Omega 3 is crucial for the healthy and robust functioning of multiple internal activities in the human body.
It can aid and foster better health in numerous conditions ranging from depression to pregnancy. There are a lot of benefits of fish oil.
Omega 3 is an essential nutrient but is scarcely produced by the body on its own. An excellent source of this vital nutrient is Fish oil.
The intake can be in the form of supplements. It is rich in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which classifies it as a highly valued industrial product.
What Is Omega-3?
Omega-3 is extracted from the tissue of certain species of fish. It entails a detailed procedure of extraction and refinement.
There are traditional methods and other newly developed methods to extract fish oil. The latter is environment-friendly and is termed green methods of fish oil extraction.
Some of the methods are wet pressing, cold extraction, solvent extraction, and hydraulic pressing which are traditional methods that have the drawback of tampering with and degrading the natural compounds of the product because of elevated temperatures.
The newer techniques developed to curb this shortcoming of traditional techniques are enzymatic extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and ultrasound-aided extraction.
They have the benefits of faster thermal processes at lower temperatures and resulting in value-added products.
When we talk about the species of fish that qualify for fish oil extraction, there is an interesting thing to note.
The fish do not have Omega content in them. They have it accumulated in their body because they predate on other petty fatty fish that actually have Omega-3 acids.
Among 3 Omega-3 fatty acids, two of them are important and the fishes are the primary source of its derivation.
The species that are rich in this content are wild salmon, mackerel, tuna, rainbow trout, sardines, and anchovies. There are a lot of benefits of fish oil and they are produced in three forms- pills, liquid, or capsules.
There are a lot of amazing benefits of fish oil. In fact, the spectrum of these benefits of fish oil is quite wide when we talk about the aspects of human health, as detailed below:
Cardioprotective Health:
Fish oil intake can aid healthy heart health. It is found that people who have a high intake of fish in their diets are at a lesser risk of heart diseases.
It keeps good cholesterol at favorable levels and keeps bad cholesterol at bay. It also reduces blood pressure.
Respiratory Health:
One of the benefits of fish oil is that it is said to have the potential to treat asthmatic conditions and allergies if consumed from an early stage.
This argument is supported particularly in the case of children as asthma develops at young ages more in comparison to later stages in life.
Fat Levels And The Liver:
When it comes to the liver, it is a well-known fact that it processes the most fat in the human body.
The liver is at the risk of diseases and inflammation which can be curbed by fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids can help in processing fat and aid liver functioning.
Pregnancy:
It is said that fish oil is good for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. It can also positively affect fetus development in terms of growth and development of the brain and even eyesight.
It is supposed to foster healthy development when children are born and for women who do not eat fish, consuming fish oil through pills or capsules is a reliable source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Skin-Care:
The anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oil do all the magic when speaking of skincare. It is normal for people belonging to a coastal region to have great skin and hair, thanks to their seafood-rich diet.
This property helps with acne. It keeps the skin youthful because fatty acids can retain moisture. It can solve scalp issues of dryness and flakiness from the root by improving blood circulation and opening hair follicles.
Brain And Mental Health:
This aspect is what makes the benefits of fish oil so versatile. It not only caters to bodily functions but also to the mental health of individuals.
A major benefits of fish oil is that it is said to help depression symptoms and anxiety.
It helps in the robust functioning of the brain because the brain consists of fat and has Omega-3 fatty acids, any further intake will only make it better and healthier for brain development.
Dog Health:
When it comes to our four-legged best friends, we barely compromise. Fish oil is a major source of nutrients and fatty acids for pets as well.
It is good for joints, brain development, anti-inflammation, liver health, and for their coat. The industry caters to this need by producing fish oils just for pet consumption.
Major Diseases:
Fish oil is debated to reduce the risks of cancer. It is also mentioned in the case of Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia which are mental disorders.
Although more study in the area is needed to scientifically prove claims it is true that it helps with symptoms that are brain-related which makes sense due to its rich content of a vital brain nutrient.
It is also known for treating Crohn’s disease. This is a bowel disease and involves inflammation.
Although there are a lot of benefits of fish oil, its intake must be taken at prescribed levels as excessive intake can have side effects like nose bleeding, loose stools, and nausea.
There is a risk of it containing toxins like mercury that can hamper health. Side effects of excessive Omega-3 acids can be mild like headache or bad stomach but excessive intake over prolonged periods of time can have consequences.
Despite this, the pros and benefits of fish oil clearly outweigh the cons that come with careless intake and impurity.
Fish oil continues to be a major commodity in the market that has an umbrella of benefits for distinct functions of the body and brain.