One of the most commonly used dietary supplements, fish oil, is made up of the oil and fat that is extracted from fish tissue.

Mackerel, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon are known to have the highest percentage of omega-3 oil content. These omega-3s provide numerous health benefits and are directly responsible for a variety of cell functioning. Plus, adding fish oils to your diet is inexpensive and effective, to boot. So how exactly can consuming fish oil benefit you and your health?

It's Good For Your Heart

As the leading cause of death around the world, heart disease is a serious concern. Many studies have demonstrated that those who eat more fish have much lower rates of heart disease. Consuming fish oil can increase levels of the "good" cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, remove plaque from the arteries, and reduce fatal incidences of abnormal heart rhythm. The American Heart Association also recommends adding fish oil to your regular diet if you have suffered from a heart attack or heart failure to reduce the risk of future episodes. 

Can Assist With Weight Loss and Maintaining a Healthy Weight

The addition of fish oils to a healthy diet, combined with light exercise, has been shown to reduce obesity, a dangerous health epidemic plaguing much of the world. Belly fat surrounds your critical organs and can impede their functioning, causing illness, disease, or complete failure. 

Low levels of omega-3s are thought in the scientific community to play a significant role in the accumulation of this dangerous belly fat. Adding omega-3s through eating more fish or consuming fish oil supplements thus reduces your risk of having a weight problem. 

It is understood that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil improve blood flow to the muscles during physical activity, helping to stimulate fat-transporting enzymes to places where they can be used as energy. 

Can Protect Your Vision and Support General Eye Health

Studies have shown that those who don't get enough omega-3s have an increased risk of eye diseases. Omega-3 fats play a crucial part in the structures of the eye, which begin to weaken naturally in old age. Replacing those levels of omega-3s can thus improve vision and overall eye health.

Promotes Healthy, Radiant Skin

Your skin naturally contains a ton of omega-3 fatty acids. Some factors, such as excessive sun exposure and aging, can cause too much moisture to leave the body, resulting in dry, flaky skin. Some studies have shown taking fish oil supplements to be more efficient than applying high-end moisturizers. These omega-3 powerhouses can also benefit you if you have a skin disorder, such as psoriasis or dermatitis. 

Acts as an Anti-inflammatory Agent

Inflammation is your immune system's way of fighting off invaders. However, it sometimes goes into unnecessary overdrive due to conditions such as obesity, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain and stiffness, heart disease, and diabetes. Fish oils have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce symptoms of these diseases.

Stimulates the Brain and Helps Treat Mental Disorders

Much of your brain is composed of omega-3 fatty acids, making them crucial for normal brain functioning. Fish oils rich in these fatty acids have been shown to improve not only brain functioning and memory: they are also thought to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. 

Some studies even suggest that depleted omega-3 levels play a significant role in mental disorders, particularly those with depressive symptoms and anxiety. Furthermore, studies have shown that utilizing fish oil improved the symptoms of both schizophrenic and bipolar patients. 

Provides Nutrients Essential for Healthy Babies and Mommies-to-Be

Doctors and researchers alike have asserted that omega-3s are essential for growth and development, particularly in the earliest phase of life. Pregnant women must make a conscious effort to consume enough of these healthy fats both during the gestational period and postpartum if breastfeeding. 

Though it is unclear whether fish oils improve learning or increase the IQ of the fetus, studies have demonstrated an improvement in vision development and hand-eye coordination in babies born to mothers who utilized fish oil supplements. The omega-3s in fish oil have also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing specific allergies, as well as asthma, which has become much more common in infants.

As you can see, fish oil is a highly beneficial supplement that is recommended for people of all ages. It is recommended that you consume one to two portions of fish per week (or substitute supplements in its place) to obtain essential omega-3 fatty acids.