I’m asked this question all the time. People read about the wonderful benefits for children of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, but there never seems to be any guidelines on when to start.

A lot of people are surprised to learn that I start supplementing my children’s diet with high quality, pure fish oil as soon as they turn six months old. The kids were all nursed up until that point and my wife was supplementing her diet with fish oil while pregnant and nursing.

This is so important because the omega 3 fatty acids, especially DHA, will make a HUGE difference in a child’s brain development, motor skills, language skills, thinking skills, vision, ability to sleep at night and much more.

So how do you give fish oil to a 6 month old? Here’s how we did it. We pierced the capsule, squeezed a small amount onto a baby spoon and popped it into their mouths.

It’s fun to watch a baby adjust to the taste of fish oils and it actually doesn’t take them long. With a little encouragement and lots of smiles, they’ll be reaching for the capsules faster than you can give it to them.
A little word of caution: don’t wear nice clothes in the beginning. One of our children loved to make raspberries with their tongue after taking the fish oil and it would go everywhere. It was hard to get mad though, because he looked so cute when he did it.

If your kids are past the baby stage, don’t despair. It’s not too late to start giving them fish oil. It just takes a little more commitment and creativity to get the job done.

If your children can swallow capsules, you won’t have any problem. As long as they don’t drink any hot liquids (like tea) right after taking their Fish Oil, they shouldn’t burp the taste.

If they’re not able to swallow capsules yet, you can try giving them the fish oil on a spoon and then following up very quickly with a spoon full of applesauce or mashed banana. Just be sure to have your backup food ready to go before you give them the fish oil. You can also give them a drink of water to help wash it all down.

It may not be pleasant the first few times, but if they see that you’re not going to give up, they’ll get used to it pretty quickly.

And when you feel like quitting, remind yourself of how important the omega 3 oils are to your child’s health. If you’re not eating fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines or anchovies at least 3 times a week, your family is not getting enough omega 3s.

Believe me! The results are worth the effort. You will see a big difference in your child’s overall health, mental and physical abilities. Don’t wait another day to start.

Let’s begin before the beginning. If couples take omega 3 fish oil prior to conception, they have a better chance of conceiving and having a healthy baby. I’ve seen this over and over again with women who’ve been having trouble getting pregnant. Once they both start taking omega 3 fish oil with EPA and DHA, fertility vastly improves. And after conception, the percentage of full term pregnancies with fewer complications was also higher.

While in the womb the fetus needs the nutrients from fish oil (that Mom’s taking) for both brain development and building a strong nervous system. And Mom benefits from the omega 3 EPA and DHA too, since it helps protect her from a major pregnancy problem – pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure).

After birth, the mother will have much less chance of post-partum depression, if she’s taking her omega 3s. And the EPA and DHA is still necessary to the newborn (through nursing) for further brain development. Plus, these essential oils help protect the child from several major childhood problems – juvenile diabetes (type 1), asthma and ADD or ADHD.

As you can see, the nutrients from fish oil are essential to good health. Experts now realize that about 70% of a baby’s brain (and 60% of Mom’s brain) are made up of EPA and DHA. So, omega 3 fish oil contributes to both the mother and her baby’s physical, emotional and mental health. Thats a great beginning!

And, what’s really exciting is these benefits don’t end here. These essential nutrients benefit people throughout their entire lifetime. EPA and DHA continue to nourish the brain and even help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. And, if you don’t remember what I just said, you better go take your fish oil immediately!

Omega 3 fish oil has been shown to dramatically effect people’s mood in many positive ways (besides protecting against post partum depression and Alzheimer’s). Studies show EPA and DHA greatly lowers the incidence of depression, PMS and bi-polar disorder. Plus, there are even indications that optimum levels can reduce schizophrenia and tendencies towards suicide.

Most people are already aware that, because of the strong anti-inflammatory properties of cold water fish, omega 3 EPA and DHA has a dramatic effect on reducing inflammation. This adds up to much less incidence of all autoimmune and inflammatory diseases – arthritis, cystitis, bursitis, colitis or anything else ending in “itis.” Clinical trials show omega 3 fish oil can greatly reduce the pain without the negative side effects of drugs.
But, let’s get right down to the “heart” of the matter. Numerous studies prove that EPA and DHA are very beneficial in both protecting against heart disease and treating it. It helps lower blood pressure, reduce triglyceride, prevent blood clotting, improve cholesterol and minimize arrhythmia. So those who get plenty of high quality fish oil have less chance of heart attack or stroke.

But wait, there’s more. The fatty acids from fish oil also help protect against diabetes – both type 1 (juvenile onset) and type 2. And there’s even evidence that omega 3 EPA and DHA can decrease the incidence of cancer of the breast and prostrate and increase the survival rate of terminally ill cancer patients.

I could go on and on. But, I won’t. Because you just might be among the 85% of Americans who’re deficient in omega 3 fatty acids and you’re probably anxious to get started with all these benefits. The National Institutes of Health recommends 650 mg a day of balanced fish oil or 1000 mg daily for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

So, if you value your well being, I strongly recommend you start taking omega 3 fish oil capsules ASAP. It’s also a good idea to eat fatty fish from unpolluted waters whenever possible. To live a long, happy, healthy life, be sure you get the full benefit of omega 3 fish oil fatty acids throughout your whole lifetime.

Fish oil has certainly gotten a great deal of attention all over the world as a beneficial addition of a healthy lifestyle. There have been studies done by experts all over the world on omega fatty acids from fish oil and what makes it so healthy for us and its benefits to our bodies.

EPA is otherwise known as eicosapentaenoic acid is mostly found in fish oil. EPA is an omega 3 fatty acid. Unfortunately, most people do not get enough omega 3 fatty acids in their diet. Omega fatty acids can be obtained from eating fish like salmon, cod liver, herring, and mackerel. Consumption of certain fish can be toxic in large amounts therefore fish oil supplements are used as an alternative.

DHA is otherwise known as docosahexaenoic acid and is also found in fish oil. DHA is an omega 3 fatty acid. Some studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acids have a good benefit to your brain and memory. It can help prevent or slow down the process of Alzheimer’s disease. Low levels of DHA have been associated with depression, Bipolar disorder, other mood disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Our brains are actually made up of mostly fat, which is why it is so important for us to consume natural and good fats such as EPA and DHA.

DHA and EPA are mostly found in fish we eat. The components in Fish Oil, EPA and DHA can be very beneficial to the body. Studies on EPA have shown that it can also help those with heart disease, help to lower bad cholesterol, skin conditions, and inflammation from arthritis, help balance moods, and increase better learning. There are so many benefits it is difficult to list them all. EPA and DHA can help you live a happier and healthier life mentally and physically.

With all of these benefits, why wouldn’t you be trying to increase your consumptions of omega 3 fatty acids? It is never too late to start getting more DHA and EPA into your body to help increase all of its good functions so you can live happier and healthier. Studies have already shown that omega 3 essential fatty acids have an improvement on all of the health problems listed above. There are studies going on right now, because these fatty acids are so important they might have some more scientific answers for other health problems.

Promoting and maintaining a state of wellness requires a dynamic balance of hormones known as eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are powerful cell regulators that help maintain virtually all body functions including the brain, the heart and the immune system. Daily supplementation with pharmaceutical grade fish oils rich in the long-chain omega-3 essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, is critical for maintaining optimal eicosanoid balance throughout the body.

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.

The fish oils under review are rich in the omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that the body cannot make itself. They must be derived from food, fortified food, or supplements. Generally, it is oily fish like mackerel, sardines, herring and salmon that are the source of these.

Yet, in a survey conducted by Women’s Health Research, based in Washington, only 41% of mothers and expecting mothers were aware of the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids during and after pregnancy. With such statistics, it is not hard to see why so many women are deficient in essential fatty acids during pregnancy. In fact, it is believed that only 2% of pregnant women were getting the right amounts of EPA and DHA – either through diet or supplements.

EPA stands for eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA is docosahexaaenoic acid. Both are the active constituents of fish oil, contributing to the structure and function of a healthy brain and nervous system.

Without these healthy fats, a baby’s brain and nervous system will not grow optimally. DHA is recognized as being so important that it is now added to some infant formulas, as babies need a lot in the first 2 years of life. DHA contributes to the actual structure of the growing brain, and constitutes about 8% of its’ weight!

EPA, on the other hand, is particularly important for the functioning of the brain and nervous system. If a pregnant woman is not getting enough EPA and DHA in her own diet, she can lose as much as 3% of her own brain mass in the last 3 months of pregnancy, as the EPA and DHA stored in her own brain is transferred to her baby. Is this why pregnant women complain of feeling forgetful so much!

An interesting study carried out at the University Of Western Australia provides some clues of the role of fish oils in a child’s fetal development. 83 women completed the study, approximately half of whom were given 4 grams of Fish Oil from 20 weeks until birth, and the remainder given olive oil supplements. The children’s development was measured when they were two and a half years old, and there was found to be an improvement in comprehension, average phrase length, and vocabulary in those whose mothers had taken fish oil when they were pregnant. The researchers reported that overall language skills were the same for each group. They did find that when babies had higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids in their cord blood, there was an improvement in hand and eye coordination. Levels of vegetable oils had no impact on hand-eye coordination.

Whilst it can be seen that fish oils are highly beneficial for pregnant women, the potential problem women face is contamination of the oil with mercury, PCB’s and dioxins. Mercury contamination can increase the risk of premature births, although the actual incidence of mercury contamination and premature birth associated with fish consumption is very low. One study conducted at Harvard and Michigan State Universities, that did find a link, reported only 4% of the women in the study actually gave birth prematurely.

These facts, combined with inconsistencies in studies that reported links between fetal development and mercury exposure, have led scientists to continue recommending pregnant women eat oily fish or take fish oil supplements. The benefits in fetal development, from brain and nervous system development, to coordination and improved vocabulary and comprehension as toddlers, all point to the benefits outweighing the risks. Indeed, one scientist involved in a review of various studies, said he was actually surprised by how little harm was reported. The risks to pregnant women are even further reduced if they source their fish oil supplements carefully.

But despite all the obvious differences, they still suffer from similar health problems. They get cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and depression too. The only thing we suffer more than a woman is PMS. (My wife said this was OK to say as long as I said it lovingly.)

How you handle these health problems is up to you. One way is to wait until you have some awful degenerative disease and then seek treatment (sounds like something a man would do). The other way is to do something about it before it becomes a problem. And if you choose the second method, then yes, there are healthy benefits of fish oil for women (and men!).

Every leading cause of death for a woman has two things in common. They’re degenerative and preventable. We won’t quibble over their ranking. After all, would it bother you if you had the second leading cause of death and not the first? Degenerative diseases, though preventable, are not a fashion accessory.

But there’s one dietary accessory you’ll want to have in your nutritional wardrobe. They just happen to be the most amazing form of prevention available to you. They are the omega 3 fatty acids in fish. More and more research confirms on a daily basis the power of these simple, natural nutrients.

Studies tell us that increasing your omega 3 intake can help prevent heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s, PMS, memory loss, dry skin and much more.

One of the main reasons why omega 3 fatty acids are so universally beneficial is because they help the body decrease and regulate inflammation – the kind you can see and the kind you can’t.

Recent research indicates that all degenerative diseases begin when the body’s inflammatory cycle gets out of control. And the only way it can get out of control is when you’re not getting enough omega 3s in your diet.

Scientists call it an “inverse relationship.” But it’s really just a simple equation. The more omega 3s you get, the less risk you’ll have for degenerative diseases. And to keep things simple for the men who might be reading, the fewer omega 3s you get, the greater your risk of dying from some preventable illness becomes.

See how simple that is. All you have to do to get all the healthy benefits of fish oils for women is to eat more fish, specifically oily fish that live in cold waters. They include salmon, tuna, anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel. Find some great recipes and you’re all set.

Now, prove to us guys how much smarter you are by making a commitment to eat more fish on a regular basis. And if that’s too hard for you, then you should supplement your diet with pure Fish Oil capsules from a reputable source.

There are two types of fatty acids. The first type is known as Omega-6 EFA (EFA stands for Essential Fatty Acids). This type is what is found in various vegetable oils, corn oils and soy oils and contains a kind of acid called linoleic acid. An excess amount of this type of fatty acid ingested into your system can lead to some negative effects such as growth of tumors, possible clotting of your blood and inflammation.

The second type is known as Omega-3 EFA and can be found in Fish Oils. The Omega-3 EFA has the opposite effect on your body. These can be found in some nuts such as walnuts, fish and flaxseed. This type of fat contains two essential fatty acids known as EPA and DHA. Doctors have discovered that they help prevent such diseases as heart attacks, depression, cancer, hardening of the arteries, arthritis and diabetes.

Lets look at some of the other benefits that the Omega-3 EFA can do for you. One of the most important organ in your body is your heart. Yet, a lot of people do not do what they need to do to keep this organ healthy. One of the ways you can do this is to make sure that you eat a lot of fish or eat a lot of food that has fish oil in it. If you are trying to lose weight, you definitely want to make fish a regular part of your diet.

Doing this has been shown to alleviate high blood pressure and help to regulate those with diabetes. Those with respiratory problems have also found that by making fish a regular part of their diet, their breathing became much easier as well as getting fewer asthma attacks.

For those of you who wish to improve your health, lose or maintain your weight, it is imperative that you watch the fat intake. You want to make sure that you are careful with the type of vegetable oils that you use while preparing your food. On the other hand, make sure that you make fish a part of your diet. Remember you want to limit the bad fats, and eat the good fats.

Protein
Protein is required for fuel energy. However, most of the people consume more protein than needed. Lean meats, fish, chicken, and lean beef products are the best sources of protein. Remember; the way of cooking them is important too. Avoid the high fat methods of cooking. Switch to grilling or broiling your food. It tastes delicious and is low in fats. If you are suffering from kidney problems, it’s vital to keep a check on your protein intake.

Fats
All fats are not bad. Your body does need fat to protect your inner organs. Fat contains concentrated energy. It regulates your body temperature, and helps in healing inflammation and pain. Fats also help in the absorption of fat-soluble Vitamins like A, D, and E.

It is the excess fat that is harmful. Avoid transfats completely and reduce the intake of saturated fats so that it is below seven percent of your total intake of calories everyday. Start reading the food labels. There are many foods that contain zero transfats. Include fish products such as salmon or sardines in your diet. Also, start using vegetable oils to get sufficient essential fats for your body.

Carbohydrates
This is another important component of our diet. Like fats, carbohydrates are also good and bad types. The steadiness of your blood sugar levels depend on the type of carbohydrate you are taking. It is easy to count your carbs. Every packet of food that you pick up from the store has carbohydrates in each serving. You should go for complex carbohydrates and avoid the simple ones.

Most of the simple carbohydrates are found in sugar related foods. It includes most of the sweets. Simple carbohydrates are broken down right away to convert them into fuel. However, complex carbohydrates, which are good for your body, take longer to be processed. The most popular sugar substitute used by the diabetics is Splenda. You can utilize it to bake with. As long as you are sure that your blood sugar levels are in control, it is okay to consume a little sugar.

Calorie Counting
If you are keeping a track on your calories as a technique to reduce weight or control your blood sugar levels, then you make sure that you are taking plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables so that your body gets sufficient vitamins and minerals. Include beans, peas, green leafy vegetables, fruit juices, nuts, and other healthy foods in your diet.

One of the best ways to treat diabetes is to eat a healthy diet. So, kick off the junk and processed food, and welcome fresh and nutritious food in your plate!

The range of health issues that quality fish oil for cats can help with is very large including helping to improve immune function, cognition, arthritis, behavior and prevent cancer. It also helps to lower cholesterol levels and give a healthy shining coat.

They are also exceptionally good for healing those hairless dry, irritated areas and encourage the hair to grow back and promote all round good health.
The results can be quite dramatic in older cats if they suffer from arthritis or other joint problems and I have witnessed this personally when after some weeks with a daily supplement, their movement was significantly improved and it seemed like they were a much younger cat again!

It is not necessary to buy special Fish Oil for cats as the ones we use work just fine, and even better in some cases as the purity levels tend to be higher.

The two omega 3 fatty acids that provide most of the benefits are DHA and EPA with DHA being by far the most effective and important one, so check the website or label carefully to ensure a high level of DHA, around twice the amount of EPA.

To help keep your kitty safe, make sure any oil you use has been molecularly distilled to remove all the dangerous toxins like mercury and lead which are present in many poor quality oils. This type can also be known as pharmaceutical grade oil.

If you want to help your cat to live a longer and healthier life, then fish oil for cats in the form of a daily supplement will go a long way to achieving that, more than any other addition to their diet.

For dry, high-heat methods of cooking, fish that contain a lot of moisture are a best fit. Cooking school graduates know grilling, broiling, roasting and baking can leave fish tough and rubbery. This is because the dry heat extracts moisture – giving nothing back. If you plan to use these cooking techniques, choose a fish with high-moisture content. Swordfish, salmon, cod and halibut would all work well in these situations.

Sautéing, baking with a sauce, frying or steaming are other methods taught during culinary training for cooking fish. Students are instructed to select fish that are less moist for these techniques. The reason is two-fold. First, depending on the amount of water released from the fish during cooking, it may alter the flavor of sauces. Second, the moisture could turn batter or other coatings into mush.

Sautéing involves the use of oil or butter. This helps keep fish moist during cooking. Baking is usually done with a sauce. The sauce also would help retain the natural oils in a dryer fish. Steaming adds moisture rather than reducing it, and frying normally involves a batter or bread coating that locks in the natural oils and water. Cooking school instructors often suggest tilapia, catfish, haddock or orange roughly for these applications.

Another consideration when selecting fish for your recipe is firmness. For dishes where you want the fish to remain in its cut shape, a fish with firm flesh will be a best pick. Fish that don’t break apart when handled during cooking (during turning, etc.) will make the best presentation and be easier to eat. Grouper, swordfish, salmon, cod, tilapia, tuna, shark and others hold their shapes well.

However, if preparing fish in other ways, flakier fish are optimal. For instance, with fried fish (where the coating can help hold the shape), fishcakes, soups or stews (where the fish would be broken) or baked dishes (that require little handling), those with professional culinary training usually prefer a delicately textured fish to perk up the recipe.

Lastly, cooking school instructors and professional chefs stress working with the natural flavor of the fish. Salmon, tuna, grouper, monkfish and others have very distinct flavors. Most often, adding herbs, spices, rubs or light sauces to compliment the taste will give you a more savory result.

Choosing the right fish to include in your favorite recipes will enhance the presentation and flavor. You’ll likely find yourself serving more fish to your family and guests… and that’s good for everybody!

Choose liquid or tube margarines low in saturated fat and trans fat. Choose reduced-fat and no-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise with no more than 1 gram of saturated fat per tablespoon. Preparation tips include:
- Use fats and oils lowest in saturated fat and cholesterol for cooking, baking and in spreads sparingly.
- Use reduced-fat or no-fat salad dressings with salads and dips.
- Coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil have no cholesterol; however, they are high in saturated fat.

Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish, particularly fatty fish, at least two times per week. Good choices include:
- Mackerel
- Lake trout
- Herring
- Sardines
- Albacore tuna
- Salmon

Other good sources of omega-3 Fatty acids include:
- Soybeans
- Canola
- Walnut and flaxseed and their oils

The American Heart Association does not recommend widespread use of folic acid and B vitamin supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Instead, they advise a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Good sources of Folic Acid include:
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Vegetables and grain products
- Wheat flour fortified with folic acid

There is a lack of evidence for the benefit of lowering homocysteine levels; however, patients at high risk should be advised to be sure to get enough folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 in their diet. Sources of these vitamins include:
- Fruits and green, leafy vegetables eaten daily.

Potassium

Potassium is necessary for the body’s growth and maintenance. It plays an important role in the response of nerves to stimulation and in the contraction of muscles. Good sources of foods high in potassium include:
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Tomato or prune juice
- Honeydew melons
- Prunes
- Molasses
- Potatoes

If you need to keep your weight under control eat lower calorie potassium containing foods such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
Food labels are a major accomplishment for the American Heart Association who participated actively in the legislation and regulatory process that has made nutrition labeling more useful to consumers. It is now easier for consumers to choose foods low in saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol and sodium as well as foods that contain potassium, calcium and other nutrients.

I rarely purchase an item these days without first reading the nutritional label. Remember to read nutritional labels when provided on foods. Nutritional food labels are a tremendous asset for everyone.

Source: American Heart Association
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.