Scientists were first alerted to the many benefits of fish oils in the early 1970s when Danish physicians observed that Greenland Eskimos had
an exceptionally low incidence of heart disease and arthritis despite the fact that they consumed a high-fat diet. Intensive research soon
discovered that two of the fats (oils) they consumed in large quantities, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid),
were actually highly beneficial. More recent research has established that fish oils (EPA and DHA) play a crucial role in the prevention of
atherosclerosis, heart attack, depression, and cancer. Clinical trials have shown that fish oil supplementation is effective in the treatment
of many disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Raynaud's disease.
An extensive medical literature testifies to the fact that fish oils prevent and may help to ameliorate or reverse
atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Fish oils help maintain the elasticity of artery walls, prevent blood clotting, reduce blood pressure, stabilize heart rhythm
and help combat inflammation. There is also considerable evidence that fish oil consumption can reduce the risk of
breast and prostate cancer and help slow their progression. Daily supplementation with fish oils has been found
effective in preventing the development of colon cancer and has also been found to help combat depression.
It is clear that consuming a diet rich in oily fish or alternatively, supplementing with fish oils is one
of the most important steps one can take to ensure vibrant and lasting health. HOWEVER, pollution of fresh water
lakes and even the oceans is now so extensive that a growing number of species should not be consumed regularly
as they contain large amounts of mercury and other industrial pollutants. Fresh, wild pacific salmon is still an excellent
source of safe fish oil, but if that is not available then a high quality fish oil is the answer to ensuring that daily needs for EPA and DHA are met.
Only fresh, highly purified fish oils (molecular distilled, pharmaceutical grade) stabilized with vitamin E should be consumed. Some very recent
British research has shown that emulsified fish oils are absorbed at twice the rate of non-emulsified oils.
Low quality oils should be avoided as they are unstable and may contain significant amounts of mercury, pesticides, and undesirable oxidation products.
Although totally different in molecular structure, coenzyme Q10 is an excellent companion to fish oils.
CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect fish oils against oxidation and also helps regenerate vitamin C and vitamin E. Like fish oils it
is highly beneficial for heart disease and cystic fibrosis patients and in addition, helps prevent fatigue, migraines and stroke damage.
Coenzyme Q10 is also an absolute must for patients taking statins as these drugs severely depletes the body's stores of coenzyme Q10.
