Home / Fish oil: benefits and harms to the body

Fish oil: benefits and harms to the body

The usefulness of fish fat lies in its unique composition. It is rich in positively influencing the cardiovascular system by polyunsaturated fatty acids. Regular intake of fish oil reduces the risk of resistance to insulin, the formation of the clot, low-density lipoprotein.

Biological value

Fish oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega-3, the most important of which are considered to be for the body alpha-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids. They are responsible for the efficiency of transmission in the Central nervous system biogenic amines, improve blood supply of the brain. These processes directly affect the improvement of cognitive performance. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) has anti-inflammatory properties.

Beneficial effects of PUFA precursors — neuroprotection is to protect neurons from the harmful effects of oxidative stress. The latter is a result of excessive physical activity, including during exercise. This is due to the high demand of athletes in a constant intake of these substances in the body.

The usefulness of PUFA omega-3 is not limited to the effect on the brain. The results conducted in the seventies of the last century, studies showed that people taking omega-3 fatty acids, much less susceptible to diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD), atherosclerosis of extremities, hypertension.

Good for the body

This animal fat is widely used in the treatment of night blindness, anaemia, rickets, tuberculosis, and other disorders. High content of vitamin A helps to maintain excellent vision. Fish oil allows you to restore clear thinking and lift your mood with organic depression, developing on the background of degenerative and vascular processes, epilepsy, neuroinfections, chronic intoxication, trauma.

The high content in cod liver oil vitamin D making it an effective preventive measure against disorders of the skeletal system. Vitamins D are directly involved in the formulation of the amino acid tryptophan to serotonin, which is also called "hormone of joy". Function of serotonin is to appetite regulation, motor activity and mood. This all has a positive effect on General health and well-being.

Fish oil burns saturated fats, helps to achieve significant results for weight loss. Recent studies have shown that omega-3 can prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease. Thisfact finds both supporters and opponents. The debate on this subject is still going on. Suppression fish oil on oxidative stress leads to decreased sensitivity to the hormones of the adrenal glands.

The composition of fish oil include:

  • arachidonic, oleic, palmitic acid;
  • omega-3 and omega-6;
  • cholesterol;
  • phosphorus and iodine.

Daily allowance

Is determined by the individual characteristics of the organism. The allowable amount of fish oil that will not harm the body, is considered to be between 1.0 and 1.5 grams per day. For those involved in weightlifting, this figure is doubled and amounts to 2-3 grams. With decreasing mass, you must consume even more fat, bringing its number up to 4 grams per day.

Breaks between meals can do. You should consider the fact that to get pure omega-3 due to improper storage is difficult. If the retention rules are violated, a larger number of metabolites is converted into free radicals. The latter do not benefit but rather cause the body severe damage.

Usage instructions

Fish oil shown with hypovitaminosis (deficiency) of vitamins A and D, depression, nervousness, such a violation of the nervous system as neurocirculatory dysfunction — vascular dystonia (VSD), as well as to improve the conductivity of CNS (Central nervous system). For athletes this fat of animal origin is indispensable. It speeds up what is happening in the tissues of the metabolic processes, improves physical performance.

Release omega-3 capsules. Take them only after eating. If you drink the capsules on an empty stomach or before meals, this can lead to different disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Daily intake of the capsules can be viewed on the reverse side of the package. When unsaturated fatty acids are taken in the form of tinctures, drink it three times a day during meals, but not more than 15 ml.

To obtain polyunsaturated fatty acids from fresh fish. Importantly, the product was stored properly. In this case, it is sufficient to eat 150 grams of fish per day.

Capsules — the most convenient form of reception

The ban of this drug in the Soviet Union was due to the origin. Fish oil, derived from the remnants of cod liver or fish residues, contains many harmful substances, including heavy metals. Today the drug from these sources is found in the free market, but is not recommended for admission.

Useful for body fish oil on the packaging must be labeled "fish" and not "cod liver". Fish oil is produced frommeat from the remains or liver. The more expensive grade of fish used, the better obtained from it fat. This is due to that purchase too cheap fish oil capsules should not be.

Contraindications and side effects

Gastrointestinal disorders — the main side effect due to taking fish oil on an empty stomach. Omega-3 has a number of contraindications. It can not be used when kidney stones, hyperthyroidism — increased thyroid function, excess of the normal level of calcium in the blood.

Make polyunsaturated fatty acid is contraindicated in decompensated associated with systems disorders, including febrile syndrome, and in the period of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease. When a substance causes allergic reactions, it is fraught with development of anaphylactic shock.

Fish oil, like any drug or product has its contraindications. In the absence of individual intolerance, characterized by allergic reactions, prevent it from receiving diseases, he brings an invaluable and multi-faceted benefits for the body, keeps himself in shape and keep healthy.