TAG | Brain Health
Fish Oil for Muscles
05/9/12 0 Comments | Posted by renewlifesupport in Fish Oils, Oil Supplements
When omega-3 fish oil comes to mind, heart health is usually the first benefit attributed to it. Brain health and joint health are a close second and third. Did you know that omega-3s may also be helpful for your muscles?
According to a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, regular fish oil consumption, in conjunction with strength training, improved muscle force and function in elderly women. The study involved 45 women about 64-years-old, all assigned to a strength training program. Fifteen women received a standard fish oil supplement containing 400 milligrams EPA and 300 milligrams DHA during the 90 days of strength training, and 15 women received the fish oil for 60 days before strength training as well as throughout the strength training. Fifteen of the women strength trained but did not take fish oil supplements.
All women experienced improvements in muscle force and function, but the women taking omega-3 fish oil saw even greater effects than the women not taking it. The results of this study may be particularly important for aging women. Not only does strength training help build bone, but muscular strength is also important for stability as we age. The researchers stated, “The use of fish oil supplementation in addition to strength training potentiates the neuromuscular system, enhancing the muscle strength and the functional capacity in elderly women. Thus, fish oil may be an attractive supplement for the elderly to maximize their neuromuscular responses to strength training, which is important to life quality.”
If you are not taking fish oil already for its array of health benefits, consider it. Improved muscle function is one small benefit in addition to many others you may gain from this amazing nutrient.
Is Fish Oil The Key To A Younger Brain?
03/12/12 0 Comments | Posted by mjohnle in Oil Supplements
From piling on wrinkle creams to dying those nagging grays, it seems Americans are obsessed with preserving youth, but what about age-proofing your brain? New science reveals a smarter way to keep the brain young; fish oil. According to a new study published in the journalNeurology, diets lacking in omega-3, the essential fat found in fish oil, could lead to memory loss and dementia and cause the brain to age faster.
Click on the following link to watch a video on the topic: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/46548774/#46548774
In addition to supporting brain health and cognitive function, the main omega 3 fats found in fish, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have also been shown to support a healthy mood, normal inflammatory response in the body, immune health, eye health and heart health.
Wondering how much to supplement? As Dr. Snyderman points out in the video above, current national guidelines suggest at least 2 servings of fatty fish per week or a minimum of 500 mg combined EPA/DHA per day. However, some people, like those with heart disease or other health issues, may need to take up to double that dose.
If you’re thinking it might be tough to fit fatty fish into your weekly meal plan, you’re not alone. Whether it’s personal taste, limited availability or the increasing concern about the high levels of mercury in fish, many people are much happier getting the benefits of omega 3 fats in one convenient softgel rather than head to the fish counter at the grocery store. Just be sure that you choose a high quality fish oil that offers high concentrations of EPA and DHA, and has been purified to remove contaminants and is third-party tested for freshness.