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Omega-3 And Weight Loss

December 18, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

If you have made the decision to lose weight, you probably would like to see results as quickly and effectively as possible. Most experts will agree that the safest way to weight loss is through a combination of a healthy, low-calorie diet combined with a daily program of physical activity. But what if you have already implemented these two elements into your daily lifestyle? Is there another way to increase your edge and set you on a more direct path to achieve your weight loss goals? There has been much written recently about the link between omega-3 fatty acids and weight loss results. The evidence has been compelling, and suggests that omega-3 promotes weight loss, whether in the form of supplements, or increasing the intake of food that contains this essential fatty acid.

What is Omega-3?
Omega-3 is considered an essential fatty acid that the body does not produce, but must receive from an outside source. The best way to get omega-3 fatty acids into your body is through eating a diet that is rich in canola oil, walnuts, and a variety of fish, including salmon, sardines, tuna and herring. The other way to increase your intake of the omega-3 fatty acid is to take fish oil supplements, which can be found in most pharmacies and health food stores.

While it has been known for some time that this essential fatty acid was beneficial in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, questions began to arise over a connection between omega-3 and weight loss. It made sense that if omega-3 fatty acids lowered cholesterol and helped to control blood sugar levels, that it would be beneficial for dieters as well.

Studies on Omega-3 And Its Effects With Fat Loss
The next step was for researchers to study the link between them in controlled, clinical studies. Most of the results of these studies have shown that people who take fish oil supplements or eat a diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids had a significant increase in weight loss amounts than those who did not.

Most of the researchers that have studied this link between omega-3 and weight loss will stress the importance of combining the intake of omega-3 fatty acids with a low-calorie, healthy diet and a regular exercise program. However, if you are having trouble losing weight due to genetic factors, a slow metabolism or other factors, taking an omega-3 supplement can increase the effectiveness of your diet and exercise efforts.

The research has shown that omega-3 assists in weight loss by keeping insulin levels in the body low. This is why this supplement is also very helpful for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes. When insulin levels in the body are high, it inhibits the body from burning fat for fuel, allowing the fat to remain in the storehouses of the body and keeping weight up as well. Lower insulin levels will make the body burn the excess fat within for fuel, speeding the rate of weight loss. If you are about to begin a weight loss program of any kind, taking a fish oil supplement or increasing the amount of omega-3 foods in your diet will give you an advantage in achieving your goals.

How much Omega-3 for Fat Loss?
Many health care professionals will recommend a daily intake of 3000 to 4000 mg. of standardized fish oil. This translates into two or three servings of cold-water fish each week or fish oil capsules that will equal this dosage amount. There are side effects that some folks experience when taking the Fish Oil supplements, such as flatulence and diarrhea. These issues can be greatly reduced by taking a time-release version of the capsules.

The fish oil supplements can also interact with some types of medications, so it is important to talk to your doctor before beginning any type of supplement regimen. However, if you are looking for a way to see results with your diet and exercise program, omega-3 and weight loss may be a link that you want to consider.

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Fish Oil Supplements And Your Diet

December 16, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

Eating a healthy well balanced diet is so important these days especially for growing children. So many people get caught up in daily life that they find themselves eating fast foods and buying pre-packaged foods that are filled with preservatives and too many words we cannot pronounce. We see numerous stories on television promoting this vitamin or that supplement that and which can be pretty confusing for the average consumer. One thing that hasn’t changed though is how important and essential some of the fats and nutrients from fish are to our bodies. While some people are leery of toxins and mercury that could be found in some fish others are extremely allergic. With these facts in hand there is much to be said about supplementing the American diet with safe pharmaceutical grade fish oil.

You’ve probably heard the term “omega fatty acids” in association to healthy foods or a well balanced diet. EPA and DHA are both omega-3 fatty acids that are found in most of the fish we eat. Some fish that are high in these particular fatty acids are salmon, cod liver, and mackerel. Unfortunately, most people don’t consume nearly enough omega fatty acids, and low levels of DHA and EPA maybe been linked to such disorders as depression, bi-polar disorder, and even ADHD. Consuming large amounts of specific fish has can be associated with dangerously high levels of mercury and other toxins.

Supplementing your diet with pharmaceutical grade fish oil could benefit you in many ways. It can be harvested from fish in very cold waters in only precise parts of the world where environmental and human hazards are at a minimum, providing you with the purest form of the essential aspects of Fish Oil. When choosing a pure, quality fish oil, research the company’s guidelines to remove toxins ensuring they follow strict procedures.

Pregnant and nursing women should be particularly interested in a fish oil supplement because it may help growing fetuses and nursing infants develop essential brain functions associates with memory. DHA is also one of the main ingredients listed in infants’ formula as an essential element for growing babies. The omega fatty acid EPA has its own set of benefits. It may help with heart disease, lowering bad cholesterol, and improve some skin conditions!

It is true that the average American doesn’t consume enough of the right foods containing omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and certain plant matter to possibly help in brain growth and function. To ensure that our bodies are getting adequate amounts of the elements it needs, eating 2-3 servings of omega rich fish a week or supplementing the correct dosage of pharmaceutical grade fish oil could greatly impact your brains ability to function at its highest level as well as help with a myriad of other health and wellness benefits being researched today.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Health Benefits and Dietary Sources of Omega 3

December 7, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for human body. They reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, eases blood circulation, reduce blood triglyceride level and lessen chances of heart attack. Recent studies reveal that Omega-3 fatty acids can help cure rheumatoid arthritis and depression. Omega 3 analogues are fat burners; hence, they help to get rid of those extra pounds too!

Omega 3 fatty acids are effective recuperation supplements for muscle stiffness and DOMS caused by bodybuilding, workout, new exercise techniques, strain and change of sports activity.

Dietary Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Human body cannot synthesize Omega 3 fatty acids; hence one must obtain it from food. Common dietary sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are fish, meat, eggs, flax such as linseed, chia sage, cowberry etc. Among them fish is the most popular source of essential oils.

Cold water oily fishes contain high amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA, most effective Omega 3 variants, are present in high quantity in small fishes from the South Pacific. Oils of wild fishes such as anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel etc. contain purer omega-3s than farmed fishes and larger fishes. Tuna, another oily fish, contains lesser amount of essential oils too.

However, consuming oily fishes might accumulate heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and fat-soluble pollutants such as dioxins, PCBs and pesticides up the food chain. That’s why modern dieticians and health experts suggest omega-3 capsules. Manufacturers of these supplements perform certain purity tests to make them free from harmful elements.

How are Omega-3 supplement capsules made?
Omega-3 capsules are taken for workout recovery and recuperation of muscle stiffness or DOMS mainly. These capsules contain pure omega-3s. Pharmacists extract omega-3 fatty acids from wild fishes and then take the extracted oil through certain purity tests to make them free from heavy metals and fat-soluble pollutants.

The extraction process is very crucial as it determines that quality of the supplement. Some pharmaceutical companies use chemicals or apply excessive heat to extract the oil. Traces of solvents are often found to be present in the finished products. And isomeric byproducts are formed under high temperature and remain in the fatty acids as impurity.

Supercritical fluid technologies of bioseutica have the ability to extract purest omega-3s. This process does not apply chemical based solvents or heat, it extracts oil under pressure. Hence, the extracted oil is free from chemicals and isomeric byproducts.

Moreover, this process employs a series of purity tests to make the omega-3 products free from heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury, oxidation products such as peroxides and fat-soluble pollutants such as PCBs, dioxins and pesticides.

Why is Purity Test necessary?
Natural dietary sources of omega-3s are not pure and possess health risks. Supplements are good for health; however, you should know the method used by the manufacturers to extract oil from fishes. As mentioned above, the extraction process defines the quality of the product.

The oil must not contain heavy metals, oxides and pollutants. If you take omega-3 capsule to recover from DOMS or muscle inflammation and end up accumulating pollutants, you will be in a trouble. Be a responsive consumer and take healthy omega-3 supplements.

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Fish Oil for Rheumatoid Arthritis – The Secret Weapon

November 10, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

Do you have red puffy sore joints? I’m feeling for you ..

A have a secret weapon I use for rheumatoid arthritis and it works a treat. Its fish oil and it gives great relief.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful chronic disorder that causes the cartilage and other tissue around the bone to become inflamed and damaged causing extreme discomfort to the sufferer. In rheumatoid arthritis the immune system attacks the bodies own joints and tissue this is called the autoimmune reaction joint pain and stiffness make the sufferer uncomfortable and inhibits them to do things they enjoy.

So can fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis help?
Studies have been shown that people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and take fish oil supplements daily have found that general stiffness in their joints was a lot less and the redness and puffiness was less severe.. This result was after taking fish oil supplement or oil over a period of a few months.

So what fish oil should I use?
Here is a simple step checklist before buying a fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis:
- Look for a fish oil supplement rich in omega-3 and a higher level of DHA
Look for a fish oil that has the suppliers certificate of analysis (COA.) on the label or on there website. Make sure the oxidation levels are low.
- Is the Fish Oil been purified/molecularly distilled? The Molecular distillation will allow the oils to be set apart from the bad contaminants. Leaving the rich, healthy golden omega 3 oils that can then be encapsulated into soft gels for easy swallowing.
- What is the species of fish used for this oil? You want to make sure the handling of the fish after being harvested is done correctly and also the right care has been taken in the oil storage to ensure you receive a quality oil product.
- It only takes a few minutes to look online and see if the fish oil you buy have all this information on there website or on the fish oil label, if not then find a fish oil supplement that does.
- Find out where the fish used for this oil has been caught. Is the oceans they have been harvested from polluted or pristine?

It really pays to do a little research in fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis .You want the best oil high in DHA and omega -3 and a fresh quality product that will give the best results .

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Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements – Using Oil In Ester Form

November 5, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

Loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, the benefits of fish oil supplements are numerous. Known for the positive effect it has on heart health, joints and the brain, omega 3 is one of the latest buzzwords in a healthy diet. Because the body does not naturally produce this vitally important compound, it needs to be obtained through foods or supplements.

While many people believe the best source of omega 3 is in plant foods such as walnuts or flax seed, they may be unaware that there are two different types. Plants produce short chain omega 3’s, however, the long chain version of this compound contains DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), which have been proven to provide more abundant health benefits. DHA and EPA are known as essential fatty acids (EFA’s).

Fish is the best source of these beneficial fatty acids. However given the influx of deadly toxins that are carried by fish, it is recommend they only be consumed one to two times a week. Given this fact it is difficult to get adequate amounts of omega 3 in our diets. Thankfully, fish oil supplements can safely help to make up the omega 3 shortfall.

If you have no serious health conditions, you need about 1000 mgs of omega 3 daily. This means in order to see the benefits of fish oil supplements you should take two 500 mg soft gels daily.

What Are The Health Benefits?
With the American Heart Association recommending that everyone increase their intake of omega 3, the health benefits of Fish Oil are numerous. Studies have shown that a diet filled with omega 3 fatty acids helps improve cardiovascular health, immune response, anti inflammatory action, brain function, vision, joint function and mobility and skin. In addition, with more than 100,000 scientific studies published on the benefits of fish oil supplements, and fish oil, it is a wonder that everyone does not include it in their diet.

The Superiority Of Fish Oil In Ester Form
Most people have not heard of the ester form of fish oil, largely because it is so expensive to manufacture. There is only a handful of manufacturers out there which produce fish oil in ester form. From a bioavailability point of view it is the most superior form of fish oil. Fish oil is usually manufactured in triglyceride form, and while still beneficial, it cannot be readily absorbed until the body converts it to ester form. In triglyceride form, the oil has a difficult time passing through the cell membranes, thus the body sees significantly less of its benefits. By contrast, if the oil is converted to an ester form during the manufacturing process it is easily able to enter cell membranes, allowing the body to use it as instant energy, or store it for later use.

Ensuring Purity
Because of toxicity issues with most cold-water fish, it is crucial to research where the fish, from which the oil is harvested, are derived from. The majority of lakes in the northern hemisphere have heavy levels of mercury, PCB’s and other contaminates. Because of this, most fish oils are imported and transported a considerable distance before they are made into a capsule form. Given their long trek, additives must be put into the oil so that it will not spoil during the journey. In order to ensure that the oil you are using as pure it is important to use a product that has been molecularly distilled to filter out contaminates, impurities and additives.

Benefits of fish oil supplements – The Importance Of DHA
DHA is the more important Omega 3 fatty acid. It is believed to constitute the ‘building blocks’ of the brain. In addition it has been shown to provide greater cardiovascular benefits than EPA and is more effective at boosting ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and lowering the levels of dangerous triglycerides in the blood. Because of this, DHA content should be one of your main considerations when comparing fish oil brands and you should aim for at least 250mg. The average industry standard is 120mg of DHA but this is way too low to produce the health benefits associated with this amazing EFA.

While the benefits of fish oil supplements are many, it is important to remember that they are not all created equal. When looking for a quality supplement, make sure it is the highly superior ester form, has been molecularly distilled and contains at least 250mg (and preferable more) of DHA.

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Vitamins for People with Diabetes

September 29, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

Vitamins are important to sustain life and we need to take the required amounts from our daily foods or dietary supplements. The benefits they offer help people feel more energetic, and assist the body in its regular functions.

As a diabetic patient is not able to get all the required nutrition from diet because of impaired functioning of the system, some vitamins may be required to take together with the regular medication. But, before taking any vitamin supplements, it is important to check with a physician for what affect it may have upon diabetes.

The following are some of the important vitamins for diabetics.

Vitamin E
Individuals with diabetes need extra vitamin E, which improves insulin activity and acts as an antioxidant (helps reduce the potential risk of diabetic complications), fights toxins and oxygenates the blood. Research has shown that people with low blood levels of vitamin E are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetics, it improves glucose tolerance.

It may require at least 2-3 months or more of regular intake of Vitamin E supplementation for benefits to become apparent. If your are taking an anticoagulant like ecospirin, aspirin (blood thinner), consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E.

Dietary sources include fortified & multi-grain cereals, nuts, wheat germ, vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C
Type 1 diabetic patients generally have low vitamin C levels. By increasing the number of vitamin c in the bloodstream, the amount of sorbitol may get reduced. Sorbitol is a destructive sugar that can accumulate and lead to increased risk of diabetic complications such as retinopathy (eye), neuropathy (nerves) and renal damage. Vitamin C also helps improve glucose tolerance in the case of type 2 diabetic people. Doctors recommend between 1  3 g of Vitamin C dosage daily for diabetics.

Dietary sources include fresh vegetables and citrus fruits, like broccoli, green and red pepper, cauliflower, lemon, cabbage, pineapples, strawberries, oranges, olives, and citrus fruits.

Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is also referred to as pyridoxine. Diabetics who have a deficiency of this vitamin mostly suffer from neuropathy (or nerve damage), and benefit from its supplementation. Peripheral neuropathy is a common outcome of vitamin B6 deficiency. Pyridoxine supplements can improve glucose tolerance, particularly for women with gestational diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance caused by intake of contraceptive pill.

Vitamin B6 is also essential in preventing other diabetic complications as it is an important non-protein compound that combines with the protein  collagen to create an active enzyme.

Dietary sources include chicken, fish, liver, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 supplementation does to quite an extent help treat diabetic neuropathy. The presence of Vitamin B 12 is necessary for the correct functioning of nerve cells, and therefore taking it as a supplement may help reduce nerve damage.

Vitamin B12 may be taken orally in capsule form or intravenously or by injection to lessen nerve damage caused by diabetes in many people.

Recommended dosage is up to 500 mcg of Vitamin B12 three times a day.

Dietary sources include liver, yogurt, dairy products, fish, and non-fat milk.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is both a hormone and a vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency predisposes individuals to type 1 and type 2diabetes. Low levels of vitamin D interfere with the proper functioning of insulin-producing cells. If not enough insulin is present, blood glucose levels will start to rise.

People with higher blood levels of vitamin D have better sensitivity to insulin and lower blood glucose levels compared to those with low vitamin D levels.

The skin is the most plentiful source of vitamin D. When exposed to ultraviolet light, our skin can produce as much as 20,000 IU of vitamin D. Food sources are limited to egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil and fortified milk.

Biotin (Vitamin B8)
Biotin is a B vitamin required to process glucose. It works in harmonization with insulin in the body, and independently increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase (responsible in the primary step of glucose utilization). Glucokinase is formed only in the liver, and its concentration may be extremely low in diabetic patients.

Supplements of biotin may have a significant impact on glucose metabolism for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. It might to an extent help reduce pain from diabetic nerve damage.

Experts advise taking 16mg of biotin a couple of weeks to see for any changes in blood sugar levels.

Dietary sources include cereal, grain products, yeast, liver, legumes.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)
High levels of niacin may actually weaken glucose tolerance, and should therefore be avoided by diabetics. However, smaller amounts (500-750 mg daily for one month followed by 250 mg per day) can help some type 2 diabetics to lessen their glucose levels.

Dietary sources include liver, poultry, milk, leafy green vegetables.

ALA and GLA
ALA (alpha-lipoic acid) is a potent and natural antioxidant, and may function to help diabetic neuropathy and lower pain from free-radical break up. Some studies link ALA to decreased insulin resistance and thus, the control of blood sugar.

GLA (gamma-lipoic acid) is another naturally occurring antioxidant. It is helpful for improving damaged nerve function, that is common in diabetes.

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