Whether you're looking to maximize muscle building and fat loss or you're simply looking to take the best pathway to optimal health, fish oil is a supplement you must be adding to your daily diet. There are few supplements on the market that offer as many benefits as fish oil does, so regardless of who you are, it's almost certain you will benefit from it.

Here is some of the important information that you should know about fish oil.

What Fish Oil Is

Fish oil is a form of fatty acid that is derived from the tissues of oily fish. It contains the omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are what has gained the most attention with regards to health research over the last few years.

Individuals who consume a high amount of fatty fish in their diet tend not to need to supplement with fish oil capsules as much or as often, however you should also remember that many of the fish varieties do contain higher levels of mercury, which also needs to be monitored in the human body.

If these levels of mercury get too high, that can cause problems too, so it's vital that you keep a good balance. Fish oil capsules along with fatty fish on occasion will be the best way to meet your needs safely.

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Those Who Consume A High Amount Of Fatty Fish
Tend Not To Need To Supplement With Fish Oil.

1. Healthier Blood Cholesterol Profile

One of the main benefits that you'll experience when supplementing with fish oil is a healthier blood cholesterol profile. Whether you are currently suffering from cardiovascular disease or know that you are at an increased risk of suffering from this condition, adding three to six grams of fish oil a day can help promote better ratio's between HDL and LDL as well as lower the levels of triacylglycerol concentrations in the body.

If you can start using fish oil as well as eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables you will be putting up your best guard against heart problems developing.

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Adding Fish Oil To A Healthy Diet Will Put
Up Your Best Guard Against Heart Problems.

2. Improved Bone Health Profile

As you grow older, especially in the case of women who are entering the menopausal years and who don't have the standard estrogen and progesterone hormone levels any longer, the bones may begin to thin, which then sets you up to experience osteoporosis.

Studies have looked at the implications that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes have on the bone density and calcium balance in menopausal women and have found that those who do take in higher levels tend to have healthier bones and decreased occurrences of stress fractures or other bone related conditions.

There will never been any better way to increase your overall bone health than being sure you're getting enough calcium in your diet regularly, but after that's been looked after, it would be a very smart move to start paying attention to your fish oil consumption habits.

One thing that is important to note though is that it's important that you're getting a good ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in the body as if you aren't that can actually put you at a higher risk for a lower bone mineral density.

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Once You're Sure Your Getting Enough Calcium It
Would Be Smart To Look At Taking Fish Oil.

3. Cancer Protection

A third main benefit to taking fish oil capsules regularly is that they can help protect you against a variety of forms of cancer. Each day you are exposed to a number of different free radicals that react with the body and can become very harmful over time.

Eating plenty of antioxidants through an intake of fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to offset this damage by free radicals, however fish oil also offers protection.

One study in particular looked at fish oil consumption compared with animal fat consumption and found that fish oil can help to safeguard the negative impacts of animal fat on the body tissues.

Eating a diet high in saturated fat will place you at a higher risk for a number of diseases, so working on eliminating animal fat from your diet is important, but since it would be fairly unrealistic to assume you will cut out all sources of animal fat, taking fish oil regularly will be a good combating technique.

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Taking Fish Oil Capsules Regularly Can Help
Protect Against A Variety Of Forms Of Cancer.

4. Mood Disorders

A fourth reason to start including fish oil in your diet on a regular basis is because of the protection against mood disorders they can offer you. In today's stressful times the rates of depression and anxiety are on the rise, and often these problems are amplified by poor eating habits.

The diet's of many people are so filled with processed foods that there isn't enough quality nutrition coming in to support a healthy system, which only adds to the stress build-up that tends to set these disorders off.

Fish oil consumption helps to increase the levels of serotonin in the body, which is often termed the 'feel good' hormone. You'll typically reap the benefits of serotonin after eating a carbohydrate heavy meal, which is what puts you in a relaxed and peaceful state. Individuals typically crave high-carbohydrate foods when they are highly stressed for this reason.

	What Is Serotonin? Serotonin or 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that is primarily found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and central nervous system (CNS) of humans and animals. Approximately 80 percent of the human body's total serotonin is located in the enterochromaffin cells in the gut, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements. The remainder is synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the CNS where it has various functions, including the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction, and some cognitive functions including memory and learning. Modulation of serotonin at synapses is thought to be a major action of several classes of pharmacological antidepressants.

By supplementing with fish oil you will naturally improve your own serotonin release in the body, which will keep your emotions on a steadier keel, aiding to prevent depressive symptoms from occurring.

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Supplementing With Fish Oil You Will Naturally
Improve Your Serotonin Release In The Body.

Conclusion

So be sure you do keep these points in mind. Fish oil isn't necessarily going to help you build muscle at an accelerated pace directly, but indirectly it will help improve the quality of your workouts and more importantly, really enhance your overall health and disease resistance.

Both these are important aspects if you hope to pursue workouts over a longer period of time.

The Ultimate Guide For Fish And Seafood!

Many athletes have a large part of their daily diets that consist of fish and seafood. The reason is obviously quite simple - protein.

Omega-3 Fat: The Research That Can Lead To A Longer Life.

Fats in general are an essential part of every diet, especially that of bodybuilders and athletes, but protein and carbohydrates always seem to garner the most attention...

Essential Fatty Acids - Essential For Gains.

This is the third article in a series covering what I call the 'Foundation Supplements.' In this article we'll deal with the essential and some important non essential fatty acids. Learn more right here.

References:

1. Adler, AJ. (1997). Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol 65, 445-450.
2. Kruger, M.C. et al. (2007). Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and the Regulation of Bone Metabolism. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 232:1275-1288.
3. Caygill, C.P. et al. (1996). Fat, fish, fish oil and cancer. British J. Cancer. July; 74(1):159-164.
4. http://www.fishoildirect.com/benefit_of_fish_oil.htm

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