Eat more fat. Could this be correct? We have been told for years not to eat fat. Everywhere you look you see fat-free, low fat or non-fat food products. Fat is very essential for us to live, i.e. providing adequate body metabolism and functioning at the cellular level. So you may ask, what are the fish oil benefits?

Did you know our brain is made up of approximately sixty- percent fat? There are good fats and bad fats. The required essential fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body. They are critical for maintaining brain function, maintaining a strong immune system, and for maximum heart capacity. Good fats are essential to achieve proper brain maturation at one year of age through achieving optimal cognition as we age. These omegas are being studied in relation to Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease.

So which fats are good and which are undesirable? What are the fish oil benefits? What we want to achieve is a balance of essential fatty acids. There are Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids. Our ancestors had a diet, which consisted of a ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 at 1:1. Today, our American diet ratio approximates a ratio of 30:1. Omega 6 oils are found in animal fats, warm weather vegetable oils, and processed foods. Omega-3 fatty acids or the “good” fatty acids are found in cold water fish, flaxseed, almonds, and pumpkin. The beneficial fatty acids are in the form of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid).

Some individuals have an inherent defect in converting their EPA’s into DHA. These people must take DHA directly. Otherwise they will not get the benefit of essential fatty acids.

If too much of the Omega-6 fatty acids are ingested, this can put the body in a pro-inflammatory state. Foods such as animal meat, squid, eggs and milk may promote this. Many of our arthritides are self-induced by our own diets. Fish oil benefits this and symptoms can be reduced or progression significantly retarded with modifications in our macro and micronutrient intake.

Omega 3’s have an important effect on the brain blood flow, immune system and neurotransmitter system. This is because every cell of our body has a lipid bi-layer surrounding it. We want to have a fluid membrane that is flexible. We see disease presentations when it becomes rigid. Contributors are those foods that contain trans-fatty acids or state partially hydrogenated on them. ( Beware!) Some interesting studies have shown a correlation of these fatty acids with such diseases as depression, multiple sclerosis, PMS related mood changes, schizophrenia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and other neurological conditions.

You may have a fatty acid deficiency if you have any of the following symptoms: dry skin, dandruff, frequent urination irritability, soft nails, allergies, weakness, fatigue or poor wound healing to name a few. Fish oil benefits all of these.

It is important to take a good antioxidant when taking fatty acids. They can become rancid in the body, causing a condition called lipid peroxidation which forms free radicals. (Do not take an excess of antioxidants however-these can become free radicals themselves.)

Also all fatty acids (even with the same name) are not created equal. The source of the origin must be known. Some fish have high mercury content. Therefore ingestion of a product of unknown reputation is to travel on unchartered waters! The fish oil benefits may then be compromised.

After years of searching for a reputable fish oil, I found a lab that would manufacture what I like to believe is the best on the market. That is why I developed a product to my own specifications. It is EPA/DHA in the proper ratios to give the most powerful results. I have recommended this to my patients with great success. I have seen clinical results with decreasing the pain and inflammation with arthritis, improving blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, deleting the side effects of certain drugs, and improving memory and cognitive functions.

Do not let your essential fatty acids become exposed to prolonged air, light, or heat. Keep in a cool dark area. I recommend to my patients to keep them in the refrigerator. Otherwise you will be ingesting rancid fats. The fish oil benefits will not be seen as a result.

The first step is to determine if you have a deficiency or an imbalance of the above ratios. Not only can signs and symptoms be showing up in your body, but also there are specific lab tests that can be performed to determine if you are deficient in a particular fatty acid. Once a particular fatty acid is found to be deficient, dietary changes and/or supplementation may be necessary for optimum brain function. So to make certain you take advantage of all the fish oil benefits, take a good quality supplement.

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