Why Fish Oil & Other Omega 3-Fatty Acids Good For Your Health?
Omega 3 fatty acids are EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). They are usually found in a fish and often known as “fish oil.” Apart from these two, ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid) is another omega-3 fatty acid, but it is found in soy, walnuts, flaxseed and canola oil.
3 Benefits Of Consuming Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The omega-3 fatty acids that come from a fish have various benefits such as:
- Prevents Heart diseases
- Prevents stroke in some patients
- Lowers Triglycerides
The best way to get these omega-3 fatty acids is from salt water fishes. Salmon is one of the best sources for omega-3 fatty acids. However, ensure not to fry the fish. Eating Salmon twice a week can work wonders for people with heart conditions or to keep prevent heart conditions. You can also consume soy, walnuts etc.; foods that are rich in ALA. You can also go for “Fish oil capsules”. They are easily available and you can get them on a discount with your pharmacy discount card.
Side Effects Or Drug Interactions With Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Many people don’t experience any side-effects for consuming omega-3 fatty acids, however, people who are not used to fish oil or haven’t eaten a fish before may feel a few side-effects.
Fish oil side-effects:
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Loose stool
- Fishy taste in the mouth
If you’re experiencing any of the side-effects, you can switch to fish capsules. However, make sure to check the expiry date before consuming any capsule. If you are allergic to fish, you might experience side-effects from taking fish capsules. It is important to consult with your doctor before taking fish oil at a dose over 3 grams per day. Don’t take fish oil capsules if you are on a blood thinner medication or often take aspirin.
How To Choose The Best Fish Oil Product?
You have to keep in mind that nonprescription fish oil is not considered as a drug. So, the quality and content may vary. You should only choose products with the “USP Verified Mark” on the product label. Also note the EPA and DHA percentage on the label. Avoid cod liver oil as it contains a lot of vitamin A. You can go for krill oil, it has EPA and DHA but the amount is low. You can go for prescription fish oil capsules, however, they can cost a bit, so it would be better to use an Rx prescription discount card to get a discount.
