Posts Tagged ‘supplements’

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

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/omega-3-and-brain-development-does-it-really-help-1376517.html

4 Good Reasons to Discover DHA Supplements

Before you buy DHA supplements, take a little time to learn about the different ones on the market.  There might be better choices.  It really depends on why you are interested in supplementation.

For the Brain

In studies concerning depression, a combination of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid was shown to be more effective than either of the omega-3s, alone.  In the studies that focused on attention deficit disorders in children, fish oil was given.  Fish oil contains several different omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other fats.  The content varies.  So, it is important to read the label, carefully, before you buy.

DHA supplements derived from marine algae do not have the same complex nature that is found in natural fish oils.  There is reason to believe, as you’ll read about later in this article, that there is more to the health benefits of fish oil than the omega-3 content, alone.

For the Heart

DHA supplements have proven to be more effective in lowering total blood triglycerides and at improving the blood’s HDL (good) cholesterol concentration.  So, for that benefit, any of the supplements on the market will do.  But, in order to see a marked reduction in triglycerides, you would need to take about 3000mg per day.  The average supplement on the market contains only about 200mg.  The better fish oils contain about 280mg.  So, you can see that it is unfeasible to take 3000mg of DHA alone every day.

For the Baby

Pregnant and nursing women need more omega-3s than the average person.  Exactly how much has yet to be firmly established, but some doctors recommend a minimum of 500mg per day.

You would need a good fish oil supplement to get that much in two capsules.  Otherwise, you would need to take more and more might not be a good idea.  The safety of high doses of fish oil or high doses of other DHA supplements has yet to be verified.

For Your Joints

For your joints and for the rest of your body, the main benefit of the supplement is due to the anti-inflammatory activity.  There has been some debate about whether there is any “real” anti-inflammatory activity or if the benefits are due solely to modulating inflammation; preventing it from getting worse, you might say.

A recent study should put the debate to rest.  A regular fish oil supplement was shown to have about half the anti-inflammatory activity of aspirin.

A concentrated supplement was shown to have a little more anti-inflammatory activity, but surprisingly, to researchers, a supplement that contained a combination of the concentrated ester and the natural triglycerides had the most anti-inflammatory activity, even though the omega-3 content was lower.

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/4-good-reasons-to-discover-dha-supplements-1377150.html

How much EPA and DHA should you take to be Healthy?

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you have no heart disease?  You will find the answer to that question and several others in this article.  The information here consists of doctor recommendations and/or the dosages used in clinical trials.

If you don’t have heart disease, cardiovascular specialists recently stated in the Journal of American Cardiology that you should take a minimum of 500mg per day.  When you are comparing supplements, you have to be careful.

The front of the bottle will show the amount of fish oil in each capsule, but the amount of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid, as well as the total omega-3s will be listed in the nutrient facts on the back of the label.  The concentration of omega-3s in a gram of fish oil, the average amount found in most of the supplements on the market, will vary from 40-90%.  The amount of individual omega-3s will vary, as well.

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you have high blood triglycerides and/or imbalanced cholesterol?  In one study, 3600mg of DHA lower blood triglycerides by 26%.  3180mg of EPA lowered them by 21%.  A slight, but significant increase in “good” HDL cholesterol levels was seen in both groups, but was a little higher in the DHA group.

The study was not actually designed to come up with a recommended daily dosage for average individuals, but to see which of the two omega-3s was most effective at lowering blood triglycerides and increasing HDL levels.  Good results have been seen with lower daily doses.

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you have heart disease or have suffered a heart attack?   Recommendations vary from 800-3000mg per day.  No one should take a high dose, unless they are under a physician’s care.

Research has shown that 3000mg of fish oil or three daily capsules is safe.  It also appears to be safe to combine the use of the therapy with the use of aspirin and blood thinners.  But, that approach should only be taken under the direction of a healthcare practitioner.

How much EPA and DHA should you take if you are pregnant or nursing?  The developing brain must have an adequate DHA-intake.  For that reason, many doctors are recommended a daily supplement or 500-1000mg per day.

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-much-epa-and-dha-should-you-take-to-be-healthy-1377154.html

4 Good Reasons to Discover DHA Supplements

Before you buy DHA supplements, take a little time to learn about the different ones on the market.  There might be better choices.  It really depends on why you are interested in supplementation.

For the Brain

In studies concerning depression, a combination of Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid was shown to be more effective than either of the omega-3s, alone.  In the studies that focused on attention deficit disorders in children, fish oil was given.  Fish oil contains several different omega-3 fatty acids, as well as other fats.  The content varies.  So, it is important to read the label, carefully, before you buy.

DHA supplements derived from marine algae do not have the same complex nature that is found in natural fish oils.  There is reason to believe, as you’ll read about later in this article, that there is more to the health benefits of fish oil than the omega-3 content, alone.

For the Heart

DHA supplements have proven to be more effective in lowering total blood triglycerides and at improving the blood’s HDL (good) cholesterol concentration.  So, for that benefit, any of the supplements on the market will do.  But, in order to see a marked reduction in triglycerides, you would need to take about 3000mg per day.  The average supplement on the market contains only about 200mg.  The better fish oils contain about 280mg.  So, you can see that it is unfeasible to take 3000mg of DHA alone every day.

For the Baby

Pregnant and nursing women need more omega-3s than the average person.  Exactly how much has yet to be firmly established, but some doctors recommend a minimum of 500mg per day.

You would need a good fish oil supplement to get that much in two capsules.  Otherwise, you would need to take more and more might not be a good idea.  The safety of high doses of fish oil or high doses of other DHA supplements has yet to be verified.

For Your Joints

For your joints and for the rest of your body, the main benefit of the supplement is due to the anti-inflammatory activity.  There has been some debate about whether there is any “real” anti-inflammatory activity or if the benefits are due solely to modulating inflammation; preventing it from getting worse, you might say.

A recent study should put the debate to rest.  A regular fish oil supplement was shown to have about half the anti-inflammatory activity of aspirin.

A concentrated supplement was shown to have a little more anti-inflammatory activity, but surprisingly, to researchers, a supplement that contained a combination of the concentrated ester and the natural triglycerides had the most anti-inflammatory activity, even though the omega-3 content was lower.

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/4-good-reasons-to-discover-dha-supplements-1377161.html

Acai Berry Weight Loss

Acai Berry weight loss products have become extremely popular the world over in recent times. The Acai Berry grows in the Amazon Rain Forrest where the Brazilians have harvested it for centuries. It is dark purple in colour and is about the size of a small grape. This amazing little fruit contains a huge amount of antioxidants, fibre, amino acids and omega acids. The Acai Berry has been called a super food because it provides a wide and varied spectrum of health benefits.

So how do Acai Berry weight loss products work? Well, the fibre in the fruit helps to move food through your body in a more efficient manner and it also helps to make you feel satisfied, or full, after a meal. Amino acids aid your body in utilising the protein you ingest and protein helps your body to build and maintain muscle mass. If you have healthy muscles this will help you to burn fat more efficiently. The omega acids contained in the Acai berry will help to speed up your metabolism, which in turn will help you to burn fat more quickly than you would normally.

Apart from being a great aid to weight loss, the Acai Berry is known to have many other health benefits. Because of its’ high content of antioxidants it can help your body to combat the growth of cancer cells, promote healthy looking radiant skin, help to increase your energy levels and fight off fatigue as well as being very beneficial for your immune system.

Please visit Acai Berry for natural supplements to help you reach your weight loss goals.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/acai-berry-weight-loss-1372403.html

The Health Benefits of Omega 3 Fish Oils and How To Select The Very Best

The main health benefits of omega 3 are quite well known today, helping you to maintain excellent heart and brain health like no other natural substance can. However, there are many more health benefits to be had from omega 3 and careful selection of the right oil will enable you to reap the maximum rewards.

The health benefits omega 3 provides help to save thousands of lives each year. Studies show how taking a regular supplement can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure level, help you avoid degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s later on, help in the fight against breast and prostate cancer, treat rheumatoid arthritis and improve vision.

A recent study by the US National Eye Institute showed how omega 3 oils can reduce the risk of age related blindness by over 30% and in addition it is fantastic for your skin, helping to reverse the signs of aging and treat acne and psoriasis effectively.

The list just goes on and on and more discoveries are made all the time!

The key to getting these benefits doesn’t lie in eating more fresh fish as they are full of toxins like mercury and lead, but in finding and using a quality distilled fish oil.

Of the two main fatty acids, DHA and EPA, you want to get as much DHA as possible as it provides most of the benefits. Check that you can see the individual DHA/EPA levels and look to get a minimum of 250mg of DHA per fish oil capsule or soft gel.

The process of molecular distillation will ensure you have a safe oil but be aware many companies skip this to save money so check the label or website carefully.

Lastly, the more you pay doesn’t guarantee you a better oil! You can find some of the very best for less than $20 a month and I have seen many oils selling for over twice that with less DHA and that have not been distilled.

To achieve the maximum health benefits omega 3 provides, follow these tips and you can soon look forward to improved health now and into the future too.

If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of omega 3 and 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.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-health-benefits-of-omega-3-fish-oils-and-how-to-select-the-very-best-1373460.html

The Importance of Getting The Right Amount of Omega 3 Fatty Acids DHA and EPA in a Daily Supplement

With over 90% of the population estimated to be deficient in the omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, it is important to get more of these into our diets to help us maintain good health. Here are the facts about them and how they can help.

They are classed as essential because our bodies cannot make them, so they have to come from our diets. The most important one is DHA as it gives us most of the benefits and can easily be converted into EPA if needed by the body.

These omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA can help prevent heart disease, treat rheumatoid arthritis, prevent breast and skin cancer, improve vision and memory and help to heal the skin, reversing the signs of aging.

The US National Eye Institute says that omega 3 reduces the risk of age related blindness by over 30% in a recent study and found that that it helps the eyes by acting as an anti-inflammatory, one of their key features.

It is their anti-inflammatory qualities that help to reduce heart disease and heart attacks as inflammation in the body creeps up on you silently until it’s too late to deal with.

The very best source today is fatty fish, Hoki in particular, as it contains naturally high levels of DHA and low amounts of toxins. However, most fish today can put you at risk of heavy metal poisoning so experts agree that a daily distilled fish oil supplement is the best solution so you can control the quality and amount you get.

Look for high levels of DHA and check that they have been molecularly distilled to remove all the contaminants to ensure pure and safe oil, especially for pregnant mothers and kids.

It is good to get a minimum of 250mg of DHA per supplement to reap the maximum rewards as many contain much less.

If you add a fish oil supplement to your daily routine, you can get the huge benefits of the omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA to help you stay healthy and avoid many of the deadly diseases later on in life.

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.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/the-importance-of-getting-the-right-amount-of-omega-3-fatty-acids-dha-and-epa-in-a-daily-supplement-1373468.html

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.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/fish-oil-and-anxiety-are-they-related-1363608.html

Lets Take A Closer Look At International Fish Oil Standard

In the quest for searching the best quality fish oil products most of us rely on known quality standards. Most popular one is IFOS, International Fish Oil Standard.
But have you ever given it a thought that what exactly is it? Who they are? How to they test? What are the parameters?

With the growing popularity of omega 3 more and more people are demanding these supplements and therefore more and more players are entering the market. With recent scientific studies reporting high contamination levels in sea water and hence in all marine by products it becomes all the more important that there should be one central agency that regulates the standards so that there is not room left for cheap or ineffective products.

IFOS is an international program that tests the omega 3 health supplements for various safety standards as mentioned by World Health Organization and Council for Responsible Nutrition so that these supplements are safe for human consumption.

This standard is different from ISO and Good Manufacturing Practices because both these standards concentrate more on the process where as International Fish Oil Standard focuses on the purity of end product. If a company follows an ISO 9001 process it means that the process to manufacture is well documented and followed every time. They do not deviate from the process but that does not guarantee best quality of the end product. It may be useful to a certain extent but it can no way tell you about the level of toxins present in the end product.

IFOS tests products on four parameters -

Concentration
This is a one to one comparison of level of DHA/EPA present in the product vs. as claimed on the label. If you examine the label of any fish oil you will see that presence of DHA is mentioned like 200mg per 1000mg. These tests make sure that manufacturer is not supplying misleading information to the customer. If the product is IFOS compliant then you can find the true levels mentioned in the product report.

Purity and Safety
This checks for the levels of harmful chemicals like Mercury, PCBs and Furans.According to CRN standards the level of Mercury and PCBs should be 90ppb and 100ppb (ppb = Parts Per Billion) respectively and as per WHO standard Furans should be 2ppt (Parts per Trillion). If you take a look at the safety report of the product you will come that if your product is actually following safety standards or not.

Stability
This tells about the oxidation levels of the fish oil gels. These are core chemistry related details; instead of getting into details let us just keep ourselves limited to understanding that the lower the oxidation the better it is for us.

Presence of Heavy Metals like Lead, Arsenic, Nickel etc.
All these are toxic chemicals that are very very harmful for human beings. If the level of these chemicals should be below the safety limit as suggested by WHO only then the fish oil is considered safe for human consumption.

Companies that produce omega 3 can enroll in this program and get their product tested for purity and freshness. The certificate from International Fish Oil Standard is a clear indication of credibility.

If you are looking for a healthy omega 3 supplement for your family then make sure that the products that you buy follow IFOS or a standard which is stricter than them. You can find all this information on the website of the company.

This is the easiest way to stay away from the cheap products and select the best and effective supplements that give long lasting results to you and your family. If you want to learn more about omega 3 supplements and there benefits; visit my <a target=”_blank” href=”http://omega3brief.com”>website</a> where I have listed them in detail.

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.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/lets-take-a-closer-look-at-international-fish-oil-standard-1363618.html

Omega 3 And Pregnancy – What Is The Right Time To Start?

Are you wondering about the relationship that omega 3 and pregnancy share? And what is the right time for you to start having it? Is it before pregnancy, during pregnancy or after pregnancy?
Answer is – the sooner the better and longer the duration you are on omega 3 the healthier it is for you and for your unborn child.

Dosage of omega3 is similar to any other diet where one should maintain the regularity and never exceed the normal limits. Studies have shown that results are much more positive if it is taken regularly over a long period of time. Of all the forms of omega3, DHA is very useful and plays an important role in functional behavior of many of our body organs.

As soon as you get to know the existence of a new life in you – you can start having DHA. Or I would say even before this. This helps you in conceiving too. Once you have conceived it is very important that you maintain the required levels of omega 3 in your body. Fetus is totally dependent on you for all the required nutrients and needs essential fatty acids for the development of brain, eye and nervous system. This required DHA is passed through the placenta to the fetus.

Many females are advised to take omega 3 in their third trimester, as this is the time when brain of fetus develops the most. It has been observed that premature babies have lower levels of DHA. Since they have not gone full term, they get omega 3 benefits for less duration. This is the reason, that omega 3 supplements should not be confined to just third trimester instead should be taken throughout the pregnancy.

A high quality omega 3 and pregnancy is an indomitable blend. You should continue the dosages of DHA after your delivery too, as it keeps both mother and baby healthy.

For the first few months the infant is totally dependent on mother’s milk, it’s all the more important for you to continue your dose of DHA during this period as well. Clinical studies have proved that breast-fed babies have better IQ advantages over babies fed on infant formula without DHA.  It also helps the child in better eye hand coordination and fewer sleep disorders.  Studies have proved that women who are on rich diet of omega 3 have less chances of breast cancer and post natal depression.

Benefits of DHA do not end here; it does a lot more that what we discussed above to you and your family. Visit my website to know more on the <a target=”_blank” href=”http://omega3brief.com”>omega 3 and pregnancy</a> where I have described an effective DHA supplement that I and my family take daily.

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.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/omega-3-and-pregnancy-what-is-the-right-time-to-start-1363626.html