Benefits of Taking Fish Oil Supplements for Heart and Overall Health

12/08/2023

Let’s dive into the core benefits of fish oil supplements:              

Improve heart health:

Heart diseases are growing at an uncontrollable pace worldwide, affecting millions of people each year. The human heart undoubtedly plays integral roles, from pumping blood throughout the body to managing blood pressure. Surveys reveal that heart disease is the number one cause of death across the globe. To keep yourself away from heart disease, you need to take care of it thoroughly. By giving it what it needs, you can minimize your risk of coming across diseases like stroke, heart attack, heart failure, etc.

Studies believe one can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by adding fish or fish oil to their diet. A study found that people who eat fish have a decreased risk of developing heart conditions than those who don’t. Including fish or fish oil offers multiple benefits to your heart health, such as:

• Fish and fish oil supplements reduce the bad cholesterol level and increase the good cholesterol level significantly.

• Another advantage of it is that it reduces triglycerides by approximately 15 to 30, preventing serious heart conditions.

• Plaque in arteries is responsible for causing heart attack. When arteries are blocked, they find difficulty in carrying the blood to the other parts of the body, causing strain on the heart. Eating fish or fish oil prevents the plaques that block arteries.

• Taking fish oil supplements or fish stabilizes the increased blood pressure in those having blood pressure problems.

Addresses certain mental health conditions :

Having stable mental health keeps you active and productive throughout the day. However, as soon as your anxiety kicks in, you start encountering some symptoms, such as increased heartbeat, nausea, lack of focus, cold hands and feet, etc. Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder) are growing more than ever. Therefore, taking care of your mental health is as important as drinking eight glasses of water every day.

Some studies confirmed that people with mental health conditions had lower omega-3 levels. The human brain is made up of approximately 60% fat, and most of this fat is omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, omega 3s are key to healthy and smooth human brain functioning. Omega 3s can help in preventing the symptoms of certain mental health conditions. For instance, it can decrease the risk of developing psychotic disorder in people who are at risk of it.

Hence, it would be best if you increased your intake of omega-3. You can opt for foods like fish or fish oil supplements to increase omega-3 levels. Make sure you take it in the recommended quantity. Overconsumption of it can cause problems.

Decreases inflammation:

Your immune system uses inflammation to combat infection and heal wounds. However, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression are all linked to chronic inflammation. Therefore, managing the inflammation can help address symptoms of listed health conditions. To reduce inflammation, you can include fish or fish oil supplements.

Fish oil comes with inflammatory properties and helps tackle conditions with symptoms like obesity and stress. Fish oil supplements can also aid other health conditions, such as joint pain, stiffness, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammatory bowel disease is also caused by inflammation. However, it is not clear whether fish oil assists in managing its symptoms or not. More research is needed on the same.

Promotes healthy skin:

Having flawless skin is everyone's dream. Nobody wants to get any scar, pimple, or mark anywhere on their body and face. Therefore, you must understand what your skin needs to stay healthy and clear. Undoubtedly, the skin is the biggest organ in the human body, which has omega-3 fatty acids in abundance.

Your skin health starts declining as you age, resulting in many problems. However, you can reduce your risk of coming across several skin disorders, such as psoriasis and dermatitis, by including fish or fish oil supplements. Fish oil supplements are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids.

Support pregnancy and early life:

Omega-3s have an essential role during pregnancy. Therefore, you should get enough omega-3s from your diet and supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Early growth and development of the fetus rely on it. Omega 3 reduces the risk of allergies and promotes visual development in infants.

Consumption of fish oil supplements can lead to better fetal brain development. However, it is still being determined whether it will help in improving IQ and learning or not.

Could prevent mental decline symptoms: 

As we grow, our brain’s ability to perform slows down, and the risk of developing certain medical conditions increases. However, it is believed that people who take fish or fish oil supplements experience a slower mental decline with growing age than those who don’t.

Nevertheless, studies on the consumption of fish oil supplements disclose that it has not yet been confirmed whether these supplements can slow brain aging. On the other hand, some small studies said that fish oil supplements can aid in improving memory in older adults.

The bottom line:

Fish oil is great for your heart and overall health. It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have numerous benefits. For your heart health, fish oil can help subside triglyceride levels, lower blood pressure, and prevent plaque build-up in your arteries. However, its benefits don’t come to an end here. Fish oil supplement has also been linked to improved brain function, reduced inflammation, and even improved skin texture. It's like a super supplement for your overall health. Before taking it, talk to your doctor first, especially if you have any existing health conditions. They can provide you with personalized guidance based on your specific needs.

FAQs: 

1. Is fish oil a blood thinner? 

Fish oil supplements don’t cause blood thinning. However, you should not exceed the recommended dosage prescribed. Consuming it in high amounts can lead to ill effects. 

2. What are the main benefits of fish oil?

Fish oil supplements are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A & D. Adding fish oil to your diet will lead to the following benefits: 

• Promote good heart health 

• Effective in treating certain mental conditions

• Decrease inflammation 

• Support healthy skin 

• Prevent mental decline symptoms

• Improve bone health 

 3. Is fish oil beneficial for heart health?

Heart disease is one of the major causes of death around the globe. Conditions like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, etc., are prevalent more than ever. However, you can diminish your risk of developing heart conditions by just adding fish or fish oil supplements to your diet. Eating fish oil supplements offers the following benefits: 

• Increase good cholesterol 

• Address high blood pressure 

• Prevent plaque build-up 

• Diminish triglycerides 

4. Is it reasonable to take omega-3 fish oil every day?

According to AHA, taking 3 grams of fish oil through supplements seems safe. To know your exact dosage, please consult your healthcare provider. The requirements vary among people based on age, sex, and mental & physical well-being. 

5. Does fish oil increase testosterone?

A study was conducted in 2020 that found fish oil supplements enriched in DHA helped in increasing the testosterone levels in obese and overweight men. However, more research is required before finalizing anything.