Fish Oil Reduces Symptoms Of Exercise Induced Asthma

By David McEvoy

Fish oil can reduce the symptoms of exercise induced asthma to below the threshold for diagnosing it and at the same time lower the need for emergency medication according to the results of a trial carried out by Indiana University in Bloomington, USA.

The trial was a randomised double blind cross over study and involved 16 people who had mild to moderate asthma and who normally took medication on a daily basis to control it. During the trial those taking part were given either fish oil or a placebo for a period of three weeks. The dose of fish oil was quite high containing 3.2gr of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 2gr of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Both at the beginning and at the end of the trial, the participants were subjected to lung efficiency tests and had their sputum analysed for pro inflammatory cells and markers. Those who were given fish oil showed improved lung efficiency of about 64% and reduced their need for emergency medication by around 31%. They also had a lower level of pro inflammatory cells and markers in their sputum. These promising results are believed to be due to the anti-inflammatory effect of the Omega 3 fatty acids that are present in fish oil.

What is exercise induced asthma?

After exercise and sometimes even during exercise, the airway passages in people with exercise induced asthma become inflamed and narrower resulting in decreased lung efficiency, often making it necessary to use inhalers. The constriction of the airways causes various symptoms including coughing, tightness across the chest, wheezing and shortness of breath. These symptoms generally start to ease off gradually over a period of half an hour or so following exercise.

No one really knows what causes it but it is thought to be triggered by the drying out and cooling of the airway passages which results in the cells releasing pro inflammatory chemicals which then causes a narrowing of the airways. Consequently, exercising in cool and dry conditions outdoors is more likely to result in an attack of asthma than physical activities such as swimming where the air is moist and warmer.

One major problem with exercise induced asthma is that it can be a barrier to exercise for many people, particularly youngsters who can be put off sport and other physical exercise because of it. It is also on the increase and the reason for this is thought to be linked to an increased consumption of Omega 6 fatty acids in the diet along with a reduction in the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 6 is known to be pro-inflammatory whereas Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory properties and it is this difference in ratio that is thought to be responsible for a rise in a number of health problems.

Omega 6 is found in processed foods, vegetable oils, meats and dairy products so there is an abundance of them in our diet. The Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA on the other hand are only found in oily fish or fish oil as plant sources of Omega 3 do not contain EPA and DHA, they are in the form of Alpha linolenic acid or ALA, but the problem with ALA is that our bodies cannot easily process it to produce EPA, which is the fatty acid best known for its anti inflammatory effects.

You would have to eat an awful lot of fish to get the same amount of EPA that is present in fish oil, which isn't a good idea due to the potentially harmful toxins, including mercury, that are found in our fish. So, for this reason, fish oil offers a viable and safer alternative. Another point worthy of consideration is that long term use of medication for asthma can make it less effective and of course as with any medication there can also be unwanted side effects so if fish oil can reduce the need for medication and inhalers in people with exercise induced asthma, then that is exciting news indeed.

Conclusion

Fish oil is already known to offer both preventative and therapeutic health benefits for a number of conditions and so is an excellent supplement to promote good health in general. However, a word of caution, if you are thinking of trying fish oil supplements it is essential to opt only for the best quality fish oil known as pharmaceutical grade fish oil due to the potentially harmful toxins that can be present in lesser grade fish oils.

Krill Oil or Fish Oil - That is The Question

By Victoria Doval

You may not be old enough to remember the 1950s commercial jingle, "Brill Creme, a Little Dab Will Do Ya." Doesn't matter. You do need to know about the next big thing for staying healthy and it is... (drum roll please)... krill oil (http://www.krill-oil-benefits.com/krill-oil.php). A Daily Dose Will Do Ya.

No matter how you look at it, or what your sex, or whether you're 21 or 81, there's one thing your body truly has to have: essential fatty acids (EFAs). And here's the rest of the story. See, your body doesn't make them for you. So you must get them from the food you eat and from supplementation.

Essential fatty acids (http://www.krill-oil-benefits.com/omega-3.php) are mostly omega-3 and -6 EFAs that come from the oils of plants, fish and tiny shrimp-like cold water crustaceans called krill. This article is about essential fatty acids and why it makes sense to choose krill oil as your most beneficial source of essential fatty acids.

The three major types of omega-3 fatty acids are ALA or alphalinolenic acid; EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid; and DHA or docosahexaenoic acid.

Omega-6 fatty acids help omega-3 fatty acids in the body. But you need to consume them in the right balance. The improper balance between omega-3 and omega-6 is known to lead to disease, but the right ratio can support good health.

The explanation is that omega-3 reduces inflammation (http://www.krill-oil-benefits.com/krill-oil-joints.php), and omega-6 turns it up. Many researchers believe that too much omega-6 in the typical American diet is a big factor in the growing number of inflammatory disorders. Too much inflammation leads to pain and many diseases.

But deciding how much of which foods to eat is sort of like rocket science for people that have nothing else to do. However, nutritional supplements solve that problem because you can see what's in 'em on the label.

So now you're probably asking, which source of EFAs should I choose for nutritional supplementation? Plant oil, fish oil or krill oil? We'll leave plant oil on the shelf for now and go ahead with what you need to know about the two marine sources.

You'll be happy to know that krill oil is coming on like gangbusters in essential fatty acid and antioxidant supplements for waging a very effective war against inflammatory and other diseases.

What makes krill oil better than fish oil? krill oil has 48 times more antioxidant power and is much more absorbable.

Want to know why krill oil is easiest to absorb but were afraid to ask? The krill's EFAs are bound with phospholipids instead of the triglycerides of fish oil. And guess what, it's phospholipids that are foundational to cell membranes in the human body.

The unique bond between the krill's omega-3 EFAs and its phospholipids gets antioxidants through the wall of the intestines and into your cells. And that's major.

At the beginning of this article we listed 12 health concerns in addition to just plain staying healthy. Every one of them, and more we haven't mentioned, can most likely be helped by taking krill oil supplements every day.

Of course, be sure not to use any marine form of EFAs if you have seafood allergies (http://www.krill-oil-benefits.com/krill-allergy.php); and ask your medical professional about any interactions with medicines, particularly blood thinners.

Dispute Over Fish Oil Gets Smoky Hot

By Tom Attea

It appears that fish oil prevents second heart attacks but primarily in Europe. It has become the usual practice over there to prescribe purified fish oil to patients who have had a heart attack. Their longevity increases through the likely benefit of preventing future heart attacks.

But in the U. S. fish oil, as a rich source of omega-3, hasn’t been given nearly as much of an opportunity to benefit our cardiovascular systems, at least, not the prescription-grade of the fishy substance known by the brand name of Omacor, which is, among other tidy benefits, mercury-free.

Now, the dispute has gotten smoky hot.

We read such notices as, “Most cardiologists here are not giving omega-3’s, even though the data supports it. There’s a real disconnect,” said Dr. Terry Jacobson, a cardiologist at Emory University in Atlanta. “They have been very slow to incorporate the therapy.”

It appears, in fact, that if a prescription is sent to many a health insurance company in the USA that calls for Omacor, the patient receives a note that it’s not covered and generic fish oil is recommended as a relatively inexpensive substitute. Only trouble is, of course, the OTC varieties are not as reliably pure or concentrated.

With more and more studies demonstrating the benefits of fish oil, the question is, when will American medicine finally get hooked?

Fish Oil Side Effects

By David McEvoy

Studies have consistently shown that taking fish oil supplements on a daily basis is a highly effective and efficient way of getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet to make a positive difference to our health, but what are the potential risks of any side effects?

Fortunately, side effects are rare and when taken in the correct dosage most people experience little if any side effects at all, but as with any supplement, there is always the possibility of experiencing some symptoms and fish oil is no different. So what should we be looking out for?

Fishy burps

By far the most common side effects reported are fishy burps, fishy breath or a fishy aftertaste in the mouth. This is completely harmless albeit slightly unpleasant but can largely be avoided by keeping your fish oil in the fridge and taking the fish oil along with food.

Stomach upsets

Some people have experienced other gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhoea, indigestion, abdominal bloating, heartburn, mild stomach cramps and perhaps slight feelings of nausea but again, these side effects can be reduced or eliminated by taking the fish oil along with meals and by taking a lower dose to begin with and then gradually increasing it over a few weeks.

Increased risk of bleeding

The fatty acids in fish oil have an anticoagulant (blood thinning) effect which in most cases is a good thing, however, when fish oil is taken in particularly large doses or alongside other blood thinning agents, there is an increased risk of bleeding which can take the form of easy bruising or nosebleeds or longer bleeding times. Serious side effects are extremely rare but it is important that anyone who is already taking Aspirin, Warfarin (also known under the brand names Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan and Waran) or any other blood thinning drugs should discuss the potential risks with their doctor before taking any fish oil supplements.

Mercury poisoning

A major worry with eating fresh fish is the amount of mercury and other toxins they can contain. Sadly, our seas are polluted and consequently so are our fish and so any toxins in the fish can also find their way into fish oil supplements unless the fish oil has had these contaminants removed. Pharmaceutical grade fish oil is an informal term that has been applied to fish oil that has been through processes such as molecular distillation and sophisticated filtering systems where the mercury and other undesirable elements in the fish oil are removed leaving purified and concentrated fish oil and so this risk is not relevant for high grade fish oils. A major advantage in buying a good quality or pharmaceutical grade fish oil is that it can be concentrated to contain very high levels of the most important fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also means you can take one or two capsules a day to get the same effect of maybe five or six capsules of lower or standard grade fish oils.

Other potential side effects

If the fish oil supplement contains vitamin A then there is an increased risk of vitamin A toxicity. Cod liver oil for example, is produced from the liver of fish where vitamin A is stored and can contain potentially high levels of Vitamin A so it is best avoided.

Fish oil can also go rancid very quickly and as Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant it is added to some fish oils to keep them fresh. There have been some studies indicating that taking fish oil can increase the need for antioxidants so it is advisable to look for fish oil that has vitamin E added.

Other studies have suggested that fish oil might increase levels of low density lipoprotein (LDP) or bad cholesterol, but this depends on the dosage.

There have been some indications that fish oil can have a short term effect on blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes so anyone with diabetes should seek the advice of their doctor before taking fish oil supplements.

Conclusion

In general, the side effects from fish oil are few and far between if any at all and serious side effects are in fact extremely rare whereas the health benefits to be gained from taking fish oil supplements are enormous.

If you are on existing medication or have other health problems or are worried about the possibility of side effects then a chat with your doctor before taking fish oil will put your mind at ease.

Finally, if you take the correct dose, keep your fish oil in the fridge and take your supplements at mealtimes then the chances are the only effect you will feel is a greater sense of wellbeing and perhaps a lighter mood.

Fish Oil Benefits

By Lori Matthews

In the quest to achieve better health and wellness, fish oil supplements have become an increasingly popular way to take advantage of many different medical benefits. Fish oil originates from the tissues of oily fish, such as carp, herring, salmon, and fresh tuna. Today, fish oil is recommended as part of a healthy diet because of the amount of omega-3 fatty acids contained, which is known to reduce inflammation throughout the body and lessen the threat of coronary heart disease (among other things).

There are two main ways to include fish oil as part of a healthy diet. The first involves the consumption of oily fish, including sardines and cod, which contain oils throughout their body and about their gut, unlike other species of fish. Depending on the species, oily fish fillets may offer up to 30% oil. Besides omega-3 fatty acids, oily fish also provides a good source of vitamins A and D.

The second approach towards increasing the amount of fish oils in a diet is to purchase fish oil capsules or supplements. Many people are said to prefer the consumption of fish oil capsules because they are easy to follow and do not require laborious measurements in making sure recommended daily values are satisfied. To explore some of the many benefits associated with fish oil supplements and consumption, a few examples can be found below:

Decreased Pain Levels and Inflammation

Omega-3 fatty acids may posses the power to lessen inflammation in the body, as well as ease the pain associated with arthritis and cystitis. Rheumatoid arthritis patients often report an improvement in joint pains and inflammation when taking fish oil supplements.

Treats Depression and Stress

Some individuals have been able to ease their symptoms of depression by implementing omega-3 fish oil supplements into their diet. Fish oils have also been linked to showing promise in treating bipolar and psychotic patients. Supplements may also help to promote the overall mood of patients, and may even reduce premenstrual stress.

Cardiovascular Improvements

The heart, arteries, and veins may benefit from fish oil because it has been known to help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, while at the same time improving "good" cholesterol levels.

Fights Strokes and Heart Attack

The threat of stroke and heart attack may be decreased with the introduction of fish oils into a diet because they may help to prevent blood clots and other damage to the heart. A decreased risk of sudden death and heart attacks has also been seen.

Enhances Brain Activity

Fish oil is known to boost intelligence and overall happiness in users, as well as improve the memory and ability to stay focused. In the elderly, the risk of dementia and memory loss sometimes decreases with the use of fish oil supplements. Additionally, mothers who consume or take a high amount of omega-3/fish oils during pregnancy often give birth to children with a higher IQ.

Combats Childhood Disorders

Children, who suffer from disorders, such as ADD and ADHD, have experienced a better quality of life when incorporating fish oil fatty acids into their diet. Additional conditions that respond to fish oils include dyslexia and compulsive disorders.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Chewable Fish Oil Capsules – Learn About Chewable Fish Oil Capsules

Chewable fish oil capsules are a hit because they are more palatable than concentrated fish oil. A soft, chewable, gelatin shell encloses the fish oil not only to make it easier to ingest, but also to prevent oxidation from taking place and thereby maintaining the freshness of the oil.

Should I take chewable fish oil capsules?

Yes, especially if your doctor allows you to. Fish oils are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats figure more prominently in brain functions, but it also affects other systems like the cardiovascular and muscoskeletal systems. However, Omega-3 cannot be manufactured by the body –it should be incorporated in your diet via fish oil.

Two of the major types of Omega-3 fatty acids are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). DHA improves the state of neurons and neurotransmitters that enhances the coordination of the brain to other functions. On the other hand, EPA “protects” the body from pathological conditions.

What are the benefits of chewable fish oil capsules?

Some of the diseases that can be prevented or alleviated by fish oil capsules include cardiovascular ailments like heart diseases, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Muscoskeletal problems like osteoporosis, arthritis, and muscular degeneration can also be addressed by Omega-3 in chewable fish oil capsules. They can also help treat psychological disorders – in fact, these fatty acids are helpful to ward off depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Even surface damages like burns and skin diseases can be answered by the healing abilities of fish oil. Asthma, Inflammatory Bowel disorder, menstrual pain, as well as certain types of cancers have been shown by studies to benefit from these supplements.

Some reminders

A precautionary measure for those who are using, as well as those who plan to use, chewable fish oil capsules: Buy only from reputable manufacturers. Toxic contaminants like mercury can still be present inside the fish's body if the manufacturer does not clean it properly. Also, the manufacturing plants of some dubious manufacturers with poor sanitary conditions can be sources of harmful substances.

If you want to be 100% sure that you are getting top-quality chewable fish oil capsules, purchase your fish oil supplements from pharmaceutical GMP-compliant manufacturers that have passed very strict manufacturing standards set by the FDA. These manufacturers do not add any fillers (such as sugar, starch or even sand) to their products, so you get the exact amount of fish oil nutrients you paid for.

We have found a pure pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil product that is naturally high in DHA and EPA.

Coming from the Hoki Fish Located on the pristine southern coasts of New Zealand, where the waters are extremely low in pollution and toxins. Discover the best fish oil product on the market today and the one we ourselves personally use. We recommend you learn more: Omega 3 Fish Oil

Jean Helmet is one of the editors for a series of health sites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition, as well as omega 3 nutrition, and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition health book

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Omega 3 Fish Oil in Bulk - Find Discount Nutritional Supplements and Omega 3 Fish Oil in Bulk

By Jean Helmet

Omega 3 fish oil supplements are normally inspected by federal inspection agencies to ensure that they meet quality health standards. These supplement products are pharmaceutical grade fish oil and totally reliable and safe. In order to offer fish oil capsules at a discounted rate, many companies sell omega 3 fish oil in bulk. There are many online sources where you can go to buy these supplements. These products are available in the form of capsules as well as liquid oil in a bottle.

Some manufacturers categorize their fish oil products by giving them the name of the fish from which they were extracted. Omega 3 fish oil in bulk is available as salmon oil, tuna oil, cod liver oil and krill oil. Some companies also sell oil extracted from algae, a plant source. It is also rich in essential omega 3 fatty acids and people who are allergic to fish oil can easily consume it. Organic omega 3 oils are also available in the form of flax seed oil, organic hemp, olive oil, organic pumpkin seed oil and organic soybean oil.

Buying omega 3 fish oil in bulk is very inexpensive. You can choose your fish oil from a range of products including pure fish oil and mixture of different fish oils. Some products also include fruit juice extracts and borage oil to overcome the odor of fish oil. You can try different supplements and then see which one suits you the best.

There are no side effects associated with normal consumption of fish oil capsules. However, overdose may cause some adverse effects like sleepiness, diarrhea, bad mouth taste, skin rash and irritation and other problems related to stomach. Always ask a health expert about the dosage of nutritional supplements.

Even if you are buying omega 3 fish oil in bulk, always choose a reputed manufacturer. The oil should be refined and purified before processing. These high-quality molecularly distilled fish oil products are very expensive if bought alone.

However, discount rates are offered if you plan to buy a lot of fish oil bottles. Find the leading suppliers of fish oil and vegetable oil supplement products online. Read their customer reviews and feedback. Suggested dosage of liquid oil is 1 teaspoon after every meal or at bedtime. However, if you experience any kind of allergy or irritation, immediately consult your doctor and see if fish oil has anything to do with it.

We have found a pure pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil product that is naturally high in DHA and EPA.

Coming from the Hoki Fish Located on the pristine southern coasts of New Zealand, where the waters are extremely low in pollution and toxins. Discover the best fish oil product on the market today and the one we ourselves personally use. We reccomend you learn more: Omega 3 Fish Oil

Jean Helmet is one of the editors for a series of health sites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition, as well as omega 3 nutrition, and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition health book, for more information on our free featured book.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Omega-3-Fish-Oil-in-Bulk---Find-Discount-Nutritional-Supplements-and-Omega-3-Fish-Oil-in-Bulk&id=490966