FISH OILCHOLESTEROLFatty fish is not just tasty, it's also healthy. Fish oil from Salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring all contain high levels of the healthy unsaturated fats EPA and DHA.
Fat gets a lot of bad press, but we cannot live without fat. Many neurotransmitters in the body, the nerves and brain itself are very rich in fat. It's the saturated fats that we need to keep an eye on, but even that's not simple. For reasons that I won't go into here, it is my opinion that butter (a saturated fat), is healthier than margarine (an unsaturated fat). A report in the Archives of Neurology found that people who consume a lot of saturated fat (that's butter, milk, cheese, eggs) and trans fatty acids (that's margarine) were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's as people who avoid those fats in their diet. For more information about fats, click here. Total fat in the diet should be limited though. A diet that is unbalanced towards fats, whether saturated or not, is certainly unhealthy, causing obesity (of course) and increase in bowel cancers and cardio-vascular disease. But here comes the rub. Fats in the diet should also not be too low! There is very interesting research coming out now about the really serious neurological diseases like Motor Neuron Disease. Victims of this very serious disease have almost always been on a diet very high in carbohydrate, and very low in fat. I fancy I see you throwing up your hands in horror. Well, what must you do? Lots of fat, or minimal fat?!!! Really, it's very complex, and we still haven't all the answers. My advice is, keep the balance in your diet. No stringent limiting of fats, even if you are really overweight, but stick to the healthy fats. For more about Motor Neuron disease, click here. (Scroll down). The Omega-3 oils in salmon keep the blood vessels clean and the fats in the blood in solution, maintaining healthy artery walls. JointsFish oil is also good for keeping the joints oiled. Granny wasn't quite so stupid as we thought with her insistence on Cod liver oil. It is healthy for the joints and arthritis, hence our interest in chiropractic in promoting more fish in the diet.Brain and nerve tissue
So, get out to the Fishmonger, and let's eat more fish. Better and cheaper than taking salmon oil capsules, but they too do have a place in your pill box. More fish and fowl, less red meat. One simple and delicious way to enjoy fish, is by making a simple fish soup. It's all a question of balance. If you are eating large quantities of fruit, salad and veges, then within reason, you can enjoy your proteins and fats. But do stay away from margarines with their transfats, and eat butter only in moderation. Do get your blood profile checked. Should you suffer from Hypercholesterolemia, a rare blood disorder, then even a healthy diet won't keep your cholesterol within normal limits. Better to be sure if you have a family history of heart disease. Mother's MilkIt may come as a surprise, but mother's milk is very high in fat, nearly a half of which is saturated, considerably higher than most cow's milk, which has more protein. The reason is simple: it's the human infant brain that grows so fast in comparison with the calf's body. Brain tissue is make up largely of fat, and it's important that the developing brain be fed adquate fat.If you want a baby with a big brain, feed it mother's milk. If you want a baby with a big body ... you get the drift. Large surveys have clearly shown that breast fed babies have significantly higher IQs. It is extremely important that the lacting mother does not go on a low fat diet, as this will impede the development of her baby's brain. This is not the time to go on extreme diet. Two important fats, lauric and capric acid, in mother's milk have been found to have anti-microbial properties. This can be boosted by drinking coconut oil which is rich in fat. To summarise, eating more deep water fish that are rich in Omega-3 fish oil helps brain development and gives protection against infections. Too much fat in a meal is a common cause of indigestion. One simple remedy, should you know you are cooking up a fish oil storm, is to include a generous portion of Greek salad. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)Interesting research done in the United Kingdom with children with behavioural problems has shown that a mixture of fish oil and Evening Primrose Oil has amazing benefits for children suffering from ADD and dyslexia. For more information, click here, and here.Concerned about your weight, with these recommendations about fatty fish? Never forget the benefits of walking. Return from FISH OIL to BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL.
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