All oily fish (herring, kippers, mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, whitebait and anchovies) contain Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA's). They are called essential because they cannot be made within the body and must be obtained from the diet.
Omega-3 oils provide a range of health benefits. They are crucial for protecting the parts of our brain that send messages to the body, and improving memory. They also strengthen cardiovascular health - providing protection against heart disease, helping prevent blood clots, and lowering cholestrol levels and high blood pressure.
Fish oils also have a beneficial effect on arthritis, swollen joints, dry skin and inflammatory skin conditions. Another health benefit of taking fish oils is a reduction of the symptoms of PMS.
Besides containing EFAs, fish are a good source of the antioxidant selenium. This mineral helps protect against the development of cancer by detoxifying the body, removing heavy metals such as mercury from the body and mopping up free radicals.
Selenium also protects against heart disease so oily fish are an excellent inclusion in the diet. Vitamin E is another antioxidant found in many oily fish.
No comments:
Post a Comment