What Is Fish Oil and Why Is it important?

From evidence of better heart health to improved mental acuity, there is a very good reason why fish oil continues to be one of the most commonly consumed dietary supplements in the world.

Made from the oil that’s extracted from fish tissue, fish oil is extremely rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are very important for our health as it provides multiple health benefits and provides protection against a number of diseases.

It’s pretty important we get enough fish oil in our diets, but if you still aren’t convinced, here are 5 benefits of fish oil.

With heart disease being the leading cause of death in Malaysia, there is a dire need for Malaysians to step up on their maintenance of heart health.

Research has shown that the regular consumption of fish oil is able to reduce several risk factors for heart disease such as the increase of good HDL cholesterol levels and the lowering of triglyceride levels by 15 to 30 per cent.

And even in small doses, fish oil has also been found to help to reduce blood pressure and prevent plaque build-up in our arteries.

As we get older, our brain function will inevitably decrease but studies have suggested that people who eat more fish experience a slower decline in brain function in their old age.

And in healthy adults, fish oil itself seems to have a positive effect on improving memory.

Besides this, some studies that found people who suffer from depression appear to have lower blood levels of omega-3 and that omega-3 supplements may improve symptoms of the mental illness.

It’s no secret that Malaysia is Asia’s fattest country with half of our population being overweight or obese.

And it has become a huge strain on our country as most of our top causes of death are obesity related illnesses.

Thankfully, some studies have suggested that fish oil supplements are able to help us lose weight and reduce our waist lines.

However, weight loss was only observed in these studies when the supplements were taken in combination with diet and exercise.

So, if you want to shed some extra kilos, taking fish oil alone won’t work if you don’t put in some exercise and healthy eating into the mix.

Omega-3 fatty acids fortify the outer layer of our skin, allowing it to retain hydration better, improving texture and quality of the skin and promote wrinkle prevention in the long-run.

Moreover, some research has also suggested that omega-3 fatty acids play a role in decreasing skin damage from excessive exposure to UV light.

For healthy hair, there have been some reports that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in our diet can cause hair colour changes or loss. So, if you want to keep the shine on your locks, it’s time to make sure you’re getting enough fish oil in your diet!

Fish oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been found to be effective in treating the symptoms of conditions that cause chronic inflammation.

The wonder supplement has also been found to be effective in significantly reducing joint pain and stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is recommended that we get our weekly intake of omega-3s by eating 1-2 portions of oily fish per week. But if you don’t like the taste of fish or don’t get enough fish in your diet, there is always fish oil supplements to help you get enough omega-3s.