Fishing for Facts

Fishing for Facts





A new study reports that eating fish or taking
fish oil supplements may be good for brain health in old age. Teens, younger children,
including pregnant women and breast-feeding moms can take fish oil as a
supplement to fish. Fish oil is likely safe for everyone.  A diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids or
fish oil supplements might help with teen depression.





Omega-3 fatty acid is a good fat found in fish such as sardines,
tuna, mackerel and salmon. It preserves the memory and thinking skill of the
brain.  Brains normally shrink as we grow
older but having high omega-3 levels seems to slow this process. It also helps
prevent heart disease such as cancer, asthma, depression, cardiovascular
disease and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.  If you love eating fish, you can get your fish
oil from fish high in the omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately most people’s diet
has shifted away from fresh vegetables and fish to high omega-6 instead; these
omega-6 foods includes crackers, cookies, and corn-fed beef.

Taking fish oil might be helpful if all you consume is a lot of red
meat. Grain-fed animals that serve as a source of red meat supply omega-6 fatty
acids to your diet. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for health when kept in
proper ratio to omega-3 fatty acids. Getting omega-3s from fish oil helps
balance out high dietary doses of omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids
cause inflammation and omega-3s reduce it. Inflammation in blood vessels
increases your risk of heart disease.

In addition to omega-3s, fish is high in protein, vitamins, and
minerals. And, it's low in saturated fat. Fish, like other meats, normally
contain little sodium unless they're processed. Canned, dried or smoked fish
might be high in omega-3 fatty acids but also high in sodium and are better
avoided if you're trying to restrict your sodium intake for health reasons,
such as high blood pressure