The answer is a resounding "Yes!" It isn't just hype, there is a lot of sound scientific research on fish oils. Just for fun, I did a search on the PubMed data base at the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. There was a return of almost 16,000 research articles. No, I didn't read all of them but a quick scan reveals that there are many different benefits of taking fish oil supplements and having fish in our diets. Fish oils are a natural anti-inflammatory which means they have far reaching benefits for our health. This research on fish goes back decades when we realized that regions where diets included fish had low rates of heart disease. It was the fat in the fish, also known as omega 3 fatty acids, that had a cardioprotective effect. Fish oils also helps lower triglycerides and increase good cholesterol while preventing blood from clotting and reducing blood pressure. In fact, in many parts of Europe, it is considered tantamount to malpractice to omit prescribing fish oils to someone who suffered a heart attack because it works so well. Research also reveals oOther positive health benefits in the following areas:- Acne and Skin Health
- Alzheimer's and Brain Health
- Arthritis
- Cancer Prevention (certain types)
- Children's Health and Development
- Digestive & Gastrointestinal Health
- Eye Health and Vision
- ADHD, ADD
- Depression & Anxiety
- Immune System Enhancement & Immune Diseases
- Pregnancy, Fetal and Newborn Health
- Respiratory Health & Allergies
- Relief of Chronic Pain
As you can see, this is an amazing list and is by no means complete. As you might imagine, in the United States, our diets typically lack adequate levels of Omega 3's for optimal health. Because of that, for most people, I recommend a quality fish oil supplement that is purified and tested such as Carlson's. As always, it is a good idea to get professional advice when dealing with health issues.
