FACTS ABOUT COD LIVER OIL AND OMEGA 3

FISH OIL AND OMEGA SUPPLEMENTS

Most Omega 3 and fish oil supplements available in Kenya come in combination with Vitamins A, D and E

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound which acts as an antioxidant in the body. Antioxidants are substances that prevent damage to normal cells caused by free radicals-unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental changes and other pressures that are  encountered by our cells. Vitamin A maintains healthy eyes and skin. It is vital for growth and development of an unborn baby, cell recognition, vision, immune function, and reproduction and helps the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Vitamin D increases the uptake of calcium in the body which is necessary for strong bones. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin and brittle which might put one at risk of fractures. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis-a condition characterized by brittle bones which break easily. Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including control of cell growth, normal muscle and immune system function, and reduction of inflammation. Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D.Fish liver oils are among the best sources of vitamin D while small amounts of vitamin D are found in beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.Exposure to sunlight is highly recommended for more Vitamin D.

Vitamin E acts as an anti-oxidant and is key for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes

Cod liver oil is naturally rich in two essential omega-3 fatty acids – DHA and EPA, which helps to maintain the body’s metabolism and circulation as well as maintain overall health. It helps with normal brain development, heart health, allergy and asthma as well as fatigue.
They are commonly found in plant oils and from marine animals. Other sources of omega 3 include fish and eggs from chicken fed on DHA and EPA sources. Humans and other mammals are unable to synthesize omega 3 and can only be obtained through diet.

Seven seas is a rich source of omega 3 which has many benefits to the body:

HEART HEALTH

Omega 3 may improve heart health by:

• Decreasing triglycerides–High triglycerides may contribute to hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls (arteriosclerosis) — which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Extremely high triglycerides can also cause acute swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Lowering blood pressure slightly
• Reducing blood clotting-Omega 3 leads to reduced risk of blood clots because it helps prevent blood platelets from clumping together. Caution should be observed if you are taking anticoagulants. Talk to your pharmacist if you are on anticoagulants such as warfarin, xarelto, heparin and others.
• Decreasing your risk of strokes and heart failure risk.
• Reducing irregular heartbeats-People with higher-than-average levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood may be roughly 30 percent less likely than those with the lowest levels to develop arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

ALLERGY AND ASTHMA

Eating more omega-3 fatty acids may improve resistance to asthma. Several studies have demonstrated that dietary omega-3 fatty acids improve asthma symptoms in children. By reducing eosinophil activities, omega-3 fatty acids may help maintain lung function and prevent symptoms of asthma and allergy, including coughing, sneezing, and runny noses. Eosinophils are a type of disease-fighting white blood cells which indicates a parasitic infection or an allergic reaction.

Several studies have also showed that if pregnant women take omega 3 supplements, their children are less likely to develop asthma after birth. However, once asthma or an allergy has developed, it may take longer than 9 months of omega-3 fatty acid consumption to experience the health benefits.

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil play important roles in brain function and development. There are also claims that fish oil can improve brain function in people with memory problems, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairments. Omega seem to have important roles in the developing baby’s brain. In fact, several studies have correlated pregnant women’s fish intake or fish oil use with higher scores for their children on tests of intelligence and brain function in early childhood

Omega 3 fatty acids are also vital for the maintenance of normal brain function throughout life. They are abundant in the cell membranes of brain cells, preserving cell membrane health and facilitating communication between brain cells. Low levels of omega-3s may accelerate brain aging and contribute to deficits in brain function.

FATIGUE

Omega fatty acids have exhibited the ability to deal with fatigue.

CAUTION!!!

Talk to your pharmacist/Doctor if you are on anticoagulants-medicines that slows down the rate of blood coagulation.