Diabetes::Will Omega-3 Fish Oil Help Diabetes Sufferers?
How can fish oil help diabetes sufferers? Worldwide, over 194 million people suffer from diabetes. It contributes to over 200,000 deaths per year. Complications from the disease include blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage. It is the most common cause of limb amputations not due to injury and it increases the risk of heart disease by 300%.
Fish Oil Benefits – Diabetes
There have been hundreds of published studies concerning omega-3 fatty acids and type II diabetes, the most common type. But, supplementation may also be beneficial for people with type I. Primarily, the studies have shown that a molecularly distilled, high quality fish oil supplement helps reduce the risk of the complications mentioned above. Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids is particularly beneficial when cholesterol levels are also too high, a common problem in type II diabetics.
Healthy Diet is Important
Healthy diet is, of course, a must. Foods that should be avoided completely by people with type II diabetes include bread, white flour, white rice, sugar and white potatoes. Those are simple carbohydrates that are digested too quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Trans-fats and omega6s should also be avoided.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (oatmeal, wild rice), beans, legumes, fish and seafood, soy, Asian mushrooms, herbs, spices, cinnamon and unsweetened teas should be the dietary staples, being mindful of any food allergies. Even if a person does regularly eat fish and seafood, a fish oil supplement is recommended by many doctors, because of all of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating fish is recommended but be careful since some fish types have more mercury than others. Distilled Fish Oil, the one I recommend, does not. It is clean and healthfully beneficial. Not all fish oil is equal. Even those found in health food stores can be of low, questionable quality. Supplementation is a way to increase intake of the nutrients, without greatly increasing caloric intake. That’s important because 70-90% of type II diabetes sufferers are overweight.
Depression & Fish Oil
Depression is a common problem among people that suffer from all types of diabetes, as well as those who are overweight. Recent studies suggest that fish oil is a natural anti-depressant. Its anti-inflammatory activity is well known.
Joint Pain Relief
Diabetics often suffer from joint pain and stiffness. Nerve damage is due to reduced blood flow to the nerves. Reduced blood flow is caused by inflammation and clots in the blood vessels. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-coagulants. They prevent blood clots from forming.
More Fish Oil Benefits
The benefits that have already been mentioned are enough to confidently suggest supplementation. But, a recent study conducted by the University of California indicates that there are even more benefits for people with type II.
In type I, the problem is damage or death of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In type II, there are two problems; decreased insulin production and decreased insulin sensitivity or resistance. The cells of the body stop responding to insulin, for unknown reasons. Normally, insulin lets the cells know that glucose is available to be used for energy. If the glucose is not used by the cells, it builds up in the bloodstream, damaging the organs.
The recent study concludes that fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids can prevent and reverse insulin resistance, as part of an overall healthy lifestyle and diet. It may be possible to prevent type II diabetes, entirely. For more information on diabetes and fish oil benefits, please visit my website listed below. Thanks, Larry L. Taylor
Allergies::Will Omega-3 Fish Oil Help?
For many types of allergies, increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help resolve some or all of the symptoms. Inflammation is involved in itching, hives and rashes. Most dietary fats trigger the release of inflammatory molecules. Fish oil, because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, triggers the release of anti-inflammatory molecules. Cooking oils, which contain omega-6, causes the release of INFLAMMATORY compounds. Increase Omega-3 sources but decrease omega-6 intake.
Hay Fever, Rhinitis
They symptoms of hay fever or allergic rhinitis are caused by inflammation in the affected tissues. You may find that natural anti-inflammatories are just as effective as antihistamines and other drugs. Other natural anti-inflammatories are found in green tea, alpha lipoic acid, carnosine, turmeric, glutathione, resveratrol and flavonoids. Be Patient – Fish Oil Works
Fish oil and other natural anti-inflammatories are not accompanied by the unwanted side effects that are seen with prescription drugs. It may take some time and patience on your part, but it is possible to reduce allergic symptoms naturally. It will probably require some lifestyle and dietary changes, in order to see results, but to most people, the results are worth making the necessary changes.
Fish Oil – Anti-Inflammatory
Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, while decreasing your intake of inflammatory omega6s, provides many health benefits. Allergies are only the first on a long list of conditions that are basically caused by or aggravated by chronic inflammation. It is involved in arthritis, skin diseases, heart disease, immune system dysfunction, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, digestive disorders and many other health complaints. It even plays a role in cancer formation and progression.
Use Only Pure Distilled Omega-3 Fish Oil
Fish oil may not be a cure-all, but if you can only take one dietary supplement every day, that’s the one to take. You just need to choose your supplements carefully. Contaminants have been found in many brands. Only buy a product that adheres to the International Fish Oil Standards. This information should be listed on the label or the company’s website. The better companies have higher standards than those set down by the IFOS.
Molecular Distillation is Essential
Omega-3 fatty acids are good for your health, but mercury and other contaminants are bad. There are companies out there that state molecular distillation is unnecessary and reduces the omega-3 content. Those statements are not truthful.
According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the State of California and other reliable sources, molecular distillation is an absolute must. Taking a good supplement may help relieve allergies and other health problems. Taking a bad one is a waste of money and it could cause unwanted problems. For more information on allergies and fish oil, please visit my website listed below.
Brain Function::Will Omega-3 Fish Oil Help?
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for healthy brain function and development. Molecularly distilled fish oil, particularly if it is rich in DHA, is the safest and best choice for supplementation. For strict vegans, the best alternative is marine algae. Flax seed supplements do not contain DHA.
DHA-Highly Important
For many years, flax seed has been recommended as a vegan alternative to fish oil, but research has now proven that flax seed supplements do not increase levels of DHA in the bloodstream. It is DHA that is most important to healthy brain function, because it is the most abundant fatty acid found in it. In addition, it makes up 50% of the membranes surrounding the neurons.
Neurons are sometimes referred to as nerve cells or simply brain cells. They are responsible for processing and transmitting information. They are the core components of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. When neurons become damaged or destroyed, they usually cannot be replaced. It has been estimated that there are 100 billion neurons in the brain, alone.
Alzheimer’s
Diseases that negatively effect brain function are known as “neurologic diseases”, because it is the neurons that are “sick”. In an Alzheimer’s patient many of the neurons die. They become choked with plaques and cannot function. Researchers hope that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.
Depression
Fish oil supplements are beneficial for people suffering from depression. It has been noted that DHA levels are very low in people that are depressed. In cases of severe depression, DHA is practically depleted.
ADHD
Numerous research studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in people with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The drugs that are frequently prescribed for ADHD, depression and similar problems are accompanied by numerous unwanted side effects. They are addictive substances and people often develop a tolerance to them, requiring that they take larger and larger dosages. Fish oil is a safer alternative that is not accompanied by unwanted side effects.
Other supplements that support brain function include SAM-e and Bacopa. The antioxidant curcumin (found in turmeric) is currently being studied for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Any of these nutrients may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neuro-degenerative diseases. In fact, any nutrient deficit will cause memory problems, moodiness, irritability and fatigue. For supplement recommendation see my website listed below.
In order to compare quality and insure that you get the greatest benefit, you should carefully read the label. Total omega-3 fatty acids should be listed, along with the amount of fish oil that is in the capsule. The DHA content should be listed, as well as the EPA content. You will notice that most brands contain lots of EPA, but very little DHA. That’s because fish like herring and sardines contain mostly EPA.
EPA is one of the important omega-3 fatty acids, but new research indicates that DHA provides most of the benefits. It may even reduce your risk of cancer. Healthy brain function is only one of the many benefits that accompany supplementation. For more in-depth information on the benefits of fish oil and other supplements, please visit my website listed below. Larry L. Taylor
