Women’s Health::Can Omega3 Fish Oil Boost Women’s Health?

Omega3 fish oil fatty acid supplements may boost women’s health.  Fish oil has been shown to be beneficial for many health conditions. PMS, menopausal symptoms, hormonal imbalances, cervical cancer and breast cancer may benefit.
 
A number of authorities have recently recommended increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids by the general population.  Because of this, we are now seeing more products (eggs, yogurt, milk, margarine, etc) that are fortified with omega3s.  The question is, how much omega3s are actually in these products and what is the omega6 to omega3 ratio.  The individual’s goal should be to increase omega3 consumption while reducing omega6.  Since most of the fortified foods contain both, they are not likely to be beneficial.

When it comes to men’s and women’s health, regular dietary intake of fatty fish like salmon is probably a good idea, as long as it comes from the Pacific Ocean.  The Atlantic Ocean is heavily polluted.  Fish from the Atlantic contain high levels of mercury and PCBs. 

Fish Oil – Best Source of Omega3/DHA

The better fish oil supplements are molecularly distilled to remove mercury and other contaminants.  Eating a little fish sometimes is okay.  But, the best way to insure that you get enough omega-3 fatty acids every day is to take a molecularly distilled supplement.

DHA is Very Important

Some manufacturers suggest that flax seed oil is better than fish oil.  But flax seed contains only ALA.  The omega-3 fatty acids that are most important to our health are DHA and EPA.  The body can convert ALA to DHA or EPA.  But, researchers have shown that ALA supplements do not increase circulating levels of DHA.  It is DHA that is most beneficial to women’s health issues, such as PMS and the depression that may accompany menopause.

Low levels of DHA are known to accompany depression and have been found in women suffering from moderate to severe PMS.  Fish oil is the best and most reliable source of DHA, but you will need to read the label to be sure.  Many products contain more EPA than DHA; it should be just the opposite.

Fish Oil Benefits Health Conditions
 
Omega-3 fatty acids have natural anti-inflammatory activity that helps relieve cramping.  It’s good for the joints and the heart, painful joints often accompany menopause.  Heart disease is more common in postmenopausal women.
 
Breast cancer is one of the women’s health issues that are most worrisome, particularly in women with a family history of the disease.  Fish oil may reduce the risk of breast and cervical cancer.  Several studies report that women with these types of cancer have low circulating levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition, we now know that chronic inflammation plays a significant role in cancer cell production and tumor growth.  Researchers have been recommending increased intake of natural anti-inflammatories for several years, but not everyone in the mainstream medical community has paid attention to that advice.

Most people don’t want to give up their regular diets in order to reduce their risk of chronic and life threatening diseases.  But, taking a good dietary supplement is something that practically anyone is willing to do.

In summary: Consume more DHA than EPA.  Take in more omega3 than omega6.  Omega6 comes from cooking oils.  Cut down on frying food.  Fish oil is the best source of Omega3/DHA.  So, take a good fish oil supplement.  It’s good for women’s health and for men’s. For the best fish oil source that I have found in my research please visit my website listed below.  Thanks, Margaret Bell

Women’s Health::Can Omega3 Fish Oil Boost Women’s Health?.

Men’s Health::Can Fish Oil Omega3 Benefit Men’s Health?

Fish oil may be particularly beneficial to men’s health, because of the omega-3 fatty acids they contain.  Low intake of fish and low circulating levels of DHA, an omega3 fat, are associated with prostate cancer, BPH or enlarged prostate, prostatitis and with fertility issues, such as low sperm count and motility.

DHA Importance

DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory activity and counter the effects of other types of dietary fat, such as omega 6 and saturated fats.  If you haven’t heard already, you should not be eating anything that contains trans-fat.  Food manufacturers are now required to list the trans-fat content, because it contributes to a variety of health problems and is not necessary to the human body. 

Prostatis is an inflammation of the prostate gland.  It usually begins gradually and lingers on for several weeks.  Bacterial or other type of infection may or may not be present.  Symptoms include pain and, if bacterial infection is present, fever.  Protecting the prostate is an important part of men’s health.  Fish oil, because of its anti-inflammatory activity, reduces the risk of prostatitis.

At birth, the prostate gland is tiny.  It grows rapidly during puberty and a second growth spurt typically occurs after the age of 40.  Nine out of ten men suffer from enlarged prostate or BPH by the time they reach the age of 85.  A fish oil supplement may reduce the risk of BPH, which is benign.  Studies have shown that blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are lower in people with BPH and even lower in those with prostate cancer.

Sperm Count Increase

An important aspect of young men’s health, when they want to have children, is low sperm count or low sperm motility.  Although the reasons for this are unclear, it has been shown that a fish oil supplement increases both the count and the motility of the sperm.  Many scientists hope that supplementation will reduce the need for in-vitro fertilization, because infants born through IVF have greater health risks.

Heart Health Improved

One benefit of omega-3 fatty acids that is important to everyone is the reduced risk of heart disease.  It is relevant to men’s health, because a man is more likely to suffer from a fatal heart attack than is a woman.  A fish oil supplement is beneficial to the heart in several ways.

Clotting Risk Reduced

First, it reduces the risk of clotting.  Clots can interrupt the blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack.  Blood clots are also responsible for stroke.

Second, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.  High cholesterol, in particular, high levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of the heart disease that is typically seen in older people. 

Commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis occurs when LDL cholesterol builds up on the interior portion of the arterial walls. 

Men over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of heart attack.  So, omega3s are particularly beneficial for men’s health, from the age of 40 on.  For more information please see my website listed below.  Thanks, Larry L. Taylor

Men’s Health::Can Fish Oil Omega3 Benefit Men’s Health?.

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