Omega-3: The Key To A Longer Life

The Problem

To maintain a healthy lifestyle we need a balanced diet that includes the Omega-3 fish oils as well as vitamins - minerals - amino acids - and various enzymes. Many are finding that they are not always able to source all of the foods needed to supply a full range of vital nutrients.

Due to the consumer demand for cheap and convenient foods, the food industry has been pressured from the farmer to the supermarket to mass produce our foods. From the mass production of livestock to the over planting of the fields, most all the foods that arrive at the factory doors or the produce shelves in our local supermarket are nutritionally deficient.

To further compound the 'nutritional gap' that has crept into our microchip driven lifestyles, vital food elements contained in fish have nearly disappeared altogether from our daily diets. Fishing restrictions and quotas has resulted in a serious deficiency of this once cheap and abundant food.

Because of the reduced consumption of fish in our diet, we are consuming less fatty acids. The initial reaction to this was positive, but the reality is that as we have learned more about foods and nutrition, we've discovered that not all fats are bad.

The Answer: Omega-3 Fish Oils

Research in this area has shown that oily fish (normally found in cold, deep water habitats) contain those fatty acids that are essential to our health. Fatty acids are basic units of fat molecules that are arranged as chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Fats are mixtures of different fatty acids that are not produced in our bodies and can only be supplied by absorption from the foods we eat. The Icelandic Health Omega-3 capsules contain highly polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are found in higher fat fish, such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon. It can also be found in high quantities of flax seeds, but the digestive system has a hard time breaking flax seed down in its raw form. (there goes some more of those precious stored enzymes) The term, Omega-3 refers to the numeric position of the first double carbon bond when counting from the methyl end of the molecule.

What is Omega-3

It is the fish oil rendered from deep water fish such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon. The oils are rendered into three forms known as:

Scientists have been most interested in the effects of the combinations of DHA and EPA.

The Research

William E. M. Lands published an article in 1992 giving an overview of his research into omega-3 fatty acids. It was found that for animals and children to grow normally, a small portion of their daily diet should contain the fatty acids found in cold water fish oils. He discovered that every cell in the body has components made of fatty acids, which means that these compounds are essential for optimum cellular health.

In September 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said, "supportive, but no conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary disease."

Further, it has been shown that Mediterranean and Inuit diets contain high levels of HDL (good cholesterol) due to the consumption of high quantities of fish containing the omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, the circulation of fatty materials (triglycerides - Bad Cholesterol) in the blood is significantly decreased. Fish oil supplements containing EPA and DHA have been shown to have a similar effect.

The Benefits

Cold Water fish oils have been tested and researched for many years and there are now many highly regarded clinical studies validating the benefits of taking this fatty acid as a supplement. Some of these benefits include:

There are also links to support the lowering of the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease when taking fish oil supplements.

There are also studies and evidence to support claims that children with autism are likely to benefit from supplementing their daily diets with fish oils rich in EPA an DHA fatty acids. Research has shown that there was improved cognition, sleep patterns, concentration, and general health. Dyslexia, which is said to be an autistic spectrum disorder, has been improved by diets that contain a daily intake of fish or high quality fish oil supplements.

In another study a group of people with schizophrenia and Huntingdon's disease experienced an increase in white and gray brain matter over those using a placebo - who lost cerebral tissue during the study. The ability of fish oil supplements to repair brain damage has given this fatty acid the name "Brain Food".

Currently the easiest way to increase your intake of DHA and EPA fatty aids is to include a fish oil supplement in your daily diet. When looking at various supplements, be sure to avoid confusing omega-3 fish oils with fish oils with DHA and EPA compounds added. There is a vast difference.

Getting the Best

The best oils come from fish that live in areas where there are little or no pollutants. Some fish oils have been known to contain heavy metals. Iceland Health supplements are manufactured under pharmaceutical standards of purity and are far superior to most of the fish oil supplements currently being marketed world-wide.

Another area of confusion is cod liver oil and omega-3 fish oil. Cod liver oils are made from the liver of the cod fish and are high in vitamin A. Fish oils, on the other hand, is made from the whole fish which results in a product that has a completely different nutritional value. Icelandic Health Omega-3 capsules are of the purest quality and recommended most often by health professionals for it's pharmaceutical grade quality.

While there are many fish oil supplements being sold in stores and online, many of which are less expensive, the quality of the Iceland Health product is so far superior to all the others that it is like comparing a Ford Pinto to a Ferrari...!!

Get the best, and experience the FULL impact of adding the Iceland Health product to your daily diet.