How does fish oil help with wieght loss

October 31, 8:04 PMBoise Fitness ExaminerBrett Denton

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Fish Oil Pills

Photo By Stephen Cummings

Fish Oil Fatty Acids

Fish oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA has a vital role in proper brain, eye, and neuronal functioning. Both DHA and EPA are believed to help in the areas of cardiovascular health and multiple other chronic disorders. There are no studies as to the exact ratio of DHA to EPA that should be consumed, but the recommendation is to 2:1 or 1:2. Further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms fish oil utilizes to help with fat loss.

Fish Oil Kills Fat Cells

Studies have shown that DHA prevents pre-adipocytes (pre-fat cells) from converting to adipocytes. The research also suggests that DHA mediates pre-adipocyte death. In other words, DHA prevents fat cells from forming by destroying them before they mature. The fewer fat cells in the body the less fat we can and do store leading to weight loss.

Fish Oil Increases Fat Oxidation

Fish oil increases the oxidation of fat in fat cells through speeding up the rate of activity in the mitochondria (energy producing organelle). In effect, this is boosting the body’s fat metabolism. The faster the body burns fat the more weight it loses.

Fish Oil Increases Thyroid Hormone Signaling

A study testing the effects of dietary fish oil on thyroid hormone signaling in the liver suggested that one of the mechanism fish oil affected lipid metabolism was by increasing thyroid hormone signaling to the liver. Amongst other things the thyroid regulates the rate of metabolism. Therefore, by fish oil up-regulating its signaling it is also speeding up the metabolism.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil

Fish oil does far more than just help the body burn fat. Fish oil has a role in every cell of the body and the list of benefits continues to grow. Some of the other benefits of consuming fish oil on a daily basis include: reduction of high blood pressure, significant reduction in blood tryglycerides levels, primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention, decreased joint pain, possible prevention cancers, and less menstrual problems. Further research is needed in all areas, but the general consensus is that fish oil (DHA/EPA) is a vital nutrient for the body.