I am sure you have heard it before, and probably over and over, but I am going to tell you again. The studies that continue to show the possible benefits of fish oil are just too great to ignore.
Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. We must consume fatty acids from food as our body does not produce it on its own. There are other foods that contain the beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids but fish is definitely the best source. Almost all fish is good for you because it is an excellent source of protein and contains important vitamins and minerals. Some fish are better than others though, especially when it comes to the Omega-3’s. The best fish choices for Omega-3’s are the fattier ones like salmon, herring, turbot, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. Good choices also include sea bass, snapper, rainbow trout, shrimp, scallops, clams and lobster.
The possible benefits of fish oil are becoming almost too numerous to list. It seems like every day I read about a new study that shows new evidence of the possible benefits. Some of them, but definitely not all, include:
· reduces risk of heart disease, cardiac death, stroke and some cancers
· aids in treatment of Crohn’s disease, some cancers, lupus, kidney disorders, arthritis, psoriasis, and eczema
· promotes healthy eye and brain function and aids in treatment of mental disease and disorders like Alzheimer’s, ADHD and depression.
To benefit from eating fish, it is recommended that you eat 2-3 servings of fish per week. In case you just can’t do that, there are other foods that contain Omega 3’s. Walnuts, flaxseeds, canola oil, and tofu are some good options. There are also eggs that are now produced by chickens fed flaxseeds that contain a higher amount of the essential fatty acids than a regular egg. And even though the best way to get any type of nutrient is by eating whole foods, there are supplements – so many now, I can’t even count. So if you absolutely cannot stomach fish (I do recommend you keep trying), or don’t want to because you are a vegetarian (if that is the case I will leave you alone!), you still have a chance at getting your beneficial Omega-3’s.
I have included two tables for your viewing. One compares Omega-3’s in fish and the other compares Omega-3’s in plant sources.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/78/3/640S/T1
http://www.originalfishcompany.com/pdf/nutrition.pdf