Fish oil is one of the most effective and comprehensive natural products available. Fishermen have been using cod liver oil for centuries as a rub for aching joints and dry skin.
At a certain point, people realized that the treatment worked more quickly when consumed by mouth. Cod liver oil was used in the 1700’s to treat rheumatism and rickets.
During the 1800’s, fish oil became better purified and better tasting due to the steam process. This led to wider availability. In the 1900’s it became far more accessible. It was included in animal feeds and was available and marketed to the masses.
In the 21st century, researchers are still only beginning to see the potential of this product of nature. Some of its most prized benefits include its impact on joint health and cardiovascular health. The DHA and EPA found in this oil have anti-inflammatory properties. This effect on inflammation is why these fatty acids are able to ease joint pain so effectively.
Fish oil has also been shown to lower bad cholesterol (LDL), while raising good cholesterol (HDL). Additionally, it decreases blood pressure. These effects contribute to a decreased risk for heart disease and better overall heart and circulatory health.
Benefits Of Fish Oil
This incredible product can improve much more than your heart and joints, however. It is useful as a treatment for skin conditions, such as eczema, dandruff, acne, and dry skin.
Fish oil has also shown great potential for the treatment of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and anxiety.
It can also be helpful in improving symptoms of ADD and ADHD. This is most appreciated by parents who want to help their children to concentrate better in school without giving them serious prescription drugs.
Omega 3 also contains mood stabilizing elements which can be useful in treating symptoms of depression, PMS, and menopause.
The DHA and EPA contained in fish oil make it a critical element in building healthy babies. Pregnant mothers should take some form of Omega 3 to ensure proper development of their children. Newborns and infants also require large amounts of DHA in their diets.
DHA is responsible for proper brain and eye development in young babies. It is naturally produced in breast milk. Therefore, nursing mothers should take a supplement to ensure that they are replenishing their supplies. Baby foods, formulas, and whole milks are often enriched with DHA, as it is now evident how important this part of fish oil is to growing babies.
Fish oil has not been proven to be a cure for cancer. It has also not been proven to prevent cancer. This said, there are impressive connections between the two. Breast cancer is one type that has been shown to respond particularly well to this treatment.
Omega 3 typically cannot be relied upon to work independently of medical treatments. It can be a very effective aid to traditional methods, however. Fish oil has also been shown to greatly reduce your risk of developing certain cancers. Research in this field is still quite new, so there is a great deal more to be studied and learned. Early findings are very promising.
Side Effects
People often worry about potential side effects with health products, such as fish oil. Thankfully, fish oil has no actual side effects. There is conflicting evidence, concerning issues that may arrive from taking too much Omega 3. Some studies suggest that more than 3 or 4 mg of Omega 3 per day can lead to an increased risk for bleeding.
Fortunately, the potential risk for this and any other side effects can be eliminated by following recommended dosage guidelines. For average people, a dose of 1 or 2 mg per day is ideal. If you consume fish regularly (at least once per week), take 1 mg.
If you are like most Americans who do not consume this much fish, take 2 mg daily to acquire your proper dose. Exceeding 3 mg daily is not advised unless you are under the direction and supervision of a medical professional.
Choosing A Fish Oil
Fish oil has typically been consumed in liquid form. Users needed to hold their nose and force down a spoonful of poor tasting liquid to reap its awesome benefits. Fortunately, this is no longer a requirement, although liquid form is still available.
The most common form to find fish oil is in a softgel capsule. The oil is contained in a gelatin capsule that is soft but solid. These capsules can be large, but are smooth and typically easy to swallow.
You can purchase 3 main types of oil — cod liver oil, krill oil, and standard fish oil. Cod liver oil is derived from the livers of cod fish. Krill oil is made from tiny krill, which are a shrimp-like creature, also considered a delicacy in some countries. Nonspecific fish oil can be made using a wide variety of fish species, including tuna, anchovies, sardines, salmon, or others.
American Heart Association
Not all supplements maintain the same level of quality or contain the same amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. The right fish oil supplement should possess the following basic qualities:
• Safety — some brands have recently been found to contain mercury and PCBs
• Effectiveness — some products do not contain a balanced ratio of DHA and EPA; this is critical for achieving the maximum health benefit
• Purity — brands often flood their supplement with preservatives and other additives and flavorings; these are unnecessary and hint to a poor quality product
• Affordability — the right product may not be the cheapest, but it should be priced affordably
These are some simple characteristic that any supplement worth your money should have. A product should proudly display all ingredient information on its label. One that would have you call their office to learn specifics obviously has something to hide. Honesty and integrity are important factors in any company, particularly one that is dealing with your health and well being.
Thankfully, there is such a product available to you. Xtend-Life provides all of these basic qualities and more in its fish oil supplements. Xtend-Life sources its fish from the cleanest waters on earth between New Zealand and Antarctica. The product then undergoes rigorous purification to ensure a final result that is 100% free from heavy metal or other toxic build-up. With 260 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA in each serving of fish oil, you are receiving an optimal dose of these essential fatty acids.
You can also depend upon Xtend-Life to give you a supplement that is free from any preservatives or flavorings (natural or artificial). The only thing in your capsule is pure and healthy fish oil. At only $16.85 per bottle, Xtend-Life is not the least expensive product available, but it is quite reasonable in comparison with other premium fish oils. With a money back guarantee you have nothing to lose and a great deal to gain, so why not add a superior quality fish oil supplement to your diet today.
