Whether
you're looking to maximize muscle building and fat loss, or you're
simply looking to take the best pathway to optimal health, fish
oil is a supplement you must be adding to your daily diet.
There
are few supplements on the market that offer as many benefits as fish
oil does. Regardless of who you are, it's almost certain you will
benefit from it.
WHAT FISH OIL IS
Fish
oil is a form of fatty acid that is derived from the tissues of oily
fish. It contains the omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are what has gained
the most attention with regard to health research over the last few
years.
Individuals
who consume a high amount of fatty fish in their diet tend not to
need to supplement with fish oil capsules as much or as
often. However, you should remember that many fish varieties do
contain higher levels of mercury, which also needs to be monitored in
the human body.
If
these levels of mercury get too high, that can cause problems too, so
it's vital that you keep a good balance. Fish oil capsules, along
with fatty fish on occasion, will be the best way to meet your needs
safely.
Fish
oil supplements offer a wide variety of benefits. Here are three
important ones you should know about.
1.HEALTHY CHOLESTEROL LEVEL SUPPORT
Supplementing
with fish oil may support a healthy blood cholesterol profile already
within a normal range. Adding 3-6 grams of fish oil a day can help
promote healthy ratios of HDL to LDL, as well as healthy levels of
triacylglycerol concentrations in the body when they are already in
healthy range.
If
you can start using fish oil, as well as eating a diet that is rich
in fresh fruits and vegetables, you will support overall health and
well-being.
2.BONE HEALTH SUPPORT
As
you grow older, especially in the case of women who are
entering the menopausal years and who no longer have the standard
estrogen and progesterone hormone levels, the bones may begin to
thin, which then sets you up to experience osteoporosis.
Studies
have looked at the implications of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty
acid intakes on the bone density and calcium balance in menopausal
women, and have found that those who do take in higher levels of
fatty acids may help support healthy bones.
The
best way to support your overall bone health is to make sure you're
getting enough calcium in your diet regularly. After that's been
looked after, it would be a very smart move to start paying attention
to your fish-oil consumption.
It's
important to make sure you're getting a good ratio of omega-3 to
omega-6 fatty acids, though. Consuming too much omega-6 and too
little omega-3 can actually put you at a higher risk for a lower
bone-mineral density.
3.MOOD SUPPORT
Research
has indicated that including fish oil in your diet on a regular basis
may offer mood support.
The
diets of many people are so filled with processed foods that there
isn't enough quality nutrition coming in to support a healthy system.
This only adds to the stress build-up that may exacerbate mood
disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Fish
oil consumption helps support the levels of serotonin in the body,
which is often termed the "feel-good" hormone. You'll
typically reap the benefits of serotonin after eating a
carbohydrate-heavy meal, which is what puts you in a relaxed and
peaceful state. For this reason, individuals typically crave
high-carbohydrate foods when they are stressed.
By
supplementing with fish oil, you will naturally support your own
serotonin release in the body, which may help manage stress.
CONCLUSION
As
you can see, fish oil supplements offer a variety of benefits. Fish
oil isn't necessarily going to help you build muscle at an
accelerated pace directly, but indirectly it will help support the
quality of your workouts.
Most importantly, supplementing with fish
oil will enhance your overall health, which is key to pursuing
workouts over a longer period of time.
