Posts Tagged ‘fats’

The Best Food Sources of Omega 3 Fats and How To Select The Right Ones

There has been so much written recently about the best food sources of omega 3 fats that it can be quite confusing to keep up. Here is a brief guide to the very best ones and the simplest way to include them in your diet.

Omega 3 rich foods that are good are leafy greens like spinach and kale, flaxseed, strawberries, walnut and almonds from vegetable sources. Most good quality meat will contain some omega 3 like beef and chicken.

As you are probably aware, fatty fish like hoki, tuna and salmon are the very best, as they contain high levels of the two most important omega 3 fats – EPA and DHA. The vegetable sources will give you ALA fatty acids which contain nowhere near the amount of health benefits.

There is no disputing the fact that we should all increase our intake of the right omega 3 fats as over 90% of us are lacking in them!

There is also no disputing the incredible health benefits they provide including improved heart and brain health, lower cholesterol, better eyesight and a weapon in the fight against cancer to name a few.

But despite fresh fish being the best food sources of omega 3 fats, they also contain many harmful toxins that cancel out the benefits, leading experts to recommend a daily distilled fish oil supplement as the perfect solution so you can quickly and conveniently receive the full benefits.

I say distilled because the process of molecular distillation will remove all those toxins like mercury, lead, PCB’s and arsenic that are routinely found in fresh fish. Just check the label to see.

High DHA levels are also vital as this fatty acid is largely responsible for most of the health benefits, despite what some companies would have you believe!

I would recommend a minimum of 250mg of DHA per individual capsule, with two a day being the normal dose.

If you want to ensure you are getting all the benefits from these amazing fats, don’t concentrate on food sources of omega 3 fats so much but look to take a daily supplement instead.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.

Discover the best omega-3 fish oil today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the very latest and effective omega-3 fish oil supplements Rich recommends after extensive research.

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Omega3 Sources – Which One Should You Choose For The Best Effects?

There are no two ways about it. Omega 3 fats are very beneficial for our health and help in keeping our heart, brain, eyes and joints in top shape. The important part is to make sure you are using the right omega3 sources – then only will you be able to derive all these health benefits.

Before we talk about the best omega3 sources, it’s important to clarify one point. The best kind of omega3 fats you should be taking are – DHA and EPA. These two fats are specifically the most important ones and are responsible for all the health benefits that are associated with omega3.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the options we have at hand.

There are a number of omega3 sources that you can choose from. There are green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Only thing is, the quantity of DHA and EPA fats in them is very less to really make any difference to your health.

Meat from farm bred animals also contains omega 3 fats. But you may want to skip them too as a source of these nutrients as these animals are artificially fattened up and this reduces the omega3 content in their meat. The amount of DHA and EPA that you get from them per serving wouldn’t be enough.

One option you have is to eat more of fish like Salmon, Mackerel and Trout. These fish naturally contain lots of DHA and EPA and this is the reason most fish oil supplements derive their oil from them. If you are a fish lover, then you may be able to get adequate quantity of omega3 by eating fish as a regular part of your diet. It is more difficult for others who do not like to eat so much fish.

There is a solution for this category of people too. Just take a good fish oil supplement and you can get enough DHA and EPA by taking just a couple of pills a day. Then you are free to eat whatever you like in your regular meals. No forced helpings of fish anymore.

The added advantage is – the oil in these supplements would be highly refined and free from any impurities. This is not so when you are depending on eating fish directly for your omega3 needs. Any contaminants in the fish will make their way into your body too.

Your next step? To take what you’ve learned and choose from the omega3 sources available. Visit my website now, to find out how to make the right decision on this.

Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3 Information.To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com

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Omega3 Sources – Which One Should You Choose For The Best Effects?

There are no two ways about it. Omega 3 fats are very beneficial for our health and help in keeping our heart, brain, eyes and joints in top shape. The important part is to make sure you are using the right omega3 sources – then only will you be able to derive all these health benefits.

Before we talk about the best omega3 sources, it’s important to clarify one point. The best kind of omega3 fats you should be taking are – DHA and EPA. These two fats are specifically the most important ones and are responsible for all the health benefits that are associated with omega3.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the options we have at hand.

There are a number of omega3 sources that you can choose from. There are green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Only thing is, the quantity of DHA and EPA fats in them is very less to really make any difference to your health.

Meat from farm bred animals also contains omega 3 fats. But you may want to skip them too as a source of these nutrients as these animals are artificially fattened up and this reduces the omega3 content in their meat. The amount of DHA and EPA that you get from them per serving wouldn’t be enough.

One option you have is to eat more of fish like Salmon, Mackerel and Trout. These fish naturally contain lots of DHA and EPA and this is the reason most fish oil supplements derive their oil from them. If you are a fish lover, then you may be able to get adequate quantity of omega3 by eating fish as a regular part of your diet. It is more difficult for others who do not like to eat so much fish.

There is a solution for this category of people too. Just take a good fish oil supplement and you can get enough DHA and EPA by taking just a couple of pills a day. Then you are free to eat whatever you like in your regular meals. No forced helpings of fish anymore.

The added advantage is – the oil in these supplements would be highly refined and free from any impurities. This is not so when you are depending on eating fish directly for your omega3 needs. Any contaminants in the fish will make their way into your body too.

Your next step? To take what you’ve learned and choose from the omega3 sources available. Visit my website now, to find out how to make the right decision on this.

Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3 Information.To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/omega3-sources-which-one-should-you-choose-for-the-best-effects-1376505.html

Omega 3 And Brain Development – Does It Really Help?

Omega 3 and Brain
Use it or lose it. This is what experts say about our brain. The more we use it and keep it active, the better it will perform and will remain healthy. But did you know there is something else too that is very effective at ensuring your brain’s health and well being?

Omega 3 and brain health are very closely linked. Numerous studies have proven that increasing the intake of omega 3 fats helps in improving memory and focus, benefits cognitive function and the nerve transmission process.

Omega 3 also helps in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. In children, lower levels of these fats have been linked with a lower IQ, aggression, ADHD and dyslexia.

Increasing omega 3 intake helps increase the serotonin levels in the brain and keeps depression at bay.

In short, taking more of these fats is the best thing you can do to keep your brain running in top form.

Now let’s find out what is the best source of this nutrient.

Flax seed oil is one source of omega 3 fats. It contains ALA fat inside. ALA is internally converted by our body into DHA and EPA fats and then it is able to derive the health benefits from it. This is not an efficient process and only about 5% to 25% fat is able to get converted.

It makes sense then to directly focus our efforts to take DHA and EPA fats through our diet.

Fish like Salmon, Mackerel and Hoki are amongst the best sources of these two fats. In case you’re wondering, the Hoki is a fish found in the pristine waters of the southern coast of New Zealand.

It contains high quantities of DHA and EPA and is free from any contaminants too due to the clean ocean waters there.

One option of taking these fats is to directly eat these fish as a part of your regular diet. This is easier said than done as not only would it quickly become monotonous, but expensive too.

A much easier option to get omega 3 and brain benefits is to take a fish oil supplement derived from these DHA rich fish. In less than the cost of one meal of fish, you can get a month’s supply of the supplement.

Your next step? To take what you’ve learned and get omega 3 and brain benefits from the right fish oil. Visit my website for more information.

Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3 Information.To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com

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Fish Oil And Anxiety – Are They Related?

Simple answer is yes, they are. I am not saying that if you don’t take fish oil and anxiety will attack you. But in most cases the deficiency of Omega 3 fatty acids had been listed as a major cause of anxiety.

Anxiety is nothing but a psychological state of mind in an individual. In this condition mood swings very rapidly without knowing the reason that triggered it. It can originate because of various factors like fear, worry, stress, discomfort, and nervousness. Anxiety can be accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, heart palpitations, trembling, nausea, stomach aches, chest pain, trouble breathing, etc.

Our brain has numerous nerve cell membranes and membrane fluidity. Any change in levels of fluidity can affect our behavior and lead to anxiety or depression. Omega 3 fatty acids boost the healthy formation of these brain cell membranes and help us fight these occasional mood swings and bouts of depression.

It was observed in many researches that people suffering from anxiety have lower levels of DHA and EPA. Both these fatty acids are responsible for uninterrupted blood flow to brain. Lack of either one of them results in usage of some other fatty acids by the brain. Since these replacement fats are not meant for this job, we experience mood fluctuations and anxiety.
Fish oil being rich in both DHA and EPA, is beneficiary for proper functioning of brain, thus resulting in better memory, concentration and low levels of depression.

Fish oil and anxiety are related in a subtle way that if you are having a regular dose of fish oil you will be better able to fight the bouts of anxiety. In a study published in news paper recently, a set of 1000 people were exposed to uncomfortable situations one by one and those who were on a regular dose of fish oil supplements were better in coping up with the situation.

You must be very cautious while selecting your supplements. A bad quality can do more harm than good. Effective fish oil should be pure, have lower levels of toxins like mercury and lead, should not have any rancid odor and should smell like ocean water. Recent study proves that a mixture of oil from tuna and hoki fish doubles the anti-inflammatory properties; thus suppressing the mood swings.

Trust me on this – If you get regular anxiety attacks then consult your physician; start using a high quality fish oil and anxiety will be a thing of past for you. Visit my website to know more on <a target=”_blank” href=”http://omega3brief.com”>omega 3 benefits</a> and how to conclude on effective fish oil supplement.

Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products.Visit his website http://omega3brief.com today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils.

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Discover the Benefits of Fish Oil

Researchers had believed that one of the benefits of fish oil might be a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration, the primary cause of blindness in the elderly.  Because preliminary research looked promising, multiple studies were conducted.  The results of the latest were recently released.

Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce your risk of both the wet and dry types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by as much as 38%.  Improving your nutritional intake in other ways may further reduce your risk.

For example, many researchers have been interested in the benefits of increased intake of lutein and zeaxanthin for the prevention and the treatment of AMD.  Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants found in leafy green vegetables.  The best known sources are kale and collard greens.

Kale is a member of the cabbage family, but it does not form a head.  Collard greens are a member of the same family of vegetables.  It’s a dark leafy green that is particularly popular in the southern US.

Researchers began to look at the benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin, because they are major components of the retina, which is the light gathering mechanism inside of the eye that connects to the optic nerve, which is connected to the brain.  If everything goes well with that connection, we see.  In AMD, the retina and specifically a small area of it called the macular, loses its ability to transmit the signals.

In dry AMD, there are yellow plaques that fog the retina and the macula.  In wet AMD, there is damage to existing blood vessels and growth of new ones.  The new ones are weaker.  So, they burst very easily.  Bleeding behind the retina causes it to detach.  The result can be blindness.

In both types of AMD, the eventual result can be blindness.  Usually, the central vision is lost first.  In almost all cases, some peripheral vision is retained.

Wet AMD is sometimes a complication caused by diabetes, due to the damage that is done to small blood vessels in the disease.  Dry AMD is sometimes hereditary.  Other risk factors include high cholesterol levels, high intake of dietary fats, high blood pressure, obesity, cigarette smoking, oxidative stress and overexposure to sunlight.

There are five primary causes of cellular aging throughout the body.  The first four are glycation, oxidation (free radical damage), inefficient methylation and inflammation.  Those eventually lead to the fifth, which is DNA damage.  Each of those factors are interrelated and related to the risk factors of AMD.

In diabetes, there is glycation and inflammation.  In oxidative stress, cigarette smoking and overexposure to sunlight, there is free radical damage.  High cholesterol, high blood pressure and high intake of dietary fats are often associated with obesity.  In obesity, there is glycation, inflammation and free radical damage.

Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as your intake of fruits and vegetables, including kale and collard greens, while increasing your level of physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can lower your risk of all kinds of age-related diseases.

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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The Positive Connection between Fish Oil and Cholesterol

Face it.  The connection between fish oil and cholesterol in the bloodstream can be complicated and difficult to understand.  The information here should help you understand a little more about the subject.

What is Cholesterol, Anyway?

They are waxy hormones found in the body’s cellular membranes and transported through the bloodstream to areas of need.  It is essential for all life, because it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the cellular membranes and for the absorption of some of the essential vitamins.

It is transported within the bloodstream inside of “lipoproteins”, a combination of fats and proteins.  High blood levels of low and very low density lipoproteins are strongly associated with an increased risk of heart and vascular disease, specifically with atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries.

On the other hand, high levels of high density lipoproteins are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.  So, we have good HDL and bad LDL and VLDL in our bloodstreams.

One of the connections between fish oil and cholesterol balance has to do with the supplement’s ability to increase HDL levels.  HDL can remove cholesterols from the cells and from existing plaques in the arterial walls.  LDL and VLDL, on the other hand, contribute to the formation of those plaques, which are the cause of an age-related heart disease called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

What are Triglycerides?

At the same time that your doctor tests your blood for HLD an LDL particles, normally, you will also be tested for total triglycerides.  Triglycerides are a combination of fatty acids and glycerol.  They are a major component of LDL particles.  High blood triglycerides are believed to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Another connection between fish oil and cholesterol reduction has to do with the supplements ability to lower total blood triglyceride levels.  The question is this.

How much effect does the supplement have and how much do you have to take to see the effect?

Results have varied in clinical trials.  Modest or small to high decreases have been seen.  The reason for the different results has yet to be explained.  There are many possible explanations.  Here’s one of them.

A person that has high triglycerides and low HDL levels, but does not want to take the mainstream medical approach, which includes the use of statin drugs, might do a number of different things to improve their health, while participating in a clinical trial concerning fish oil and cholesterol.

For many years, doctors have recommended lowering one’s intake of total fat and dietary-cholesterol, which is found in a variety of foods.  Adding physical exercise to that approach has proven to be beneficial in recent years.

  1. Learn more about what you can do to lower your triglycerides and reduce your risk of heart disease.

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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How Much Fish Oil Should I take for Heart Health?

Here’s a brief Q&A, starting with; how much fish oil should I take for heart health.  The answer has been difficult to come by, because recommendations vary, but in a recent review, cardiovascular specialists said that a good daily goal is 500mg per day of DHA and EPA combined.  Now, that doesn’t mean that all you need is 500mg of fish oils.

The average dietary supplement contains 1000mg of natural triglycerides, concentrated esters or both.  Of that 1000mg of fat, some is omega-3.  Some is omega-6 and some is omega-9.  The actual breakdown varies.  Although they are not required to, the better manufacturers break down the fat content, so that people can better plan their daily menus.

Heart specialists say that no more than 20-30% of your daily caloric intake should come from fats, of any kind.  There is no doubt that omega-3 fats are the healthiest ones to choose.  Researchers found years ago that native Inuit tribes with high intakes of omega-3s had practically no heart disease.

Actually, if your question is how much fish oil should I take for any health problem, the answer is two to three capsules.  You should take no more than three grams per day, unless your condition is being monitored by a physician.

While the health benefits of supplementation are numerous, there is a possible risk associated with high doses.  That risk is increased bleeding.

In at least one documented case, a woman taking aspirin, warfarin (a blood thinner) and a high daily dosage of omega-3 fatty acids developed a bleed in her brain that was believed to be associated with the drug combination.  All three of those things thin the blood.  That is the main reason they are beneficial.

They prevent clotting in the bloodstream.  Clots cause strokes and heart attacks, but clots form when we are cut or a blood vessel bursts, too.  So, we need some clotting.  Otherwise, we could bleed to death from a minor cut.

So, how much fish oil should I take to prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of heart attack, without chancing the risk of increased bleeding?  Research has shown that 3 grams or 3000mg per day and is not accompanied by any increased bleeding risk.

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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Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health

When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Completely avoiding the intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.

 The Truth about Fish Oil

Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAs.

 Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3

Physicians and scientists agree that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.

 As mentioned earlier, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes, but is not limited to, corn oil and soy oil, both of which contain high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs can be found in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that are known to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study of Greenland Eskimos revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart disease is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).

The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplements have also proven useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

 Making the Heart Healthier

The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and it is essential that we keep our hearts healthy in order to live a long and enjoyable life. And one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil or taking fish oil supplements.

 In Athens, Greece a study was done to determine if there was a direct relationship between a high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure the likelihood of blood vessel inflammation.

Another benefit of fish oil supplements is the lowering of total cholesterol levels. This has been directly documented by the author of this report in his own experience. More and more doctors are beginning to recommend the use of Omega-3 supplements as a stand-alone procedure or in partnership with prescription medications to effectively reduce the total cholesterol level.

 Fish to Become Thin

In Perth, Australia, a study revealed that fish consumption can fight hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.

 Fish Oil to Combat Asthma

Millions of people worldwide suffer from respiratory problems like asthma. These folks should be pleased to learn that research has revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma sufferers. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another. And evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.

 Researchers at the University of Wyoming conducted an experiment in which a number of children were given a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily.

 Consult Your Nutritionist Now

Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist or doctor for the right amount of fish intake for you.

 Disclaimer

While the benefits of fish oil supplements are many and are well documented, this report should in no way be construed as a diagnosis of, or means to cure, any illness or physical condition. It is extremely important, as noted above, that you consult a nutritionist or health care professional before starting any new food supplement. Let it be noted here that the author of this article makes no claims to the benefits of fish oil other than his own personal experience.

Bobby Parrish publishes a blog, Bluff City Press, at http://bluffcitypress.com/blog

He has published several articles on health and fitness, religion, politics and marketing.

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How To Loose Weight Fats – Weight Loss Patch – How To Lose Weight Very Fast

How To Loose Weight Fats

This article discusses the glycemic index and the glycemic load which are both measurements of the amount of sugar in a food and how fast and high it raises the blood glucose level. If you want to lose weight healthy you need to concentrate on eating low glycemic index foods which will not raise your insulin levels very high and will reduce your risk of developing diabetes type II and cardiovascular disease.

Loosing weight does not get any easier than this. Are you tired of all the weight loss options that just don’t work?

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Losing weight is really not that difficult. But why do 87% of people trying to loose weight fail on their purpose? Losing the pounds becomes a daunting hundred thousand mile away goal than seems to be impossible. Nothing is impossible it is just a matter of changing the perspective.

In order to lose weight in a healthy way the proportion nutritive value; calories should be high. This means we need to consume food with high nutritive value and with fewer calories (fruits vegetables and leguminous plants).

Do you want to lose weight? Start the New Year with a new approach to food weight and dieting by making peace with yourself and the food you eat.

Wondering how to lose baby weight? Not every woman who gives birth gains the same amount of weight when pregnant. Many of them seem to go right back to their pre-pregnancy shape and size as soon as the baby arrives while others may be thirty or 40 pounds overweight! Which one are you?

This piece of writing is not for everybody. This article is for people who are not going to shed tears whine and blame but for people who would like to lose weight and who are eager to begin at this moment and do what ever it takes to get there.

What makes you not lose weight? Strange as it sounds the answer is trying many of the diets that are out there. Yes. You heard me correctly. A large number of so-called miracle diets are just there to take your money and leave you in the same out of condition shape you were already in.