Fish Oil – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

07/21/2017 / By Earl Garcia

Fish oil is the fat or oil extracted from oily fish including as salmon, herring and tuna as well as anchovies and mackerel. In some cases, fish oil is extracted from livers of other fishes such as cod. Fish oil is a sought after superfood due to its high omega-3 content. According to an article published on the Authority Nutrition website, fish oil is among the most consumed dietary supplements.

List of known nutrients

Fish oil contains essential vitamins and fatty acids that largely contribute to its beneficial effects on the body. An entry posted on NutritionValue.org lists all the important nutrients found in fish oil, which include:

Docosanoic Acid
Eicosatetraenoic Acid
Eicosenoic Acid
Hexadecenoic Acid
Octadecadienoic Acid
Octadecanoic Acid
Octadecenoic Acid
Tetradecanoic Acid
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Total Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D

Medicinal uses for fish oil

Fish oil is widely used for its beneficial effects on the heart. The superfood is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce the odds of developing heart diseases and heart arrhythmia. The omega-3 in fish oil is also known to lower bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol rates in the body. Aside from this, fish oil is touted to inhibit triglyceride accumulation and mitigate the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Additionally, fish oil is found to promote blood flow and improve the body’s overall blood circulation.

Fish oil is also notably effective in maintaining a healthy brain and nervous system. The superfood is known to alleviate depression, sadness, anxiety, and restlessness. Likewise, fish oil is found to relieve mental fatigue, stress, and decreased sexual desire as well as suicidal tendencies and other nervous disorders. Aside from this, fish oil is touted to boost memory and address mental and behavioral conditions such as psychosis and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, previous studies show that the omega-3 in fish oil helps mitigate the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, fish oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that stave off gastrointestinal disorders, Celiac disease, short bowel syndrome. Fish oil is also found to address inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Aside from this, fish oil is remarkably effective in alleviating bone and joint conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, and Raynaud’s symptoms.

Moreover, fish oil is highly effective in reducing triglyceride rates in diabetes patients. On the other hand, the superfood is known to mitigate the risk of developing cancer. In fact, a previous study shows that consuming fish oil may lower the risk of prostate cancer between 43 to 71 percent. Likewise, fish oil is found to induce healthy weight loss in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Furthermore, fish oil is found to effectively bolster the body’s immunity and stave off diseases such as colds, coughs, and the flu. Fish oil is also highly valued for its beneficial effects on pregnant women and their unborn children. Additionally, previous studies indicate that fish oil may help address acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Body systems supported by fish oil

Fish oil is best known for its beneficial effects on the heart and circulatory system. Likewise, fish oil benefits the digestive, skeletal, nervous and immune systems. In addition, fish oil supports both the male and female reproductive systems.

Ways to use fish oil

Fish oil is primarily used in various fish recipes, especially in curries. Likewise, fish oil can be incorporated into other dishes such as fried, grilled or steamed fish. Online recipe generator Food.NDTV.com has curated interesting fish oil recipes.