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
no-contract cleaning service Mundelein ..Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual... Read More
Fitness Supplement ? what is it?The term "fitness supplement" is... Read More
Fetuses and infants simply must get enough omega-3 oils for... Read More
I often hear people say that they have smoked for... Read More
Zma is a unique combination of vitamins and minerals that... Read More
Herbal supplements have become hugely popular over the years, and... Read More
There is a secret vitamin in the neighborhood, wandering around... Read More
It's absolutely crucial that your body gets the nutrients it... Read More
Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the... Read More
You probably know that ladies who are planning on having... Read More
Ever wondered whether amino acid supplements really work? We reveal... Read More
Some say that the benefits of this all-natural HGH releaser... Read More
Best liquid calcium with boronNo longer is the search for... Read More
It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More
Since ancient time bee pollen has been considered as an... Read More
Coenzyme Q10 has exploded onto the health scene. This powerful... Read More
Sports Supplement ? what is it?We are all aware of... Read More
1. What supplements do you take?A multivitamin, Glucosamine-MSM-Chondroitin, Odorless Garlic,... Read More
I finally bought the stuff. I couldn't resist anymore. After... Read More
Many people take amino acids for height growth these days.... Read More
If you think that smoking is a harmless little hobby... Read More
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid plays a supporting role in... Read More
The more I study health and fitness, the more convinced... Read More
Colloidal Silver might just be a wonderful thing and here's... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies use, in very... Read More
maid service near Glenview ..Protein Supplement ? whey protein.Why is protein supplement important? Protein... Read More
What Is Thiamin?Known as Vitamin B1, thiamin was the very... Read More
Nitric Oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the body,... Read More
Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More
Herbal Supplement ? what is it?So what is an herbal... Read More
When you buy acid amino arginine you can look forward... Read More
You probably know that ladies who are planning on having... Read More
When looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy... Read More
Did you know that most store bought vitamins and minerals... Read More
Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More
Lipovarin ReviewSince the ban on ephedra based products in April... Read More
1. What supplements do you take?A multivitamin, Glucosamine-MSM-Chondroitin, Odorless Garlic,... Read More
Both types of unsaturated fatty acids are contained within neuronal... Read More
A ranch house, a zip lock bag and some ordinary... Read More
Should I Take Vitamins With My Low Carb Diet?Most low... Read More
Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from... Read More
It's absolutely crucial that your body gets the nutrients it... Read More
It is well known and scientifically proven that vitamins and... Read More
A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More
As I mentioned in Part 4 of my Real Health... Read More
Mineral Supplement ? be healthy.Why is mineral supplement so important?... Read More
I came across an article written by Dr. Ray Strand,... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Finding out a little about amino acid basics enables you... Read More
Ecdysterone is a powerful compound that can help to maximise... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |