Why do you take fish oil tablets?

Answer 1

Yes.

Flax seed is a source of GLA. GLA is also know as gamma-linolenic acid and is considered a healthy Omega-6 Fatty Acid. GLA serves as a building block for prostaglandins, a group of hormone-like substances that regulate many crucial functions of the body. Adequate levels of GLA has important health benefits.

Supplementing with GLA helps to offset the consumption of unhealthy Omega-6 Fatty Acids which are prevalent in the typical American diet.

Fish oil capsules provide Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the inflammatory response. It is because they inhibit the inflammatory response that they are healthy fats to consume. Inflammation is the key process causing many of the chronic, degenerative diseases that afflict Western cultures.

Answer 2

Taking fish oil tablets provides you with a large dose of Omega-3 fatty acids.

There are three types of "omega's": 3, 6, and 9. Our bodies can synthesize 9 on its own, and the American diet is chock full of 6, from vegetable oils in our diets. Unfortunately, Omega-3's tend to be harder to get, unless you eat lots of cold water, fatty fish. Because the ratio of the three omega's is what matters (much like the ratio of HDL and LDL cholesterol is what matters), a diet deficient in Omega-3's can cause problems.

Fish oil supplements are generally used to benefit the heart, although taking them can help you see improvements in other aspects of your health as well. The book "The Omega Rx Zone" by Dr. Barry Sears discusses the benefits in detail. Reports of Alzheimer's patients taking high dose fish oil supplements show that there was increased memory retention. World renowned dermatologist Dr. Nicolas Perricone also touts fish oil as a way to improve skin health.

Sources: "The Omega Rx Zone" by Dr. Barry Sears

"The Perricone Prescription" by Dr. Nicolas Perricone.