Fish Oil, Amazing Omega 3s

Every Friday I meet a few friends at the local diner (Caspers) in town for breakfast.  It is quite an experience.  There are four men who are "regulars".  They are some of our elders in town and are very interesting to listen (eavesdrop I mean...) to.  I enjoy their bantering back and forth about politics, marriage, raising children, religion, and all the other "taboo" subjects that are usually only discussed in private circles...  Well, a few weeks ago, one of the men was talking about health issues with his heart and high cholesterol and all of the different medications he takes.  The subject turned to natural alternatives (my heart was so happy!!).  Fish Oil, someone said.  That was their recommendation for the heart issues and to lower his cholesterol.  Soooo, of course I came home and started researching Fish Oil.  Here are some interesting things that I found out:

Mainstream medicine offers numerous pharmaceuticals - especially statins - to people with high cholesterol and other symptoms of heart disease (and I found out that statins have been linked to cancer, hummm, good reason to look for an alternative don't ya' think).  The American Heart Association states that Omega 3s protect cardiovascular health by decreasing risk of arrhythmia, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, lower triglyceride and lipoprotein levels, inhibit development of artherosclerotic plaque, contribute to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammatory responses.  

I also found research that indicated that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have low levels of EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid which come from seafood which regulate EVERY body function at the cellular level - WOW!).  The study stated that supplementation can improve cognitive performance and may reduce inattention and impulsivity (Alex Richardson, senior research fellow at Oxford University, UK).  Dementia in the elderly has also been related to low levels of essential fatty acids.  The inCHIANTI study concluded that individuals with dementia had significantly lower levels of EFA's.  

The best sources of EPA and EHA are salmon, sardines, light tuna, mackerel and herring.  Certified mercury free fish oil supplements are an option for those who don't like fish.  For vegetarians and those with allergies to fish, and excellent source is flaxseed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and wheat germ.  

So, of course as always, check with your health care provider before changing any prescribed medication regime, but please take the time to ask about Fish Oil and what it may be able to do for you.  Any time that we can help our health in a natural organic manner, we are better off.  Less side effects and health as Mother Nature intended it to  be!