fish oil illustration. © abcnews.go.com Merdeka.com – Seafood is a source of important nutrients to support the health of our bodies. Even some of the nutrients from marine materials are not owned by other food ingredients. Research shows that people who eat one to two servings of fish such as salmon per week can reduce their risk of heart disease by up to 36%.
In addition to consuming meat from these fish, we can also take advantage of salmon from the oil they can produce. Salmon oil itself is made from fish healthy fats, known as omega-3 fatty acids.
The main omega-3 fats found in salmon oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). By consuming salmon oil, it can be the best way to get this important nutrient, especially if you don’t eat fish often.
Then, what are the benefits that we can get from salmon fish oil?
Reporting from Healthline, here we present to you the benefits of salmon oil for the health of the human body.
Has anti-inflammatory properties
© The Taylor Hooton Foundation
The first benefit of salmon oil is the anti-inflammatory properties it contains. The inflammatory response is an important part of your immune system. However, excessive inflammation can lead to chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Research shows that the omega-3 fats found in salmon oil can suppress your body’s inflammatory response in a number of ways. For example, by reducing levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals produced by immune cells.
In fact, some research suggests that taking omega-3 supplements can help manage symptoms associated with certain inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and heart disease.
May Improve Blood Flow
The second benefit of salmon oil is to increase blood flow. Your body can use the omega-3 fats from salmon oil to make a compound called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide stimulates relaxation of blood vessels, which leads to better blood flow and reduced blood pressure.
A study in 21 people found that those who took DHA and EPA supplements – the omega-3 fats found in salmon oil, had significantly increased blood flow and oxygen delivery when exercising, compared to those who consumed a different type of oil.
Although the results of this study are positive, more research is needed to better understand how the omega-3 fats in salmon oil can improve blood flow and physical performance.
Promotes Skin and Eye Health
© 2018 Merdeka.com/P Pixabay
The third benefit of salmon oil is to improve skin and eye health. Adequate intake of omega-3 fats from salmon oil can benefit your skin and eye health.
Omega-3 fats play a role in the development of eye health in childhood. In addition, higher intake as an adult was associated with a reduced risk of eye diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
The omega-3s in salmon oil also contribute to skin health through their anti-inflammatory effects. A study shows that taking omega-3s can protect your skin from sun damage, reduce symptoms associated with dermatitis, and promote wound healing.
Lowering Triglycerides and Increasing Good Cholesterol
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Elevated triglyceride levels have been identified as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Meanwhile, HDL cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol, is known to have a protective effect on your heart health.
Research shows that the omega-3s found in salmon oil can play a role in lowering triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol.
Another study in 92 men with high cholesterol and triglycerides, compared the effects of eating salmon with eating other types of protein. The men who ate salmon daily for eight weeks experienced a significant decrease in triglycerides and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol, compared to those who consumed other protein sources.
This evidence suggests that the benefits of salmon oil can improve heart health by increasing the concentration and composition of fats in your blood.
Supports Fetal Development
© Shutterstock.com/Smit
Another benefit of salmon oil is to support fetal development. The omega-3 fats in salmon oil are very important for fetal development. Children born to mothers who ate fish or took omega-3 supplements during pregnancy typically scored higher on tests of cognitive and motor skill development than children whose mothers did not consume omega-3 fats.
Intake of omega-3s by mothers during pregnancy and children in childhood is also associated with a lower risk of behavioral problems in children.
Promotes Brain Health
There is strong evidence that omega-3 fats play an important role in brain development in children. Research shows that the benefits of salmon oil can also improve brain health later in life.
Test-tube studies have shown that DHA, one of the omega-3 fats found in salmon oil, plays a role in nerve cell repair and development. Additionally, adequate DHA intake is associated with reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, several test-tube and animal studies suggest that taking omega-3 supplements may also help prevent and treat Parkinson’s disease.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Several studies have shown that adding omega-3 fats from salmon oil to your diet, along with other healthy lifestyles, can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Several animal studies have shown that taking omega-3 supplements can reduce the tendency for excess body fat to accumulate.
Several human studies have also shown that taking omega-3 supplements has a similar effect, reducing body fat accumulation when the supplement is paired with a low-calorie diet and exercise program.
However, long-term research is needed to assess the benefits of salmon oil on obesity and weight control in humans.
[ank]
Read next: Has anti-inflammatory properties …
