Lately, the news and the internet have been full of discussions on the topic of fish oil and inflammation. Sad to say, there has also been a lot of misinformation as well.
Inflammation is the condition that happens when the immune system gets out of balance. To be more precise, the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil need to be balanced with an equal amount of omega 6 fatty acids. For most of us, this does not come close to happening.
Modern diets are full of omega 6s. Vegetable oils, processed foods, dairy products, margarines and salad dressings are the usual suspects. This results in 85-90% of us having an omega 3 deficiency. Put another way, it is not the lack of fish oil and inflammation that go hand in hand, but the lack of omega 3s in our diets.
Omega 6 fatty acids tend to increase inflammation, while omega 3 fatty acids decrease those functions. Both families must be in balance to maintain optimum health.
To be clear, inflammation is a necessary response. The body is trying to heal itself. If we fall and cut ourselves, white blood cells and platelets are dispatched to begin the inflammatory process. This results in redness, swelling and even some pain.
If the immune system over responds, then there are a lot of extra white cells, platelets and chemicals that are not needed. Depending on where this inflammation occurs, this can result in arthritis, visual problems, heart disease and various brain problems like Alzheimer's or depression.
The omega 3s in fish oil not only act as a preventive measure but can cure or alleviate inflammatory conditions. There are over 12,000 research studies supporting these claims. In fact, it is one area the conventional and alternative medicine communities are in agreement.
But do not go out and buy a batch of fish oil supplements. A little more research on your part is needed. Remember, it is the nutrient content that matters. Check out the companies website. The good products that are out there believe in full disclosure. They can prove their claims about purity and nutritional potency. Some even provide lab reports.
Fish oil is food that will get inflammation to the levels that nature intended. There should be no chemical additives, no ocean pollutants or things like talc [crushed rock] or titanium dioxide [paint additive]. There also should not be gimmicks such as enteric coatings that hide the taste and/or smell of a bad product.
Keep your standards high. Avoid supplements like these even though they are cheap and readily available. My website can help your research in this area.
Author Resource:
Get my free five-part mini course on the benefits of omega 3 for the whole family, including critical information on why you should take omega3 fish oil .
To sign up for the course and get more tips on the importance of omega 3, visit my website: http://www.omega-3-guide.com/
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