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
maid service near Lake Forest ..Since its discovery in the late 1950???s Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)... Read More
Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More
The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals... Read More
Creatine is an amino acid that is in meat and... Read More
The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your BodyYour body is... Read More
I've been feeling a tired and slow lately. Just don't... Read More
A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More
It's never too late to change your habits, and if... Read More
For people who suffer from arthritis, dependable pain relief is... Read More
Many years ago I became convinced of the need to... Read More
Aging, a steady declineThe History of the world is filled... Read More
Sometimes I ask myself why this wonderful antioxidant supplement was... Read More
Supplement ? what is it?Supplement is a term that means... Read More
Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More
One of the questions that I frequently get asked is... Read More
A dose of vitamin C may give a quick boost... Read More
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body... Read More
With a high cholesterol and heart disease in the family,... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something... Read More
Vitamin C is important to all animals, including humans, because... Read More
If glyconutrients are for real, why aren't they all over... Read More
As I mentioned in Part 4 of my Real Health... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More
Vitamins and mineral supplements are a good way to supply... Read More
Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering... Read More
At some time or another, most people have taken some... Read More
With dietary supplements making their way in our daily life,... Read More
Fiber supplements can be tremendously beneficial for IBS sufferers. Although... Read More
A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More
We have all heard that it is important to eat... Read More
I have good news for you! The answer is both... Read More
I know protein is good for me, but do I... Read More
Fetuses and infants simply must get enough omega-3 oils for... Read More
Nutritional vitamin fiber supplements come in a variety of types,... Read More
Whey protein concentrate popularity has increased dramatically in recent years... Read More
Nitric oxide supplement has many benefits and there are many... Read More
The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your BodyYour body is... Read More
Liquid vitaminsHardly does a day pass without the liquid vitamins... Read More
It's never too late to change your habits, and if... Read More
Over recent years, mens herbal health care has become big... Read More
Three Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sodium and... Read More
Our bodies change as we age, and to remain vigorous,... Read More
Parents always tell their children to take their vitamins. Every... Read More
When I began to study nutrition, I too believed that... Read More
Calcium Supplement ? why calcium.Why is calcium supplement so important?... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Some fitness adherents are supplement crazy and spend money like... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |