 |
Omega3s - Going Fishing for Fish Oils
Author: Dr. Brett Saks  | Posted: 19-02-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 55 | Rating: (53)  (?) 
 Have you heard? Fish oil supplements are being recommended for everyone! Believe a lot of the hype, with my usual caveats!
Fish oil and whole, un-processed oils in general are just what the doctor ordered. Especially coming out of our 30 year "fat fast" where Americans avoided as much fat as possible, it is good to hear that we can add some good, healthy fats into our diet. There's been increasing media attention being paid to the use of omega-3 fish oils (The Today Show, January 31, 2007), and even primary care providers are recommending them for their patients.
Fish oils have been proven to lower our risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Why is fish oil important?
As with a variety of fats, our body requires a significant amount to survive. In many of my articles and in my book, I discuss the "exchange of life"; the process by which water, oxygen and nutrients are brought into each of our 100 trillion cells and how carbon dioxide, wastes and toxins are moved out of the cells. This process must flow freely in order for our cells and our bodies to be healthy.
The cell membrane, made up of mostly fats, is at the center of this exchange process. These membranes are like its skin: a protective barrier that is selective about what it lets in and out; the softer and more supple it is, the more functional and more beautiful we are, inside and out!
Stress, toxicity, poor diet, poor rest/sleep and poor water intake can all cause the cell membranes in our bodies to be come rigid and prematurely aged. The more rigid and unhealthy our cell membranes, the more likely we are to suffer from symptoms like lethargy, aches/stiffness, headaches and more. Left uncorrected, symptoms can lead to more serious concerns of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic pain and even chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Don't fret!
By improving our lifestyle and getting the proper amount of healthy fats into our diet, we can create soft, supple, healthy cell membranes. This is the path to truly regaining and maintaining our health.
All sounds pretty good so far, right? Well, actually it is. So what are my caveats?
1. While I most often recommend patients get the nutrients they need directly from their source (in this case by eating fish), I actually do not recommend patients eat fish 2-3 times per week. Because of the reports of fish contamination, especially with mercury, it is not a good idea to eat fish too often. A couple of servings per month is plenty.
2. Don't just use fish oils. Current medical research indicates the VARIETY of fats in the diet is as important as what types and how much. There are many healthy, delicious oils out there for you. There's the classic olive and sunflower oils, but what about the nut oils? Almond, walnut, sesame and peanut (actually a legume) oil are all excellent choices. These oils will improve the health and flexibility of your cells' membranes all while highly satisfying your taste buds!
You can and should use a small to moderate amount of more saturated (thicker) oils like butter (organic when possible) and coconut oil. Again, the body needs a variety of fats. Too many of the same kind of fat can lead to imbalanced cellular membranes and can also degrade our health. Healthy oils are always sold in glass bottles or in the large metal cans, like olive oil. Oils sold in plastic are a no-no, as the packaging indicates that the oils are over-processed and not very healthy for you.
3. Avoid processed, trans or hydrogenated fats. These fats have been processed and altered in ways that make them unhealthy to the body. This includes margarine, processed butter substitutes, cheap vegetable oils (in plastic containers) and foods fried in hydrogenated oils (chips, snacks, restaurant fried foods).
4. Cook with fats and oils as little as possible. Heating fats can damage (denature) them, making them less or un-usable in the body. I suggest cooking with just enough to keep food from sticking to the pot/pan and then adding the oil to the food on your plate like a condiment. This is not a new concept, as it is done in many countries throughout the world.
So how much oil do I need in a day, doc?
Well, that is different for everyone. As part of my Bio-Logikal Diet, I am able to calculate how much fat a person needs in a day and we build it into their meal plan. Most people need 2-3 servings (teaspoons) of fresh, pure oil daily.
Choose your oil supplements with care. The toxicity that may be present in fish may spill over into supplements if the manufacturer isn't taking the utmost care to purify them out, and without damaging the oil. Only use a fish oil product from a manufacturer that provides specific information on their purity specifications.
Fish oil can also present a problem with flavor. Manufacturers are using different natural flavorings to conceal the taste of fish that might "repeat" or be "burped". Flavorings must be strong to conceal the fish flavor (lemon, orange, strawberry) and often patients burp up the flavor taste instead. Therefore, I strongly recommend using an "enteric coated" fish oil product. This natural (extra) coating process allows the softgel to move through the stomach and into the small intestine where it opens and is absorbed. This minimizes or eliminates the "repeating" and makes taking this kind of supplement much more rewarding. The enteric coating process is a bit expensive, so you will see EC products are a bit higher in cost, but worth it in my opinion.
I recommend Terra-EPA, a highly purified, enteric coated fish oil (600 EPA/400 DHA). I am also increasingly recommending our Terra-EFA which contains a combination of fish, flax and borage oils all blended together in a softgel capsule.
In health,
Dr. Brett Saks
DrSaks.com
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/omega3s-going-fishing-for-fish-oils-106960.html
About the Author:Dr. Brett Saks is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD), Author, Lecturer, and Health & Wellness Coach. His book "The Bio-Logikal Diet: Your Guide to Optimal Health" helps readers develop the knowledge to make better, more informed lifestyle choices that they can implement in their daily lives. For more information about Dr. Saks products and services, or to order a copy of his book, please visit his all new website at DrSaks.com
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Patients With Patience
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 19/02/2007 | Health
We live in an on-demand society. Food, entertainment, communication-everything is at the touch of our fingertips. For many, it's increasingly difficult to appreciate a "natural process"-like the time it takes to read a good book, or to plant a vegetable garden.
We all love the conveniences, but life should never be...
Weight Loss Foods - Worth the Weight
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 19/02/2007 | Health
Our weight weighs heavily on our minds, and it should. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese says the American Obesity Association. That means two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third are obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Healthy (wo)man Walking
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 19/02/2007 | Health
Don't consider walking from the fax machine to the copier as exercise, it isn't! Because we have to walk as part of our regular day, walking is often overlooked as a viable form of exercise. Walking doesn't have the flash or mystique of a spinning or yoga class, but it...
Fish Oil Capsules Benefits
By: Robert Paris | 14/02/2006 | Health
Fish oil capsules are said to be a great source of omega 3 fatty acids that help the health of many, reducing the chances of getting cardiovascular disease.
Some Options for Those With Crohn's Disease
By: David Cowley | 03/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Crohn's disease is usually considered an autoimmune disease and can actually affect any area of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. This is why symptoms are different for each sufferer and individual. Most doctors believe that it has genetic origins since it seems to run in families and appears to be inherent in many cases.
Could That Pain Possibly be Gout
By: David Cowley | 03/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Gout is a disease in which there is a buildup of uric acid, formed into crystals, which get deposited in the cartilage of joints or tendons, and even surrounding tissue. This causes these areas of the body to become inflamed and swollen, as with other forms of arthritis. While gout can really occur in any joint of the body, it usually attacks the big toe first, followed by the ankle, heel, knee, wrist, elbows, and even the spine.
Finding Natural Osteoporosis Treatments
By: David Cowley | 03/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Osteoporosis is a disease that attacks the integrity of the bone structure. This can lead to bone weakness and eventual fractures. Unfortunately many people don't know that they have this condition until a bone actually breaks.
The New Era of Personalized Nutrition & Skin Care
By: Johnmark Ridings | 30/06/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
This science would be a breakthrough because more than 100,000 people die each year as a result of adverse responses to medications that are beneficial to thousands of other individuals. 2.2 million People experience serious reactions and others don’t respond at all. Nutritional companies have known for years that their products are not effective for as many as 2/3rds of their customers. This is because nutritional products are formulated for the average person-but who is average? Are you?
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Chest pain
By: Kolasmom | 13-07-2008
do you get heartburn only after a meal
Can Bragg's Vinegar help reduce the inflammation ...
By: mirico5 | 13-07-2008
Can Bragg's Vinegar help reduce the inflammation of gout?
Do i have a problem??
By: eica :) | 12-07-2008
well ive lost a lot of weight over this summer so now im under weight not by a ton but idk i havent been doing anything to lose weight really but all the time im thinking about how much weight i could lose and like when i look in the mirror when i suck in and see my ribs for some reason i wish i were that skinny...i know its bad and i dont want an eating disorder but like idk :/ and instead of eating sometimes i fake im not hungry not skipping meals though like i just forget about it and i dont like eating in front of people so basically my conscious is sort of "helping" me lose this weight because im so afraid of gaining it oh btw im 14 about 5"4' and weigh 103.5
Is flouride harmful to skin? if toothpaste ...
By: babette | 12-07-2008
is flouride harmful to skin? if toothpaste containing flouride is put on skin to dry up acne, is there a danger?
Cervical cancer
By: nananotnats | 12-07-2008
I was woundering if anyone has had cervical cancer and what there symptoms were? I have been experiencing dryness, swelling and pain during sex and last night I had some pinkish blood and didn't know why. I had precancer 4 years ago and was treated and have had normal paps since but due for a pap this month. Please any help on this would be appreciated. Thank you,Marilyn
Norpace
By: joan | 12-07-2008
can i stop norpace abruptly? I've been taking 600 mg per day. Can I safely taper to 300 mg per day and stop altogether after a few days? What will happen if I stop altogether without tapering off?
Q&A Powered by: 
More from Dr. Brett Saks
Blood Type and Diet – Weight Loss & Optimal Health
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 13/06/2008 | Nutrition
In January 1997, I received a copy of Dr. Peter D'Adamo's (son of James D'Adamo) book "Eat Right For Your Type". It contained detailed information about each of the four blood types A, B, AB, and O along with new information about how and why blood type and diet are correlated. The book blew me away with the decades of patient observations and results combined with the scientific research to back it up.
Food Additives - the Consequences
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 08/05/2008 | Nutrition
Considerable controversy has been associated with the potential threats and possible benefits of food additives. There are literally thousands of chemical additives used in our food today, and scores of those are considered to be harmful elements. A brief discussion of the more popular additives will serve to illustrate potential health problems, and hopefully will help you begin thinking about avoiding these harmful substances.
Blood Type and Diet – Weight Loss & Optimal Health
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 24/03/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Dr. D’Adamo was a Naturopathic physician who practiced in Canada for decades. In the pages of his book I learned about his observations that there is a direct correlation to human blood and diet! Each of his chapters was followed by an anecdotal story describing people from all walks of life who followed his suggestions and rid themselves of some of the worst health problems known to humans.
Healthy (wo)man Walking
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 19/02/2007 | Health
Don't consider walking from the fax machine to the copier as exercise, it isn't! Because we have to walk as part of our regular day, walking is often overlooked as a viable form of exercise. Walking doesn't have the flash or mystique of a spinning or yoga class, but it...
Weight Loss Foods - Worth the Weight
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 19/02/2007 | Health
Our weight weighs heavily on our minds, and it should. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese says the American Obesity Association. That means two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third are obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Patients With Patience
By: Dr. Brett Saks | 19/02/2007 | Health
We live in an on-demand society. Food, entertainment, communication-everything is at the touch of our fingertips. For many, it's increasingly difficult to appreciate a "natural process"-like the time it takes to read a good book, or to plant a vegetable garden.
We all love the conveniences, but life should never be...
|
|
Health 
