The Benefits of Fish Oil Capsules
believed to accurately reflect the benefits of fish oil, however, it is possible that reports are biased by commercial interests.
A previous meta-analysis found no statistically significant effects for taking fish oil supplements over a 1 year period. This new meta-analysis extends this time up to 4 years and included all trials which compared supplementation with at least 800mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day.
Included in the meta-analysis were data from 68,680 patients in 20 randomized controlled trials. Trials with a placebo control group and others that used dietary advice as a comparison were excluded from the analysis. The trials studied the effects of taking fish oil over a period longer than 1 year and did not study the benefits of dietary fish consumption.
Current recommendations suggest that people who have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease take approximately 800mg of EPA and DHA per day to reduce their risk. The new meta-analysis found that supplementing with this dose for up to 4 years reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by 10%. Over 4 years, supplementation had no effect on all-cause mortality (risk of death from any cause).
Fish oil for healthy skin:
dry or flaking skin is usually a sign that you are deficient in essential fatty acids which are found in fish oils. This deficiency often occurs when people follow low-fat diets, but also due to other issues such as stress, difficulty digesting fats, or low intake. EFA’s are needed for the overall health of the skin and tend to be missing when skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, or acne start to appear.
Fish oil benefits bodybuilding: The supplements can also help improve your workout results by reducing inflammation and muscle soreness so you can get back to the gym faster.
Fish oil for acne:
There has been a lot of debate around whether fish oils help to reduce acne or not, but current research suggests that it may be beneficial for people who suffer from mild-moderate forms of skin problems. In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science, researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids helped to reduce acne symptoms in people who had no history with oily fish.
Fish oil benefits for women:
The study involved 470 patients who were given either 2 grams of omega-3 supplements or mineral oil for 3 months. By the end of the trial, both groups experienced a decline in acne symptoms.
Fish oil benefits for psoriasis:
There is good evidence that fish oil helps to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis, especially when combined with other methods such as topical creams or oral medications.
A systematic review published by Cochrane compared different dietary treatments for mild-moderate forms of psoriasis. During the review, they found that adding fish oil supplements to other topical or oral treatments helped reduce symptoms in most patients.
Fish oil for eczema:
One of the most common reasons why parents will give their children omega-3 fatty acids is for the treatment of dermatitis, otherwise known as ‘atopic’ or ‘childhood’ eczema.
It usually appears in the first year of life and tends to improve with age. During the Cochrane review mentioned above, they looked at 7 studies that involved 1,451 children who were given either fish oil supplements or placebos for 6-12 weeks.
Fish oil benefits for thyroid health:
The study found that there was no significant effect of fish oil on dermatitis, which has led scientists to consider other benefits such as improved thyroid function. Fish oils help to improve the conversion of thyroxine (T4) into triiodothyronine (T3), which is an active form that helps your body metabolize fats and proteins for fuel and growth. The thyroid also helps to control the growth and development of your hair, nails, and skin.
Fish oil for hair loss:
It is well known that deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids can lead to various health problems like fatigue, depression, heart disease, or immune system dysfunction. Low levels of these nutrients are also common when you suffer from hair loss and thinning. The reasons for this are:
– Deficiencies reduce your brain function so you can’t think as clearly which leads to poor hair hygiene habits such as not shampooing or conditioning your hair.
– The nutrients help to improve blood circulation, which is important if you suffer from nutrient deficiencies such as iron deficiency (anemia), or low vitamin B12 levels.
– They help to improve the health of your scalp by reducing inflammation and stimulating new cell growth so you can have a healthier head of hair.
Fish oil benefits heart disease:
Heart problems are one of the leading causes of death around the world, so it is important to understand how fish oil benefits our cardiovascular system. Omega-3 supplements contain a form of polyunsaturated fatty acids called ‘long chain’ or ‘PUFAs’.
The major types are EPA and DHA. These help to reduce inflammation throughout your body which can lower the risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and even asthma.
Fish oil benefits for diabetes:
There is good evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce the severity of diabetes. An 11-year study involving more than 9,000 people found that those who ate oily fish were 48% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who rarely ate it. That risk was reduced even further for individuals who ate fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish oil benefits bodybuilding:
A review of 12 randomized studies, which included a total of 586 participants, found that those who supplemented their diets with fish oils gained more muscle mass and strength than those who didn’t. These are the most common types:
– Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – These help to boost your metabolism and increase muscle growth.
– Arachidonic acid (ARA) – This helps to reduce body fat and improve energy levels.
Fish oil benefits for depression:
Fish oils are very important when it comes to mental health, both for children and adults. Deficiencies have been linked with a higher risk of mood disorders, including depression, and bipolar disorder. They have also been found to reduce hostility in young people.