Quick Guide to Fish Oil Supplementation

Fish oil has been used as a nutritional supplement for many years. If you have ever heard people talk about cod liver oil, you have heard about one of the original sources of this oil. Granted, cod liver oil is a bit disgusting, but part of that is because of the contaminants that could be tasted when the English took the oil to cure their everyday ailments. It’s no longer the 18th century, but the benefits of this oil supplementation are still just as prevalent.

These days, you will find most fish oil from farmed salmon. Other fatty fishes include mackerel, trout, flounder, and tuna, but these fish are more likely to accumulate toxins in their bodies, like mercury, dioxin, and PCBs, because they are predatory and out in the wild. The reason farmed salmon are used is because people know that they haven’t been exposed to the toxins like wild fish have, and their oil is a safer bet for people.

Fish oil has become a very popular form of supplementation around the world because it contains Omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. These compounds have a number of important healing effects in people, including improving your brain function, which is based on the fact that the brain is made up of 60% DHA. They are also helpful in reducing the likelihood and symptoms of a number of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Finally, it is also said to help with depression and pregnancy.

While these benefits are nowhere near an exhaustive list, they do show just how versatile and important this oil. If you want to experience the full benefits of this oil supplementation, it would be a good idea to look for pharmaceutical-grade oil. While you could have fish everyday instead, it is difficult to ensure that what you consume doesn’t have any toxins in it, and the last thing you want to do is consume toxins on a daily basis, even in the name of health.

Right now, most people are focusing on the positive effects of fish oil, but there can be some negative effects if you aren’t careful. Overusing it is not recommended, because just like other things, it can be harmful in excess. You are benefitting from it because up to now, you have probably had a deficiency, but don’t go overboard. Another serious side effect of this oil is the possibility of excessive bleeding. It is also acts as a blood thinner, so even though you might look perfectly healthy on the outside, you could be at risk for bleeding out. If you take an extreme amount, you risk a hemorrhage.

And while increasing research suggests that fish oil has positive effects on heart disease patients, you are still cautioned to proceed with care. Fish oil is still fat, and animal fat is known to clog arteries, so you should be aware of the risks. Other than a few minor risks, however, this oil supplementation has a lot of benefits and you would be wise to pick up some pharmaceutical-grade oil and see for yourself.