Reverse the effects of a fatty diet with fish oil supplements

Friday, September 02, 2016 by: Vicki Batts
Tags: fish oils, fatty diet, nutrition

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(NaturalNews) Fish oil has been held in high regard for its myriad of health benefits for a number of years now. Hearing it is good for you is really no surprise, but we are really just beginning to understand how beneficial it truly is. New research has revealed that fish oil supplements can actually help to reverse the effects of a high-fat diet. Diets loaded with high-fat, high-calorie foods are known for contributing to weight gain and high cholesterol. These effects increase the risks of obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Now, scientists from the University of Sao Paolo have found that a fish oil supplement actually helps to not only prevent these harmful effects, but to reverse them as well.

In the study, researchers utilized four different groups of mice. The first group was the control group, which received a regular diet and no supplement. The second group received a standard diet, but was also given the fish oil supplements. The two remaining groups were both fed a high-fat diet, but only one received the fish oil supplement. At the end of the four weeks, the researchers analyzed the mice and measured their body fat. The researchers also gathered biochemical data to measure metabolism, insulin resistance and fat deposition. What makes this study particularly interesting is that the mice began receiving the fish oil supplement four weeks before the high-fat diets were implemented, and then continued to receive it throughout the remainder of the study.

The group fed the high fat diet that did not receive a fish oil supplement exhibited higher body weight, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and higher LDL cholesterol levels. Conversely, the mice who were fed the same diet but given a fish oil supplement experienced anti-obesogenic effects and gained less weight. They also exhibited less insulin resistance and more normal cholesterol levels.

When discussing the findings, the study's lead author, Professor Maria Isabel Alonso-Vale, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, stated, "Our research suggests that fish oil supplements may be used in addition to other strategies as a preventative measure for insulin resistance and obesity."

Many other studies have found that the omega-3 fatty acid are beneficial to health in a variety of ways. Previous studies have found that omega-3 fatty acid consumption can help to retain brain health during the aging process, for example. One study found that women who ate the most fish and omega-3 fatty acids had better brain preservation than women who ate the least, suggesting that women who consumed more omega-3s would likely maintain better brain function for at least one or two years more than those who did not eat as much of it. Overall, the results indicated that consuming higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids can help to delay age-related cognitive decline.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also imperative to heart health. Studies have found that consuming these valuable fats helps to decrease the risk of arrhythmia, decrease triglyceride levels, slow the growth of arterial plaques and can even help to lower blood pressure. Of course, getting these valuable nutrients through food is always preferred. However, getting enough omega-3 fatty acids every day from just food can be difficult. Preventive cardiologist Gina Lundberg told USA Today that she recommends fish oil supplements to all of her patients. "Not just for the triglyceride-lowering benefit and cardiovascular benefits, but for the powerful antioxidant and brain-power benefits." In addition to being a cardiologist, Lundberg is also an assistant professor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and a spokeswoman for the Heart Association.

Before beginning any kind of supplement, it is always wise to discuss it with your naturopath or other chosen healthcare professional, but beginning an omega-3 fatty acid supplement regime may provide you with a variety of health benefits.

Sources:

MedicalXpress.com

OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com

USAToday.com

Science.NaturalNews.com