast cancer with omega 3 fatty acids. While these results are not conclusive, there have been additional studies since then indicating that there could be a connection. Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally found in fish oil and flax oil. They help the health of your heart and are wonderful anti-inflammatory compounds. The anti-inflammatory nature of this compound could be what helps to prevent breast cancer.

These omega 3s in your diet will normally come from fish or flax seeds. If you don't consume very much of these foods then you may have a moderate omega 3 deficiency. Which can be harmful to your health. This can create serious cardiovascular problems or depression. It can also seriously interfere with your immune system and this can make you more sensitive to auto-immune diseases, some types of diabetes and some types of migraines.

The auto-immune issue is where researchers believe that omega 3s could also contribute to breast cancer prevention. Anti-inflammatory agents can actually calm cells down that have gone “haywire”. If the cell is calm and doesn't have the chance to start dividing uncontrollably, then cancer can be completely avoided.

Most people who want to hedge their bets end up taking a daily omega 3 supplement for their general health and to do everything possible to prevent cancer of any type. Memory function and heart health are also helped when taking omega 3s. The jury is still out on whether omega 3 supplements can definitely help prevent breast cancer, but it is certainly wise to be prepared.

An Overlooked Way to Possibly Prevent Breast Cancer

Each and every women is concerned with being able to prevent breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the biggest killers of women each year. Every year there are millions of dollars in research spent trying to find ways to cure breast cancer. Naturally, the best way of staying safe is to try to take every step possible to prevent breast cancer.

As early as 1993, studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicated that there might be a link between omega 3 fatty acids and breast cancer prevention. Additional studies have also indicated a connection between the two. Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally found in fish oil and flax oil. They contribute to heart health and are anti-inflammatory compounds. This anti-inflammatory nature may be where they could help prevent breast cancer.

Omega 3s in your diet generally come from fish or flax seeds. Most people don't eat enough of these foods, so they have a moderate omega 3 deficiency. This can be truly harmful in some aspects of your health. Which can lead to heart problems and depression. Additionally, it can really interfere with your immune system which could cause some serious auto-immune issues.

The auto-immune issue is where researchers believe that omega 3s could also contribute to breast cancer prevention. Since cancers are caused when cells literally go “haywire,” an anti-inflammatory agent could play a role in calming cells down. When calmed down the cells won't start dividing like crazy and the cancer can be avoided.

More people that not end up taking a daily omega 3 supplement for their health, in general, because they want to do everything they can to prevent cancer. So at the very least they give to a variety of aspects of their health, especially heart health and memory function. Its better to be prepared and take omega 3 supplements, while the research is still going on on whether or not it will actually help prevent breast cancer.

Picking the Best Vitamins for Your Health

If you take a vitamin everyday, don't you want to take the best vitamins available? Surely, it does. Nonetheless, so many people either intentionally or mistakenly don't take the best vitamins.

But, of course, you may not be taking a daily vitamin. This article might actually be part of your research. You could be looking to switch your current daily vitamin to the best vitamins possible.

All vitamins are not the same. Daily supplements are not all created equal. This is why it is so important to select a vitamin that fits your needs.

Just because you take a daily vitamin, doesn't mean that you are in the right. Here are a few things to think about to make sure you are getting the best vitamins for you:

Your age should be factored in
There are all sorts of different requirements for different ages. Case in point, up until your mid-twenties your body will produce and absorb more nutrients. The supplement you take will not have to be that serious. However, once you pass 25, your body stops making many of the nutrients that it used to. As you get older, you will need to modify you daily vitamin intake so you can keep functioning at the same level.

Think about other health factors
If you already have certain health problems, too much of certain types of vitamins can really cause a problem. For example, too much vitamin E can cause clotting problems if you already have thin blood. The best route if you have any complicating health issues is to develop a custom vitamin routine.

Think about the time to come
Consider your goals for the year ahead. If you plan on becoming pregnant in the next year, you will want to adjust your vitamins. Some vitamins and supplements like vitamin D and omega 3 can enhance weight loss efforts. Others like vitamin C can help with healing.

Examine your daily vitamin regimen, it should only take a few minutes. Once you start taking the best vitamins for your body, you will notice a major difference in the way you feel.

Psoriasis creams are used to help reduce the inflammation and dry skin that psoriasis causes. Each year psoriasis attacks the skin of thousands of people causing them to have flaky, itchy, scaly skin. There is no currently known cure for psoriasis. However, you can combat the problem with topical treatments.

Sometimes this itchy skin problem appears to diminish. It will then come back with a vengeance. This could entirely be due to seasonal issues. Generally, the problem is less severe during warmer months. But as the weather changes and gets colder your skin can dry out and might crack. When your skin is already being attacked by psoriasis it is inflamed and very itchy.

One of the most effective ways to handle psoriasis is with psoriasis creams. These will always be topical treatments. Usually, they will decrease your symptoms but only if they are used regularly. Their use of oily elements will keep your skin moistened. But most of these creams are totally missing a major component that can and will affect your psoriasis.

The key ingredient is probably going to surprise you. It is fish oil. Omega 3 fatty acids that are contained in fish oil are the real key. These are well known in the cardiovascular arena. Omega 3 fatty acids are also an anti-inflammatory agent. This means that whatever the fatty acids come in contact with they will reduce inflammation. Your immune system will become really efficient when using omega 3.

Omega 3 fatty acids are really crucial to the effectiveness of the psoriasis cream you choose. When you have a psoriasis outbreak, simply apply the topical treatment and the inflammation will relieved almost instantly. Over time, they can help your immune system deal with the disorder more effectively.

Omega 3 fish oils are usually associated with dietary supplements. But, those who suffer from this skin condition should also think of their current treatment. Check your current psoriasis cream to see if it contains the fish oil that you need.

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