We have all seen the ads containing outrageous claims about products that, invariably, fail to deliver. After a discouraging trial we find ourselves wondering if anything out there will actually work as promised by manufacturers. Is it all just media hype?

Well, in my personal experience as a consumer and researcher, the one product that delivers the benefits it promises is fish oil. Omega 3 fatty acids are valuable as a preventative aid for a wide number of diseases. They are even helpful as part of a comprehensive protocol to fight against serious illnesses.

There is consensus among physicians and advocates of alternative medicine in regards to the efficacy of Omega 3 fatty acids and, in particular, fish oil. It is a rather exceptional situation and it is possible due to the vast number of studies that indisputably show the benefits of supplementing with fish oil.

It is understood that, in general terms, conventional medicine supports an interventionist approach to health care, while alternative medicine favors more of a preventative tactic. In an effort to bolster the already robust drug industry, pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars funding studies that buttress their bottom line. That is not necessarily a good thing for consumers. Often times, the effectiveness of natural supplements are denied in favor of more expensive medications.

In spite of this common practice, many informed physicians do now recommend that their patients increase their dietary intake of Omega 3 fatty acids though proper diet and fish oil supplements. Diet is, in itself, the single most influential factor in achieving good health. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential nutrients habitually missing from our modern diet. Disorders that are affected by the lack of this nutrient, such as heart disease and even certain cancers can often be prevented by lifestyle changes that include improvements in eating habits.

In the next segment I will go into how fish oil improves specific conditions.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid Fact: The human brain is comprised of 60% fats, and approximately half of that fat is DHA omega 3.

 

The Miracle of Omega 3 for Health

My own research and that of my colleagues, has convinced me of the miraculous nature of fish oil. Allow me to go into detail to show the many advantages that a diet enhanced by fish oil will bring to you and your family.

Brain Health

It is a fact that the human brain is comprised of 60% fats and that approximately half of that fat is DHA omega 3. DHA is DocosaHexaenoic Acid an essential fatty acid that plays an indispensable role in brain health and in the proper function of this vital organ.

Deficiencies in omega 3’s have been linked to a plethora of disorders such as intense mood swings, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, postpartum depression and Alzheimer’s disease. These are very common conditions in today’s society. I am certain that everyone knows at least one individual who suffers from any of the above mentioned conditions.

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have found numerous indications that most these conditions significantly improve with increased omega 3 fatty acid intake. In any case, fish oil always contributes to better overall health and enhanced performance in terms of focus and memory.

Heart Health

The America Heart Association announced that fish oil supplementation is of improves the health of those with heart conditions and prevents many of the heart related disorders.

The most in depth studies regarding the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are related to heart health. Heart disease has been the #1 killer in the Western world for decades only to be surpassed quite recently by cancer.

Fish oil supplements, with their high concentration of omega 3’s, have been clinically shown to help protect those at risk of heart disease due to family history, diet or lifestyle.

What kind of impact do fish oil supplements have on the heart? The fundamental effect of omega 3 fats on the blood is that they make platelets less sticky. In essence they act as the very expensive and side effect causing blood thinners that doctors prescribe for heart patients. They prevent clumping of platelets into clots or adhesions which can trigger heart attacks and strokes if they block vessels in your brain or heart.

Of great importance as well is that omega 3’s reduces triglycerides, which are a type of fat detrimental to your health and closely related to cholesterol. High levels of triglycerides along with high cholesterol greatly increase your risk of heart disease. Recent research has shown that omega 3 fats can even help prevent or reduce heart rhythm abnormalities by strengthening the electrical system of the heart.

Finally, heart disease is usually characterized by generalized inflammation and omega 3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce troublesome inflammation throughout the body.

 

"Omega 3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of -- or who have -- cardiovascular disease." American Heart Association

 

Arthritis Aches and Pains

Were you aware that many of the aches and pains that are arthritis related are caused by chronic inflammation? For this reason, there are numerous studies that have shown fish oil supplements to be beneficial for arthritis sufferers. Rich in omega 3’s, they reduce inflammation and help lessen symptoms in those who experience the pain and discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis.

Crohn's Disease & Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

A similar effect is found in patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is a painful condition that manifests, among other things, by a painful inflammation of the bowels. There is, in fact, one particular long term study where 69% of Crohn’s patients who took fish oil supplements remained symptom free as opposed to only 28% who received a placebo. That is a considerable difference in improvement and fish oil supplementation was the only variable considered in the study.

Pregnant or Nursing Mothers

It is now indisputable that for the brain of a fetus to properly develop, the body needs a good deal of omega 3’s, DHA and EPA. If you are pregnant, you should immediately consider using a molecularly distilled fish oil supplement to give your child’s brain the best of environment in which to grow and develop properly. Always be sure to consult with your doctor first to determine the optimum dosage for your specific needs.

If you are a nursing mother, you should also ensure you are getting enough omega 3’s either through your diet or by taking a fish oil supplement, because omega 3’s are “essential” fatty acids. Essential means they are required by the body but the body is unable to make them on its own. This simply means we get all of them from our diets.

Later in the development of your baby, omega 3’s in your own diet are passed along to your child when you breastfeed. As a new mother it will help you know that insufficient levels of omega 3 are linked with an unstable attention span, ADHD and other signs of hyperactivity.

Psoriasis, Acne, and Other Skin Disorders

You might know someone who suffers from painful psoriasis or persistent acne. If you do, you know how embarrassing and distressing these conditions can be. The fact is that inflammation is one of the primary causes for these conditions as well. The proven anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil supplements can often provide much needed relief for many of the symptoms associated with both of these disorders.

Cancers

According to recent statistics, cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. There are, unfortunately, many different types of cancer that can affect a variety of organs in the body. Some of the most exciting research of late shows that omega 3’s can aid in the prevention of cancer. It can also be of great help in slowing down its progression during critical stages of the treatment.

Though more research in this area is urgently needed, we now know that the EPA and DHA omega 3’s found in fish oil supplements, assist in the prevention and treatment of prostrate, testicular, breast, and ovarian cancers. Prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women are so common and claim so many lives that another tool in the fight against these terrible conditions should always be welcome.

In Addition...

Much more could be written about the many benefits of omega 3 fatty acids. At this very moment, research into the effects of fish oil in diseases such as lupus and Reynaud’s disease is being done to establish its validity as part of a preventative program. Even in the case of healthy individuals who are simply looking to preserve their current good physical condition, fish oil is the simplest, safest way to achieve peak performance and radiant health.

In looking to introduce fish oil into your diet, it is crucial to make sure that you are consuming purified fish oil supplements. This is essential because most fish oil capsules are made from fatty fish species naturally high in DHA and EPA, but frequently contaminated by mercury or other pollutants.

Negative Consequences of the Modern Diet

Modern agricultural practices both for cattle and crops, has caused the food we eat today to be far less nutritious than the food our parents ate. While it is true that in many cases the inherent safety of our food sources has improved, it is also true that the soil has been depleted of nutrients, the water has been polluted and there has been an excessive use of chemicals in order to ensure enough production.

Farming has transformed into a business in which profit matters a great deal. In order to feed a growing population of millions, you have to raise animals as fast as you can, fatten them up as fast as you can, and get them to maturity as fast as you can. The natural processes are manipulated in ways that ensure the quickest turnover of cattle and crops in detriment of quality.

This means that the chicken, pork, beef, and lamb that you buy at the local grocery store has been fattened with feed that contains hormones that speed growth and antibiotics that prevent disease. This diet is deficient and, in turn, results in sickly animals and low quality food. A natural diet would yield a product that is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, but the cost and length of the natural process is deemed excessive in today’s farming.

In the case of fish, fatty fish is the best source of omega 3’s but, ironically, it now contains high levels of pollutants. These are truly dangerous pollutants like mercury, lead, and PCB’s. The fish store these substances because the waters in which they swim are now contaminated by industrial pollution.

The Absolute Best Source for Fish Supplements

If you want all the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids without the harmful toxins that come with eating a lot of oily fish, the solution is to take a safe, molecularly distilled fish oil supplement.

Molecular distillation is a process that separates the oils from the contaminants. The healthy, rich omega 3 fish oils are then encapsulated into soft gel capsules. It does not interfere with any of the original properties of the fish oil, but ensures the safety of the product.

Furthermore, purified fish oils are not only the best source but also the most economical source available. A one month supply of top-of-the-line product will cost less than $20 per month.

If you have decided to include a fish oil supplement as part of your daily health routine, it is of the outmost importance to know how to compare one product against another. As you probably know by now, not all fish oil supplements are created equal. You should be getting the safest, purest fish oil at the best price possible.

There are certain criteria that you must consider before choosing your fish oil supplements. The most expensive products are not always the best one. There is no real correlation between price and quality. The product could be expensive due to mass marketing campaigns or celebrity endorsements.

On the other hand, some products are too cheap to be true. After additional analysis you learn that the oils are not molecularly distilled and that they probably harbor contaminants as a result. Often, the type of fish used is not rich in omega 3, Furthermore, the extracted oils have not been processed in a way that will maintain their freshness. Fish oil quickly undergoes oxidation, which is a process that causes them to turn rancid. Taking fish oils that have already oxidized can actually be hazardous to your health.

Essential criteria to determine the quality of fish oil supplements:

  • The type of fish being used as a source. Is it naturally high in DHA and EPA omega 3? Does it contain adequate amounts of DHA?
  • Is it purified through molecularly distillation?
  • Is the fish caught and processed locally? There should be no delay between capture and processing in order to ensure freshness.
  • Does the manufacturer clearly indicate the exact breakdown between DHA omega 3 and EPA omega 3? Is all other pertinent nutritional information clearly printed?
  • How many servings does each bottle contain?

My Personal Preference in Matters of Fish Oil Supplements

Through my own research and thorough product comparisons, I concluded that the best possible source for a high quality fish oil supplement is the coastal waters of New Zealand.

Reasons Why I Selected this Product

1. Hoki is kind of fish that lives in the waters off the New Zealand coast. They constitute a sustainable, natural resource which is regulated by the government of New Zealand. They thrive in the deep, cold waters off the southern tip of the islands in one of the few unspoiled places left, where industrial pollution does not affect the quality of the ocean water.

2. Hoki fish are naturally high in omega 3’s.They are particularly rich in DHA which the human body easily assimilates and partially converts into EPA when necessary.

3. Xtend-Life Natural Products is a New Zealand company locally owned and operated that has improved the process of molecular distillation of raw fish oil. This company goes as far as to distill even the oil resulting from the processing of Hoki fish. This results in the cleanest, safest oil in the market today.

4. Given the optimal balance of DHA and EPA in Xtend-Life fish oil and the total amount of omega 3 per serving, I have yet to find a better priced, more affordable product than this supplement.

I have given Xtend-Life Omega 3 fish oil to my whole family for years now. I believe that it has been one of the best health decisions I have ever made. For less than $20 dollars we are reaping the benefits of supplementing our diet with the best, cleanest fish oil supplement that one could ever find. It helps each member of my family in a different way but all of us have been able to experience the improvement. As a family we are healthier, calmer and more productive than we ever were before.

Do look at the in depth information about fish oil supplements that is posted on the Xtend-Life website. It will further educate you and help you make a better decision in choosing a really high quality omega 3 product for you and your loved ones.

To your health,
Valerie Rosenbaum



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