What Is Fish Oil Good For: Details Of The Research

A recent study revealed that you could lose weight using fish oil. Let us take a look at this study so that you can understand how fish oil can help you!

Omega-3 fish oil consumption has suddenly become quite the rage, all over the world. To give it credit, recent research has shown that diets containing fish-oil supplements coupled with regular moderate exercise have led to weight loss.

Details Of The Research

The University of South Australia conducted a significant study to find out the effects of a fish oil supplement and exercise on obese subjects. 75 people having problems of obesity and weight were taken up for the study.

Most of them also had hypertension, suffered from high cholesterol and other cardiovascular diseases.

The group was split into two and half of them were given fish oil, which has Omega-3 and the other half were given sunflower oil, which has no Omega-3.

Each group was again split, and half were advised to take no exercise while the other was asked to run for 45 minutes at 75% heart rate, three times a week.

So they now had four groups.

Group 1: Fish oil, no exercise

Group 2: Fish oil, exercise by 45-minute runs

Group 3: Sunflower oil, no exercise

Group 4: Sunflower oil, exercise by 45-minute runs

All groups were asked to stick to their regular diets.

Three weeks later, the groups were asked to come in for checkups. Groups 1, 3 and 4 showed almost no change. But Group 2 which had the fish oil and the exercise prescribed showed a weight loss of about 2 kilos and a noticeable decrease in body fat.

Considering that no changes were made to the regular diet, these results are significant. The exercise levels suggested were moderate and within the capacity of each participant.

So clearly if you adopt a diet by also counting the calories and adjusting them downwards suitably, and go in for a more strenuous exercise regime, with the use of fish-oil supplements, the weight loss can be significant.

Additional research has suggested that Omega-3 improves the flow of blood during exercise and helps the muscles. It also stimulates the endocrine glands to produce enzymes that use up and distribute fat to where it can be used by the body.

The enzymes further increase the metabolism and help to reduce weight by helping the body to use up calories even when it is at rest Omega-3 fish oil is available quite easily nowadays, and is even added to certain foods and drinks.

It helps boost brain and memory functions, good-eye development and maintaining the eye function, and reduces the risks of strokes and the onset of the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease has further boosted its popularity.

The University is planning further studies with Omega-3 and its effects over a longer period and more intensive exercise. The results will be awaited eagerly by people and nutritionists alike.

Omega-3 is best consumed in the natural form, but if fish-oil supplements are used instead, and coupled with an exercise program, weight loss is a possibility, even while continuing your normal diet.