The Arctic-dwelling Inuit can teach us much about fish oil and cholesterol. Did you know that scientists attribute the low rates of heart disease of the Inuit to their diet of fatty fish?
To understand more about fish oil and cholesterol we first need to understand about omega 3 fatty acids.
The two main omega 3s are DHA and EPA. DHA is taken up more readily by the brain than any other fatty acid and it is difficult for the body to manufacture it for itself. Your body can, however, manufacture EPA from DHA. So ideally we want both substances available in generous quantities to receive the full health benefits.
One of the greatest sources of the omega 3 fatty acids is fish oil, which comes from species such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines.
What do fatty acids have to do with cholesterol? Well, a number of clinical studies have shown that DHA and EPA can lower the levels of small, dense LDL particles. LDL is known as the 'bad cholesterol' and these particles are associated with heart disease.
However, omega 3s also increase the levels of HDL (the 'good cholesterol') and so improve general heart health.
In addition, research has shown that DHA and EPA lower blood triglycerides (fats), which are known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are now so well known that the American Heart Association recommends that everybody eat fish at least twice a week and that people at high risk of heart disease consider either a daily serving or a fish oil supplement.
Unfortunately, the waterways where many of the fatty fish species live can be contaminated with toxins and heavy metals. The disadvantages of eating a lot of these species could outweigh the benefits gained. A safer source is the New Zealand fish, hoki, which is harvested from the clean Southern Ocean.
Of course, it's not easy to eat large quantities of hoki, even if you live in New Zealand! So a better way to get your daily dose is by using supplements that have been made from this uncontaminated species.
So it's easy for us nowadays to put the Inuit lessons about fish oil and cholesterol into daily use. To find out more about the many health benefits of fish oil supplements and the best ones to buy, visit my website today.
About the Author
Therese Samson promotes natural approaches to health and well-being for the whole family and shares information about fish oil and cholesterol and the quality products she uses herself on her website.
Find out about the many ways omega 3 fish oil can improve heart, brain and skin health at Therese's website, http://www.my-omega-3.com
