I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon every day for breakfast. To my finicky palate that does not sound as appetizing as waffles. Why do they do it? They argue that salmon is the most perfect food on the planet, full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They do it because they plan on living a long time.
Most of us know that fish makes for a healthier dinner than steak. It is lower in bad cholesterol and a few other things. But numerous studies support the hypothesis that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have positive effects on a whole list of chronic disorders. Among these are high triglycerides, arthritis, Chrohn's disease, cancer, hypertension, Alzheimer???s disease, coronary artery disease and the neural development of children. To say it would be difficult to cover all these topics in a single essay is an understatement. But here are a few examples.
Japanese women have a much lower risk of breast cancer than do their American counterparts. However, Japanese women who move to America and adopt its dietary patterns have an equal risk of contracting breast cancer as American women within one generation. Women living in Japan have a high ratio of omega-3 fatty acids compared to omega-6 fatty acids in their breasts. Studies have shown that women with breast cancer have up to a five-fold higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. Omega-6 imbalance has been shown to promote tumor growth.
Breast tissue changes in response to diet shift within about three months. Supplementing with three grams of fish oil a day (equivalent to eating two large salmon) has demonstrated a four-fold increase in the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in the blood and a similar ratio increase in breast tissue thus decreasing the risk of contracting breast cancer.
The 1991 Rotterdam Study considered the incidence of chronic diseases among the elderly on a test population of 5,000 participants at least 55 years of age. In particular the study focused on the effects of dietary fat intake in relation to these chronic ailments. Dietary profiles were collected including statistics of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and polyunsaturated fats. Particular attention was directed toward fish consumption because fish is high in the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Of the total study population 1.1% suffered with Alzheimer???s disease. The statistics indicated a relation between Alzheimer???s and high saturated fat intakes. Fish consumption was associated with a low incidence of dementia, especially Alzheimer???s. Autopsies indicate that a decreased level of DHA in the hippocampus and frontal gray matter of the brain are associated with Alzheimer???s.
Saturated fats and cholesterol may negatively influence dementia because they affect cardiovascular health. Adverse cardiovascular events are associated with Alzheimer???s disease. In addition to this, omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to play a role in brain and neurological development in infants. Omega-3 may have dementia preventing powers as well.
Some studies have indicated that there is an adverse relationship between lowering blood cholesterol levels by dieting and medication and the emotional health of the individual. Increases of depression, suicide and homicide have been linked to dieting. But it may not be hunger pangs that are the influencing factor. The quantity and distribution of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may play a significant role by influencing serum lipids and altering biophysical and biochemical properties of cell membranes.
Epidemiological studies in various countries and in the United States in recent years suggest decreased omega-3 fatty acid consumption correlates with increasing rates of depression. This is consistent with the established relationship between coronary artery disease and depression. Omega-3 deficiency may also be related to the depression associated with alcoholism, post-partum depression and multiple sclerosis.
What about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? It has become an epidemic in our time resulting in millions of children being placed on medication. In addition to the fact that we are destroying the attention spans of kids by placing them in front of televisions and computers instead of good books, there may be dietary influences as well.
A 1995 study involved 96 boys in Indiana schools, 53 of which had been diagnosed with ADHD. Dietary intake statistics of essential fatty acids were established based on 3-day surveys of each boy. There were no significant differences between the ADHD boys and the others in relation to consumption of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. An additional 22 measurements were taken designed to establish the lipid and fatty acid levels in each group.
It was found that the ADHD group possessed significantly lower amounts of specific lipid fatty acids in plasma, and lower concentrations of total fatty acids in red blood cells than did the non-ADHD group. Since omega-3 is the primary polyunsaturated fatty acid found in the retina and cerebral cortex it was postulated that low levels of omega-3 might negatively affect proper brain function and therefore the ability to concentrate. What was not determined was whether the omega-3 deficiencies were due to inadequate intakes of the fatty acids or the individual ability to metabolize them. In either case, however, higher intakes of omega-3 through eating fish or taking fish oil supplements could help to raise omega-3 levels and therefore help counteract to effects of ADHD.
Greg holds degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer.
http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/fishoils.html
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe Superbug MRSA which is becoming more common in Hospitals,... Read More
Discount Supplement ? what is it?Discount supplement is a term... Read More
People accept arthritic disease as a 'natural part of the... Read More
A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More
There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More
Aging, a steady declineThe History of the world is filled... Read More
Actually, my headache is not the result of just thinking... Read More
L glutamine is an amino acid occurring abundantly within the... Read More
As much as we would like to deny it, the... Read More
It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a nutritional supplement derived from natural organic... Read More
A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More
Some say that the benefits of this all-natural HGH releaser... Read More
Nitric oxide is a free form gas produced by the... Read More
Free radicals and oxyradicals play an important role in the... Read More
GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More
Vitamins and minerals play a major role in becoming healthy... Read More
At the rate it's going, Saw Palmetto will soon be... Read More
Carboloading of a different variety.Saturday in Tucson before the 1982... Read More
There is a huge market when it comes to vitamins.... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More
Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola... Read More
Selenium is a type of trace mineral which supports healthy... Read More
When you buy acid amino arginine you can look forward... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More
Can you treat a headache or stomach ache externally, without... Read More
The food is the raw material for the body. Minerals... Read More
We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and... Read More
Researchers working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center state that... Read More
Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More
Most parents' think their children are eating a fairly healthy... Read More
As with most nutrients and minerals, zinc is often ignored... Read More
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid plays a supporting role in... Read More
At the present time, one out of ten adults have... Read More
Some say that the benefits of this all-natural HGH releaser... Read More
Iron supplement - why iron?Why people need to use iron... Read More
Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up... Read More
Best liquid calcium with boronNo longer is the search for... Read More
Vitamin supplement - why is it important?Vitamin supplement or supplements... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
Whey protein is a high quality powder made from cow's... Read More
Vitamins and Minerals Can Improve SleepTaking proper vitamins and minerals... Read More
Vitamins are the stars of the nutrition scene. Nutrition, the... Read More
A lot of people take vitamins A, C, B and... Read More
The science of Glycobiology, touted by the Massachusetts Institute of... Read More
When I first started down this path I was looking... Read More
Selenium is a type of trace mineral which supports healthy... Read More
Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More
Sports Supplement ? what is it?We are all aware of... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |