By Dr Betty Adderley
FOR centuries children were made to take cod liver oil as a means of preventing colds. As evil tasting as it may be, it is known to help recharge the immune system.
In addition to the old wives’ tale or myth, researchers now believe that omega-3 found in fish oil, a by-product of fish, can prevent heart attacks, lower blood pressure, and even alleviate migraine headaches, arthritis, some allergies, strokes, cancer and possibly more.
Fish is one food where fattier is healthier, and that is because the fattier the fish the more omega oil it contains. Omega-3 oil thins the blood and as a result prevents blood clotting which triggers heart attacks and strokes.
The benefits of fish oil were first discovered in the 1970s when Danish scientists studied the diet of Eskimos who eat plenty of fat fish and have fewer heart problems. However, more concrete evidence was published by the New England Journal of Medicine in later years.
In one study, Dutch researchers who followed 852 men for 15 years reported that the men who consumed more than an ounce of fish daily were half as likely to have heart attacks than those who rarely ate fish.
Another study done at the Oregon Health Science Centre found that giving people omega-3 in pill form sharply reduced the fat that can build up and block the arteries leading to the heart.
Recent studies also suggested that eating more oil rich fish can help reduce damage done to the lungs by smoking.
Fish that contains a rich supply of omega oil includes mackerel, tuna, turbot, bass, bluefish and trout. In areas where these are not plentiful, people resort to taking a high quality natural supplements. One with olive oil and vitamin E added is even better.
Many Bahamians have already added fish oil supplements to their diet, either to prevent the five killer diseases or for improvement of their respective conditions.
An individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, has reported that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but since taking omega-3 fish oil her condition has improved dramatically.
Cancer patients need to start taking omega-3 regularly, if they are not already doing so. I have a friend who was diagnosed with cancer over 12 years ago who immediately started on omega-3 along with beta-carotene .
Omega-3 from fish oil is also known to improve the conditions of gout, asthma, diabetes, influenza, cholesterol and high blood pressure.
It therefore makes good sense to get hooked on this stuff and stay healthy. The idea is not to wait until you are plagued with the symptoms.
Remember, “prevention is always better than cure.”
• For more information on the topic, contact the writer at 361-5435, or e-mail bett_on@yahoo.com.
Dr Betty Adderley is a veteran educator, certified nutritionist, trained counsellor, network marketing coach and motivational coach.
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