Fish oil is the oil that is extracted from fish tissue. It is a dietary source of Omega 3 fatty acids and a critical supplement for the human body.
Fish oil contains Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), which are Omega-3 fatty acids. Together these fatty acids account for 30% of fish oil, while the other 70% is made up of other fats from fish.
What makes this supplement so popular and vital to health is that the body can not manufacture these specific fatty acids; they must be obtained from food.
The World Health Organization also recommends getting 1 to 2 portion of fish in diet per week due to the many health benefits of Omega-3s.
As its name suggests, fish oil comes from oily fish, such as Herring, Sardines, Trout, Mackerel, Anchovies, and Salmon. Fish oil is sometimes extracted from the livers of other fish, such as Cod or Shark.
Men who are not already eating some of these fish weekly, should consider fish oil supplements.
Fish oil supplements (Omega 3) are highly effective in many health conditions. That is the reason both adults and children in the United States mostly consume this non-vitamin or non-mineral natural product as per this research.
These omega rich supplements prevent inflammation and diseases, such as heart disease, and are particularly useful in aiding dry eye disease, which affects about 14% of adults in the United States.
While Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are beneficial for everyone, they also have their own unique set of health benefits for men. Here are a few unique ways fish oil boosts health for men:
Improves fat metabolism
Fish oil supplements help men lose weight by increasing their metabolism. By promoting muscle activity and cell growth, fish oil can increase men’s metabolic rate, which means they burn more calories each day.
Not only does fish oil impact resting metabolic rate, but research shows these supplements increase calories burned during exercise as well.
The body typically burns carbohydrates first for energy during exercise, but fish oil can help the body switch from burning carbohydrates to burning fat first for fuel.
Benefits bodybuilding
Fish oil not only promotes weight loss, but research suggests that the supplement can increase muscle mass as well. Because a pound of muscle burns more than a pound of fat, additional weight loss is attainable for men, aside from the general increase in metabolic rate.
One study on the effects of supplemental fish oil shows that the group who took fish oil lost more body fat and built 1.1 more pounds of muscle than those who did not consumed fish oil.
While there is insufficient research about fish oil and muscle mass, there are other note worthy benefits for bodybuilders.
Omega-3 fatty acids may increase men’s range of motion as well as reduce muscle soreness. When delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is less severe, this allows more time for training.
So in this way, fish oil indirectly increases muscle mass and helps in body building.
Boosts sperm health and fertility
Omega 3 fatty acids contain DHA, a component vital to male health, primarily the brain and the testes and only found in fish oil. DHA is the predominant of the omega-3s in most sperm cell membranes.
It helps form functional cells along with bind building blocks that make up the tip of the sperm cell called the Acrosome, responsible for penetrating an egg.
This means that fish oil helps semen to move around well enough to ultimately promote fertility.
Promotes testicular function
Fish oil supplements help in regularizing testicular function because Omega 3s regulate hormones such as testosterone, the primary male sex hormone.
Healthy levels of testosterone are essential for the regulation of sex drive (libido) for men. Testosterone also plays a role in maintaining bone and muscle mass, along with fat distribution.
Because testosterone levels peak around age 30 for men, many will experience a decreased interest in sex or a decline in sexual performance with age.
Testosterone plays an instrumental role in keeping men feeling confident and happy. Low testosterone level leads to decline in sex drive, that can cause depression, impacts male emotional and mental well being.
While there could be many reasons for low libido, but everyone should not consume just any testosterone supplements. Unlike fish oil supplements, some come with the risk of potential side effects.
Reduces impact of air pollution and asthma symptoms
Asthma is a respiratory disease that affects over 20 million Americans. Air pollution is one of the primary cause of Asthma, that even worsens asthma symptoms and triggers asthma attacks.
Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of antibodies, known as IgE, that cause asthma symptoms and allergic reactions.
Fish oil not only benefits the immune and respiratory system in this regard. It also protects the cardiovascular system, as it may help protect the heart against air pollution.
One study done at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill tested a group of healthy, middle-aged men with diets low in Omega-3s. Upon giving them three 1-gram capsules of fish oil per day for four weeks, the outcome was positive.
Another research concluded that Omega-3 fatty acids may offer protection against the adverse cardiac and lipid effects.
The group that received the supplements exhibited acute heartbeat regulatory changes and blood chemistry following exposure to pollutants.
Helps to ease anxiety
The brain is around 60% fat, and 20% of that should be Omega-3s because they are responsible for cell membranes’ structure.
Because brain membranes have a high number of these fats, a lack of Omega-3 may lead to behavioral and even psychiatric disorders. Researchers found that people who took up to 2,000 mg a day of Omega-3s had the most significant reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Although men are generally less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than women and experience it differently, the impact is real.
Anxiety for men manifests in symptoms such as anger and irritability to trouble sleeping, and they could benefit significantly from taking fish oil daily.
From a healthy libido to a healthy mentality, it is best to be proactive, and omega-3 fish oil is a simple, and safe way for men to take benefits in many aspects for their health.
