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There are a wide range of Omega 3 fish oil health benefits.  Some of these benefits are noticed immediately and some take longer to show.  

We personally were able to see immediate effects in some family members.  People with persistent health problems are in need of omega 3 fish oils because their body needs to be strong to fight diseases, infections, viruses and so on.

My dad who struggles with dementia was put on omega 3s as soon as he was diagnosed with this disease. However, taking these prior to these problems would have been a beneficial prevention strategy.  This is why it is extremely important to inform yourself.  It is important to recognize your deficiencies and the causes for these deficiencies.  Prevention is better than intervention.

Signs of Omega 3 Deficiency

First of all, let's dive into some signs that are common among people deficient in omega 3s.  These will help guide you as you explore the benefits below.

• Very Dry Skin and Rashes
• Memory Problems
• Learning Problems
• ADHD Symptoms
• Bumpy Skin
• Cold Hands and Feet
• Moodiness and Anger Episodes

High Quality Omega 3 Fish OiLS

It is important that the omega 3 fatty acids that you purchase are of the highest standards.  Fish oils can go rancid.  I refrigerate mine.  We have used both the capsules and the liquid oil.  I prefer the liquid oil for absorption and because it can be easily mixed into drinks.

There are 2 sizes of capsules available in one particular brand that we like.  This option has been very helpful with one of my kids who does not like to swallow big supplements.

Dosing does need to be higher for some individuals than others.  Often times higher amounts need to be used for people that are very deficient in this nutrient.  Also, EPA and DHA, (the long chained polyunsaturated fatty acids), ratios vary and are something to be aware of when looking for a supplement.  To find which would be best for you, consult a doctor or knowledgeable professional that you trust in this field.

#1   Nordic Natural Omega 3 

This is Cod Liver Oil.  We use this one in particular and mix it into a drink for easy consumption.

#2   Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Mini Capsules

These are mini capsules for easy swallowing.  We used 2 in order to get the right dosing four us.

#3   Carlson lab Omega 3

Another high standard fish oil company.

#4  Wiley's Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil

This fish oil is made from wild Alaskan pollock.  There website goes into extensive depth on where the fish come from and how safe it is to use in their oils.

#5  Vegan Option- Zinzino

This is a high-quality vegan fish oil.  This company also sells fish-based omega 3 oils that are also to a high standard.  The price point is high, but the process used to ensure the oils are best absorbed into the body is extensive.

Enzyme helpful in Fat Digestion

Fats can be hard for the body to break down and digest.  Since omega 3 is a fat oil, these enzymes are helpful. Read further below for more information regarding this.

Disclaimer:  No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor, a qualified clinician or other qualified health care professional.

#1  Joint Health

Joint health is important to maintain. Many people suffer from arthritis, which in definition is disease of the joint that causes pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a specific type of arthritis.  This type of arthritis occurs when the tissues of the joint are attacked by a weakened immune system. The joint lining is destroyed causing deuteration of the bone.

Supplementing with omega 3s help the joint pain by reducing inflammation.  This in turn causes less pain for the individual.  Also, relief obtained is dependent on the severity of the arthritis and the individual.  However, this fatty acid supplement has proven to be beneficial for many with this autoimmune disorder.

Studies have shown that taking omega 3s slows down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.  There have been trials performed showing that the intake of these fish oils have allowed patients to be taken off of medication with the right dosing.  However, more studies need to be performed to confirm these findings.

#2  Eye Health

Studies have shown that those at risk for eye problems and who consumed higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids were less likely to have eye health issues. 

The EPA and DHA in Omega 3 all show to be beneficial for eye health. The eye disease positively effected by taking these fats are glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.  There is a high amount of DHA in the retinal photoreceptors of the eye and DHA therefore plays an important part in retina health.

We are not able to make omega 3 on our own, so you need to make sure you are eating foods or taking supplements that will supply you with these nutrients.  See above to view the recommendations for getting these nutrients.

#3  Inflammation

When working properly, inflammatory properties are essential for protecting the body.  However, when the inflammation signaling is not functioning the right way, many problems arise.

Chronic inflammation takes place when the body cannot maintain a proper inflammatory response. This is where Omega-3s can be helpful.  Studies have shown a decrease in inflammatory cells after using fish oils for several weeks or months.  

Adult mice fed an inefficient amount of omega 3 fatty acids to maintain a healthy inflammatory response in the brain were shown to be more vulnerable to memory and other deficits in the brain.  

Too much inflammation causes body pain, dry and irritated skin conditions, vision problems, mood disorders, negatively affect ADHD symptoms, cause memory problems and many autoimmune conditions.  You can check out a similar post on how omega 3s can benefits ADHD by clicking the link below.

Related Post:  How To Help A Child With ADHD

We personally use Cod Liver Oil daily to maintain a healthy intake of these nutrients.  It is easy to incorporate into a water or a shake.

#4  Brain Health

Both Omega 3s and Omega 6s are crucial to the health of the brain.  The lipids in the brain rely on several functions in the body to be working well in order for proper neuron functioning to happen. The brain and nerve tissue in the body is made up of over 60 percent DHA, which shows its dependence on this fatty acid.

If a part of the body is at risk or not working correctly, such as the liver, then PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are not distributed properly to the brain. 

The brain lipid pathways are changed in neurological disorders.  A lower amount in omega 3s shows increases cognitive problems. Therefore, keeping the brain in good health is vital.

Additionally, Omega 3 fatty acids offer the brain relief from inflammation.  Inflammation is beneficial and necessary if there is an infection because it causes the body to release cytokines to defend the body against harmful pathogenic invaders.  However, these cytokines become toxic to the brain and kill off neurons if the amount of cytokines is too great.  The polyunsaturated fats help keep brain inflammation in balance.

#5  Skin Benefits 

Omega 3 essential fatty acids have positive effects on the skin in many ways from helping dermatitis to healing wounds.  These nutrients are powerful and impressive when it comes to skin health.

Induced dermatitis has been shown to improve in rats after being fed omega 3s- view this here.  The skin barrier improved due to this supplement's anti-inflammatory properties.

Also, dry and bumpy skin is a sign of deficiency in this fatty acid.  Fish oil aids in healthy skin glow and skin barrier.

These supplements have also been shown to help with wound healing.  Cytokine activity can be managed better with the consumption of omega 3s.  Cytokine overactivity is harmful and omega 3s are able to keep these inflammatory obstacles in check.  Overall, skin repair improves when these fatty acids are taken.

#6  Omega 3s For Mood

The DHA and EPA in Omega 3s help neurotransmitters bind to receptors too.  This allows cells to communicate properly within the nervous system.  Since the neurotransmitters are important in mood regulation, if these neurotransmitters are not working right, moods such as depression, anger, anxiety, focus problems and so forth will show up.

Inflammation in the brain has been associated with changes in mood and behavior.  Inflammation has been reported in the peripheral part of the brain in individuals with PTSD or bipolar disorder. Also, increased cytokine production has been seen in people with depression.  Studies show that the increase of omega 3s has been beneficial in helping with all of these disorders.

If your gallbladder is congested due to health issues, then these fats may need to be introduced slowly.  Fats are processed in the gallbladder, and the enzyme lipase breaks down the fats.  Supplementing this enzyme into your diet is something to consider if this is problematic for you.  See a professional with a clinical background for advise on dosing. Here is an effective enzyme to help with this.

We have noticed a big difference with mood in our family.  Mood greatly improved after one family member began a regimen that included omega 3 fish oils.  Other supplements were included in the mix to contribute to this. However, on several occasions when just the omega 3 fish oil was missed for a day at the beginning of taking them, a significant mood difference was noticed each time.  I honestly cannot believe how impactful these fatty acids are.

#7   Cardiovascular Health and Omega 3 Fatty Acids

According to this article, studies have been conducted showing improvement of heart function after taking omega 3 supplements. Studies have also been done on large populations that eat a significant amount of fish in their diet.  These groups have lower heart problems and prove to be at lower risk for cardiovascular disease.

These fatty acids provide the heart with many benefits.  These benefits include reduction of inflammatory markers,  decreased blood clotting, a decrease in triglyceride levels and a higher amount of good cholesterol levels, as well as a lesser the amount of plaque build up on the artery walls.

This post is all about 7 amazing Omega 3 fish oil health benefits.