You know, it’s a funny thing about fish oil…. a lot of people know they should be taking it, but they have no idea WHY. That’s cool though, cause you know – that’s what I’m here for =) Yay you! Let’s get to it!
So why might one need fish oil daily? Well, here’s the short answer – because it’s pretty amazing. The end. Have a nice day!
Kidding, totally kidding. But for real – it’s because fish oils are super amazing for your brain and heart health. Not only that, but if you’re getting your oils from a great source you’re helping counteract a lot of our bad diets (yes, myself included – I’m not great here either). Let’s break this down a little further – I’m calling on the information provided from doTERRA for their xEO Mega Essential Oil Omega Complex supplement.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are nutrients required for many key functions in the human body, including cell growth, brain development, muscle activity, immune function, joint health, and many others.* While some fatty acids can be produced inside the body, “essential” fatty acids cannot be produced by our bodies; therefore, we rely on the food we eat to supply these important nutrients.
The most common of the essential fatty acids are omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Modern science suggests that for optimal health, humans should consume a one-to-one ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids. Unfortunately, due to the abundance of omega-6 fatty acids in vegetable oils and our increasing consumption of fried and fatty foods, a typical Western diet includes omega-6 fatty acids in a ratio as high as 20 to 1! While our diets must include some omega-6 fatty acids as essential nutrients for life, the disproportionate consumption of omega-6 fatty acids and other unhealthy hydrogenated or trans fats has been linked to poor health. Studies also link low intake of omega-3 fatty acids to reduced mood and cognitive function. From Dr. Axe, “According to research conducted at Harvard University, omega 3 fatty acid deficiency is officially one of the top 10 causes of death in America, claiming the lives of up to 96,000 people each year.
Conversely, there is an enormous body of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of increasing the dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption has a positive effect on cardiovascular health and brain function, and promotes healthy immune function.* Increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids has also been shown to have a positive impact on joint health and mobility, and on skin health.*
Restoring the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is an important step in keeping your body healthy. This can be done by decreasing your intake of unhealthy foods high in omega-6 fatty acids (like a lot of dairy, processed foods, cakes, cookies, etc.) and increasing your intake of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon, spinach, avocado, etc.). Fish is an excellent source of dietary omega-3 fatty acids, but omega-3s can also be found in canola oil and the oils of some nuts and seeds. Because of growing anxiety over the levels of toxins and heavy metals present in the world’s oceans, daily fish consumption as a source of omega-3 fatty acids is not acceptable to some consumers. In fact, many nutritional experts warn against frequent fish consumption to prevent exposure to these toxic pollutants. One solution? Taking an omega fish oil supplement (like doTERRA’s xEO Mega).
Also from Dr. Axe, “Also, not all fish oils are created equal. Most fish oils are highly processed and can oxidize easily because omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated, have a low heat threshold and can easily go rancid. For that reason, you want to buy a fish oil in triglyceride form that also contains antioxidants to preserve them like astaxanthin or essential oils.”
From the doTERRA info page:
One serving of xEO Mega® provides 900 milligrams of pure, micro-filtered marine lipids with 300 mg of EPA, 300 mg of DHA, and 70 mg of other omega-3s. Added to this is 200 mg of plant-based, omega-3 rich, Echium seed oil, along with 50 mg of pomegranate seed oil.
When you take doTERRA’s xEO Mega here are the benefits you’re reaping:
- Promotes heart and circulatory health*
- Supports healthy joint function and comfort*
- Provides immune-boosting nutrients*
- Protects against lipid oxidation and supports healthy function of the brain, eyes* and nervous system*
- Promotes healthy skin*
- Delivers 900 mg of pure, concentrated, molecularly filtered fish oil with 300 mg of EPA and 300 mg of DHA per daily serving, and 70 mg of other omega-3s
- Provides a wide range of omega-3 fatty acids including EPA, DHA, ALA and SDA from marine and plant sources to help maintain a healthy balance of these vital nutrients*
- Includes the powerful antioxidant carotenoid, astaxanthin*
- Formulated with a proprietary blend of doTERRA CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils of Clove, Frankincense, Thyme, Cumin, Wild Orange, Peppermint, Ginger, Caraway, and German Chamomile
- Includes 800 IU of natural vitamin D and 60 IU of natural vitamin E
- Does not contain milk or wheat products
- Specially formulated to be used daily with Microplex VMz® (info coming in a forthcoming blog post!) as a comprehensive dietary supplement foundation for a lifetime of vitality and wellness*
So all in all, take your fish oil supplements! Next post on the blog will be breaking down what you should know before you buy vitamin supplements!
