8 Things Fish Oil Does in the Body

You may have read that fish oil is a healthy supplement that can make a huge difference in your health. What does fish oil do for the body? It confers a number of benefits that can leave you a whole lot healthier for having taken it.

While it may seem that the promised benefits of fish oil are too good to be true, there is solid science behind it. The basic mechanism that brings about all the positive effects of taking fish oil is a balancing of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids.

The processed diet most people eat is too high in Omega-6 fatty acids and not high enough in Omega-3 fatty acids. This critical imbalance can lead to a number of health problems.

Supplementing with fish oil helps re-balance these two fatty acids in your body, which can greatly improve your health picture.

One of the primary effects of unbalanced fatty acids is an inflammatory response. Inflammation has been shown to be the source of a number of ailments including heart disease and autoimmune disorders. By re-balancing your fatty acids with fish oil, your body is better able to fight inflammation that may lead to serious illness or disability.

Another effect of an unbalanced Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio is its effect on your blood lipids. Blood lipids include triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins.

Supplementing with fish oil has been shown to improve blood lipid profiles by reducing triglycerides and low density lipoproteins while boosting beneficial high density lipoproteins.

There is an acid in fish oil called LHA that can help to increase the amount of a protein called LR11 in the body. LR11 is shown to decrease the build up of plaques that are toxic to the brain's neurons and are present in Alzheimer's disease. This same mechanism may also be helpful in treatment of other mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition. Because fish oil helps to fight inflammation in the body, supplementation may be beneficial for those suffering from all types of arthritis.

The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have been shown to slow down or prevent age-related macular degeneration. That's because fish oil is rich in DHA, which makes up 60% of the retina's fatty acids.

Additionally, improved circulation from a better blood lipid profile is beneficial to vision, which may also help to prevent macular degeneration.

Another inflammatory autoimmune condition is psoriasis. This visible skin inflammation can be helped greatly by the reduction of inflammation in the body that comes about with Omega-3 supplementation.

Fish oil supplementation is believed to prolong the lifespan of cells. That's because the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil prevent chromosomes from damage. This prolonged cell lifespan may have the overall effect of slowing the aging process throughout the body.

Can fish oil benefit you? Even if you are in excellent health, supplementing with fish oil can be an effective way to balance your ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids, improve your health picture and prevent illness. There are a number of quality fish oils at your local health food store. Why not try some and get started on a healthier lifestyle?