WE call it fish oil supplements…the benefits of fish out of water in the form of a softgel are remarkable.

We carry CardiOmega at our office which is a highly concentrated EPA/DHA natural fish oil supplement. A special molecular distillation process is used to remove toxins and cholesterol. EPA & DHA Omega-3 fatty acids can be one of the most valuable supplements to your diet and exercise program. Studies also show EPA & DHA to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.

The following research truly dives into a the remarkable benefits of what fish oils can do for you.

Fish Oils supplements, health benefits, side effects, omega-3 epa and dha,
Use for depression, heart disease, vision and eyesight, menopause, weight loss, blood pressure and cancer
January 25 2016 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Almost every aspect of our health, physical and mental, is related to the types of fatty acids that make up our cells and tissue, including vision. And it appears that most of us are not ingesting the right kinds. I have discovered that fish oils supplements help with eyesight. Fish oils are also beneficial for mental and sexual health. There is debate among the medical as to the benefits of fish oils obtained as pills rather than through food. Studies have shown conflicting results. I think the benefits of these supplements could well be enhanced when dietary changes are made that reduce sugar intake or intake of other simple carbohydrates and unhealthy foods.

Fish oil supplements are dietary supplements that contain oil from the flesh of cold water fish such as mackerel, salmon, black cod, albacore tuna, sardines, and herring. The active ingredients are essential fatty acids known as omega-3 fatty acids. They typically include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids are converted by the body into the beneficial series 3 prostaglandins.

Physical benefits
May reduce the risk for heart disease by improving circulation.
May be of benefit in those who have high blood sugar levels or have diabetes.
Fish oils may be helpful to people with lupus since fish oils have anti-inflammatory properties.
May reduce the risk of heart arrhythmias
They may reduce symptoms of arthritis and several autoimmune diseases.
Fish oils are found in sperm, and these oils may support healthy sexual organ function.

Mental benefits
Fish oils may be of benefit for depression, either alone, or in combination with natural mood lifters or prescription antidepressants although different studies have shown conflicting results. Dr. Malcolm Peet of the Swallownest Court Hospital in Sheffield, England and his colleague found that depressed patients who received a daily dose of 1 gram of an omega-3 fatty acid for 12 weeks experienced a decrease in their symptoms, such as sadness, anxiety and sleeping problems.
They are beneficial for vision. They may also help reduce the risk for macular degeneration, a condition in the eye that could lead to blindness.
Perhaps they may help some children with ADHD symptoms.

Allergy in child
Fish Oil Supplementation in Pregnancy Modifies Neonatal Progenitors at Birth in Infants at Risk of Atopy or allergy. Pediatr Res. 2004; Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy in atopic mothers alters infant cord blood hemopoietic progenitor phenotype and this may have an impact on development of allergy and atopic disease.

Cholesterol
The effects of low dose n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profiles and insulin resistance of the elderly: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2010.
A 6-month randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 124 elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation. The intervention group was supplemented with 1 g/day fish oil capsule (with 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid, DHA; a total of 300 mg n-3 fatty acids as effective constituents). Supplementation with low dose n-3 fatty acids for 6 months could significantly protect elderly Iranians from a rise in serum triglycerides.

Depression
Taking fish oil supplements may have a role to play in improving mood. They can also be used in combination with natural or prescription anti-depressants. Over the years, different studies have reported conflicting results. Some of the confusion is due to the fact that some studies have looked at omega-3 as a stand-alone therapy; others have tested it in combination with antidepressants and the formulations often vary, too. Some of the strongest evidence of benefit has come from supplements rich in EPA — which, along with DHA, is one of the two main forms of fish oils.

The current study tested a fish-oil capsule with a high ratio of EPA to DHA, providing 1,050 milligrams per day of the former and 150 mg per day of the latter. Some patients in the study, but not all, got relief. All 432 patients in the study had been diagnosed with at least moderate depression. About 40 percent were already on antidepressants. Dr. Francois Lesperance, of the University of Montreal in Canada, who directed the study, randomly assigned patients to take either the fish-oil capsules or a placebo containing vegetable oil every day for eight weeks. Among anxiety-free patients, symptoms improved significantly more with treatment than with the placebo. Taking anti-depressants, or not taking them, did not affect the results. The fatty acids are involved in the function of certain brain chemicals linked to depression. It’s also possible that the anti-inflammatory effects are at work. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2010.
Comparison of therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid and fluoxetine, separately and in combination, in major depressive disorder.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2008.
Sixty outpatients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder were randomly allocated to receive daily either 1000 mg EPA or 20 mg fluoxetine, or their combination for 8 weeks. EPA and fluoxetine had equal therapeutic effects in major depressive disorder. EPA plus fluoxetine combination was superior to either of them alone.

Eyesight and vision enhancement
The rods and cones of the retina in the eyes are very rich in DHA, one of the fatty acids found in fish oils. Hence, a deficiency in dietary fish oils will reduce the photoreceptor activity of retinal cells, and thus reduce visual acuity. On the other hand, supplementation with fish oils (or flaxseed oil) could lead to visual improvement with enhanced color perception.

Since levels of DHA in the brain decline with age, it is likely that the levels of DHA also decline in the retina. Is it possible that daily intake of fish oils can improve eyesight in older individuals? Do the types of fats and oils we consume have an influence on how well we see as we age? An epidemiological research study completed in Australia and published in Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that the incidence of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is reduced in those who consume fish. ARMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 50 and this eye disease is currently incurable. In this condition, central vision is lost, but peripheral vision almost always remains intact.

The retina lies in the back of the eye and is composed of cells called rods and cones. The retina gathers light and visual information from the outside world. This information is then transmitted through a special nerve bundle, called the optic tract, to an area in the back of the brain called the visual cortex. The visual cortex, in turn, interprets this information. The macula is the special central area in the retina used for fine focus such as reading, driving, watching television, and recognizing people. There is a gradual loss of visual acuity as the macula degenerates with age, eventually leading to blindness.
Why would eating fish be beneficial to the macula? The answer is not fully understood. Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of Mind Boosters: A Guide to Natural Supplements That Enhance Your Mind, Memory, and Mood, says, “We do know that the retina is chock full of omeg-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). Those who eat little fish or whose dietary intake is deficient in omega-3 oils may, over time, develop a shortage of these fatty acids in their macula.” He adds, “I often recommend fish oil supplements to individuals whose fish intake is very low. Clinically, I have noticed that they improve focus, color perception and clarity of vision.” Dr. Sahelian also recommends his patients consume adequate amount of fruits and vegetables that contain carotenoids and flavonoids, nutrients with antioxidant properties.

Reference: Dietary fat and fish intake and age-related maculopathy. Archives Ophthalmology 2000.