When you dive down the nutrition rabbit hole, things can get incredibly confusing in a hurry. One expert might tell you a particular supplement is useless, while another would bet their lives on its efficacy. We’re still unraveling the complex mystery of the human body, and conflicting reports are an inevitable part of that research. However, as Andrew Demetre, a Charleston-based health expert, explains, there should be no conflict about the efficacy of fish oil.
The Power of Omega-3s
The number of scientific terms, complicated concepts, and peer-reviewed studies you’ll find when looking into nutrition and supplements can be overwhelming. But making sure your body is getting what it needs doesn’t actually require a doctorate in biology. You only need to know about a few key things, and omega-3s are one of them.
Omega-3s, also called omega-3 fatty acids, are an essential component of a healthy diet. They offer a wide variety of benefits, such as:
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and omega-3s can potentially help combat it. This is because they help to reduce triglycerides, which increase your risk of not only heart disease, but of stroke as well.
Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation can be incredibly destructive to the human body. It has the ability to damage your organs, tissues, and healthy cells — and it’s also linked to cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening health conditions. Omega-3s can potentially help to fight inflammation in the body.
Improved Mental Health
Good fats are good for your brain. That’s because your brain is made mostly of fat. Omega-3s are one of the best of these good fats, and it’s believed that a steady supply of them can potentially prevent or even help to treat certain mental health conditions.
A Longer Lifespan
A longer life is the health benefit of all health benefits, and while it may seem unlikely that one polyunsaturated fatty acid might be capable of offering it, there is research to the contrary.
It’s believed that omega-3s have the ability to preserve telomeres and possibly even lengthen them. Telomeres are structures that help keep your DNA from unraveling and causing chaos in your body.
These structures become shorter throughout your lifespan due to all kinds of factors, such as stress, poor dietary habits, and lack of exercise. A healthy lifestyle can combat that shortening, and so can omega-3s.
Fish Oil Is an Excellent Way to Get Your Omega-3s
Omega-3s are present in a variety of cold-water fish, such as tuna and salmon. Eating a lot of them is one way to get your fill of omega-3s, but taking fish oil supplements can be a more efficient method.
Fish oil is simply concentrated omega-3s. If you purchase from a reputable brand, this fish oil will be free of any of the potential toxins you may be ingesting if you were to simply eat a large quantity of fish.
While there is debate around virtually any supplement, fish oil has a steady track record of being a beneficial addition to your daily regimen throughout your life.
About Andrew Demetre, Charleston Based Health Expert
Andrew Demetre, Charleston health coach, physical trainer, and bodybuilder, first found his calling during the pandemic when he realized that many of his clients preferred working out from home. These days, Demetre uses his expertise to train clients from home, whether in the greater Charleston area or worldwide. Andrew firmly believes every client can achieve their ideal body through hard work and dedication — no gym membership needed.