Eating oily fish linked to longer, healthier life
Enoch Darfah Frimpong
Health
3 minutes read
[Related: Vitamin sales are falling - do we need them?]
The best way to ensure you're getting the best balance of
omega-3s is through your diet. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence
(NICE), which advises the NHS, currently recommends we eat at least two
portions of oily fish a week.
Oily fish are sardines, mackerel, fresh (not tinned) tuna, salmon, whitebait,
trout, pichard, herring and anchovy. Vegetarian omega-3s are also provided in
some seeds such as flax and rapeseed oil.
Due to pollutants found in oily fish, pregnant women and those breastfeeding
are recommended not to eat more than their two portions a week.
Omega-3 supplements
If you don't eat fish or are concerned about the pollutant levels, this is
where supplements come in. There are mixed opinions in the medical world when
it comes to taking fish oils in capsule form.
NICE does not specifically recommend supplementation in this case and some
experts believe they are unnecessary. But other medical professionals swear by
omega-3 supplements so it can be difficult to know who to believe.
[Related: Healthy superfoods we should all be eating]
It's really down to personal choice so keep a note of how
you feel when you take the supplements.
Some people find they improve concentration and memory, while others take them
to reduce inflammation that causes painful joints. If you notice no difference,
you may not need the supplements.
When choosing your supplement, look for brands that contain DHA and EPA and
that give you a breakdown of what's in the capsule or liquid on the label. You
want supplements that are open about their source, which may mean you need to
pay a little more for quality.
Source: Yahoo Lifestyle
