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 Glenview ..Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More
The more I study health and fitness, the more convinced... Read More
At some time or another, most people have taken some... Read More
If you read my last article about bitter orange, it... Read More
It's never too late to change your habits, and if... Read More
Bovine Colostrum is the form of "milk" taken from dairy... Read More
Three Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sodium and... Read More
To supplement or not to supplement ? that is the... Read More
During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
For women, calcium is one of the most important nutrients... Read More
Coenzyme Q10 has exploded onto the health scene. This powerful... Read More
As much as we would like to deny it, the... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More
Health Supplement ? what is it?So what is a health... Read More
Ever wondered whether amino acid supplements really work? We reveal... Read More
Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be... Read More
Flavones are the latest big supplement to hit the market.... Read More
Not All Supplements are Created Equal. There are more supplements... Read More
Liquid vitaminsHardly does a day pass without the liquid vitamins... Read More
Will common sense ever prevail? We've all seen stories on... Read More
A long time ago, in the country far, far away,... Read More
Did you know that most store bought vitamins and minerals... Read More
house cleaning company Glencoe ..Actually, my headache is not the result of just thinking... Read More
Most healthy eaters are familiar with the three macronutrients that... Read More
L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More
Vitamin supplement - why is it important?Vitamin supplement or supplements... Read More
It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find... Read More
Our bodies change as we age, and to remain vigorous,... Read More
Hyaluronic acid has received much press lately as a natural... Read More
I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon... Read More
The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your BodyYour body is... Read More
1. What supplements do you take?A multivitamin, Glucosamine-MSM-Chondroitin, Odorless Garlic,... Read More
Do you spend at least some time in your day... Read More
Weight Lifting Supplement ? what is it?The term "weight lifting... Read More
Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in... Read More
A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More
With all of the exciting things people are seeing in... Read More
Most people are becoming more health conscious. Many of the... Read More
Looking for quality nutritional supplements can seem quite overwhelming at... Read More
Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More
It is clearly evident that hyaluronic acid in its oral... Read More
Bodybuilding supplements generally fall under the classification of dietary supplements,... Read More
Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it... Read More
Can you treat a headache or stomach ache externally, without... Read More
Although creatine offers an array of benefits, most people think... Read More
A naturally occurring compound, L-Glutathione (Tathion,) has demonstrated that it... Read More
Vitamin smoothies are a great way to enjoy a cold... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |