Why fish oil is useful for adults and children, and whether it can be replaced with linseed oil

Natural healthy fat is extracted from the liver of marine fish. Three types are produced in industry:

• white - suitable for internal use;
• yellow - used exclusively externally;
• brown - for technical use.

White is a light yellow transparent substance, similar in color and texture to refined vegetable oil. The product is available in liquid form and gelatin capsules. The encapsulated version is somewhat more expensive, but it neutralizes the specific aroma and taste of the vitamin supplement.

Chemical composition

What is the usefulness of fish oil, why it is recommended and what affects? The valuable components that make up fish oil regulate most of the metabolic processes within the body, increase efficiency and strengthen immunity.

• Complex of polyunsaturated acids Omega-3, Omega-6. The most important elements that are not produced by the body on its own. They contribute to the strengthening of the heart muscle and vascular walls, prevent the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis, normalize blood pressure and stimulate the brain, contribute to the breakdown of old fat reserves.
• Oleic acid (Omega-9). Prevents heart disease, prevents the formation of cholesterol and reduces the level of triglycerides in the blood by 35%, has anti-inflammatory properties, prevents colds, protects cells from the occurrence of cancerous tumors.
• Palmitic acid. Being the main substance of breast milk, this component is important for the proper development of the child's body. Promotes the normal absorption of calcium, normalizes the digestive system.
• Vitamin A (retinol). Responsible for the proper development and reproductive function of a person. Improves vision, condition of the skin, hair, nails, mucous membranes of the body, supports immunity.
• Vitamin D. Promotes good absorption of phosphorus and calcium by the body, strengthens teeth and bone tissue, improves the functioning of the nervous system. Prevents the development of osteoporosis and childhood rickets.

The product contains a small amount of valerianic, stearic, acetic acids, as well as iodine, zinc, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, magnesium, bromine. The content of these components is small, therefore, it has practically no therapeutic effect. The percentage of all components is presented in the following table.

Table - Content of fatty acids and other components in fish oil

Fish oil: health benefits and harms

Is it good to drink fish oil in capsules or can it be harmful? The correct dosage of the product can heal children and adults, but in the presence of some diseases, the use of the drug is strictly prohibited. In order not to harm the body, before using it is necessary to consult a doctor and adjust the diet.

Healing properties

Due to the presence of healthy fats in the composition, one cannot underestimate the healing properties of fish oil. However, its use is more suitable for the prevention, rather than the treatment of diseases. The product is able to prevent such serious health problems as oncology, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the cardiovascular system, muscles, kidneys, high cholesterol - this is what fish oil is useful for. It is also used for:

• lack of vitamins A, D, E in the body;
• treatment of eye diseases;
• dry mucous membranes;
• damage to the skin;
• fragility of nails and hair;
• impaired memory and mental disorders;
• gynecological and urological diseases;
• strengthening the immune system.

Positive effect

Reviews of fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids suggest that the product improves the brain's learning ability, visual memory, and analytical abilities. Who can be useful in the first place?

• Losing weight. Fish oil promotes weight loss by burning saturated fats, improving metabolic processes. By regulating the level of insulin in the body, the product processes stored fat into energy.
• Pregnant During pregnancy, as well as with breastfeeding, admission is permissible only in some cases as directed by a doctor. But during the planning period, its use is very desirable - for conception, the body of the expectant mother should be saturated with useful elements.
• Athletes. The use of useful fatty acids helps to accelerate the synthesis of proteins in muscle cells, which helps to build muscle faster and replenish lost resources after intensive training.
• To the children. The use of the product promotes healthy physical growth, intellectual and mental development of the child, increases memory and concentration, helps to develop fine motor skills.

Contraindications

Fish oil has its pros and cons. In some cases, this food supplement can do more harm than good. It can not be used by people with the following diseases:

• an excess of vitamin D and calcium;
• diseases of the urinary tract and bile ducts;
• tuberculosis and pneumonia;
• renal and liver failure;
• any diseases of the intestines and stomach;
• thyroid disease;
• individual intolerance.

Recommendations for use

The best time to take a vitamin supplement is from mid-autumn to late spring. During this period, the body especially needs additional nutrients. In capsule form, the child is allowed to give the product from three years.Indications for the use of fish oil for children and the dosage is determined solely by the pediatrician. When taking the supplement, be guided by the following four recommendations.

1. When to take. Reception is recommended to be carried out during or immediately after a meal, drinking plenty of water. You should not take the drug on an empty stomach - this can cause an eating disorder.
2. Single dose. It is one or two capsules, the frequency of administration is two to three times a day, depending on the content of the substance in the capsule. Dosage and administration may vary by manufacturer.
3. The minimum duration of admission. The course is four weeks, the interval between courses is about two months. Duration should be determined by the doctor.
4. The combination with vitamins. It is not recommended to take the product together with vitamin complexes containing vitamins A and D, in order to avoid their overdose.

How to choose a quality product

A quality product has a high degree of processing and purification, and it costs a lot. It is better not to take risks when buying the drug on unverified Internet resources, but to purchase goods at specialized drugstores. Pharmacists give six tips on what to look for when choosing.

1. The presence of a certificate of quality. The document should indicate the raw material - the type of sea fish from which the product was obtained.
2. Producing country. According to reviews, it is better to give preference to Norwegian manufacturers, whose products occupy about 80% of the world market. You can also focus on the choice of fish oil produced in certain regions of the Russian Federation. The products of fish factories in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk are considered the most popular.
3. Date of manufacture. The shelf life of the product indicated on the package must not exceed two years. After this time, fish oil loses its useful properties, and an expired product can be harmful to health.
4. Composition. On the label must be marked "medical", but not "veterinary", "food" or any other. The presence of fatty acids in the composition is at least 15%.
5. Packaging. Liquid or encapsulated fat should be in a tightly closed container, mainly made of dark glass. The penetration of oxygen and bright light adversely affects fatty acids and leads to spoilage of the product. Large containers are recommended to be avoided - in them the drug can quickly go rancid.
6. Home check. At home, you can puncture the capsule and taste the contents - it should not be bitter or have an unpleasant odor. It is recommended to store the product in a refrigerator or a cool place without direct sunlight.

Is there an alternative

The question of which is better - linseed oil or fish oil causes controversy among consumers. Both products contain beneficial omega-3 acids. Flax oil is rich only in alpha-linolenic acid, and fish oil is rich in docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids of this group, each of which has a wide molecular component. In order for a person to obtain the beneficial effect characteristic of the Omega-3 group, alpha-linolenic acid inside the body must be converted into two acids contained in fish fat.

Earlier it was assumed that it does not matter which of the omega-3 acids the body receives, since it independently synthesizes the one it needs from others. However, recent studies have shown that conversion of one polyunsaturated acid to another is too low, with minimal benefit.This means that it is impossible to replace the beneficial properties of fish oil for women, men and children with flaxseed oil. The components of a natural fish product are much more beneficial than plant-based acids.

Reviews: “Hair and nails have become much healthier”

I have long appreciated the real benefits of fish oil. I take it now every winter. She became sick less, sleep improved, and she became less irritated. In addition, fish oil contributes to my beauty. Hair became more shiny and strong, skin color improved, skin peeling disappeared, it became more elastic. True, in pharmacies now fish oil capsules are not cheap, so having to order it online is really cheaper.

Alisa Romanova, http://www.colady.ru/rybij-zhir-pokazaniya-i-protivopokazaniya-komu-i-dlya-chego-nuzhen-rybij-zhir.html

I do not accept fish oil, since I have hypothyroidism, I can not. But I give the child periodically. Thanks to its use, my son is less ill during the cold season.

Lyudmila http://budu-zdorov.net/produkty-i-zdorovje/poleznye-produkty/kak-prinimat-rybij-zhir-polza-i-vred.html

My baby had very dry pale skin in infancy, and doctors recommended giving the child fish oil. After some time, the picture improved, and the skin condition changed, returned to normal.

Marina, http://myadvices.ru/rybij-zhir-dlya-detej/

Vitamins and oils in fish oil are truly valuable to our body. We as a family buy fish oil in capsules and drink it in courses with short breaks. For the first time, fish oil capsules were introduced into your diet when the child had an allergy, and her condition was on the verge of bronchial asthma. Then the doctor prescribed us omega-3 as an additional treatment for allergic reactions, and we immediately noticed improvements - exacerbations occurred less and less. After that, they decided to drink fish oil with the whole family.

Angelina https://mixfacts.ru/articles/%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0% BC% D0% B8% D0% BD-% D0% B2-% D1% 80% D1% 8B% D0% B1% D1% 8C% D0% B5% D0% BC-% D0% B6% D0% B8% D1 % 80% D0% B5

Found an article about losing weight with fish oil. I started taking it every day for 2 months and soon felt the real result !!! The sides and abdomen decreased significantly, in addition, the hair and nails became much healthier. At the same time, I did not change my lifestyle, I just tried not to eat even less sweets at night. It helped me, now I periodically drink a jar, then take a break. I feel normal, and most importantly - the figure has changed!

Tatyana, http://safeyourhealth.ru/ryibiy-zhir-v-kapsulah-otzyivyi/