You don’t hear people reference EPA fish oil very often, as DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that gets the most attention. EPA does have quite a few benefits of its own to offer you though, and you should be aware of exactly what it is that it will do. Let’s take a look at this acid, where it comes from, and what your best sources are for obtaining this beneficial substance.
This omega-3 fatty acid is most often obtained in the human diet through the consumption of oily fish, such as herring, mackerel, salmon, menhaden, and sardines. These fish are known as excellent sources of EPA, but they do not actually produce the substance themselves. Their source of EPA is the algae that they consume.
Many people get this and other omega-3 fatty acids through including microalgae, and the supplements derived from it in their diets. This is the way that many vegetarians get their supply of omega fatty acids, since they choose not to partake in the eating of fish. I would personally rather take an approved EPA fish oil however, because these supplements also let you know exactly how much of each fatty acid you are getting.
You can benefit from supplementing your diet with an EPA rich formula, even though the human body is capable of converting a-linolenic acid into EPA. This conversion process is much less efficient than the absorbing EPA through the foods that we eat. You want to make sure also that there is an ample supply of a-linolenic acid, since it too is an essential fatty acid.
One of the benefits of supplementing your diet with EPA fish oil, is that it is though to posses the potential for treating many mental conditions, such as schizophrenia. Studies have reported evidence of a reduction in the scores on the symptom scales used to measure the severity of schizophrenia symptoms when EPA supplementation is added to the diet.
There have also been studies conducted to test the effects that EPA supplementation has on depression, and on suicidal behavior. It was discovered that the levels of EPA in the blood cells were significantly lower in patients that had attempted to commit suicide. EPA has also been cited in studies on coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammatory disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The effects of EPA fish oil can play a big role in keeping you healthy. What you will want to do in my opinion is seek out a source that is offering the purest supplements that you can find. There are international fish oil standards that have been set up, and you should examine suppliers Certificate of Analysis to ensure that the level of contamination of the product meets or exceeds these standards.
So far as the fish that you want your EPA fish oil to come from the best are the hoki fish of New Zealand, and the South Pacific tuna. These come from some of the cleanest ocean that we have left, so the threat of contamination will be insignificant. Start using fish oil today and you will have a better tomorrow.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily.
Visit her site
http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
