Nutrition Tip: Fish Oil for Fat Loss and Good Health

November 29th, 2008 Posted in Healthy Lifestyle, Nutrition Tip, Supplements

I have been reading exercise and nutrition material written by a gentleman named Dr. John Berardi since the late 1990’s.

Since that time he has published 8 scientific abstracts; 15 scientific papers and textbook chapters; presented at nearly 50 scientific, exercise, and nutrition related conferences; and published countless articles online.

His first articles at Testosterone Magazine so many years ago, provided me with the basis for everything I know about nutrition today. Now I will turn some of that knowledge over to you in the form of Nutrition Tips written by Dr. Berardi himself.

Today’s Topic – Supplementing with Fish Oil

Supplementing with fish oil is great for your health. Why? Because fish oil contains essential omega 3 fatty acids.

Important for good human health, omega 3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats that are not made by the body, and must be obtained from the diet or through supplementation. Omega-3’s are comprised of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Both the omega 3 (ALA) and omega 6 (linoleic acid) fatty acids are essential nutrients which must be obtained from food or supplements. The omega-6:omega-3 ratio will significantly influence the ratio of certain bodily hormones (eicosanoids) such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes; and will alter the body’s metabolic function.

Omega 3 versus Omega 6

Unfortunately, omega 3 and omega 6 compete for the same metabolic enzymes, and when the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is too high in the body, synthesis of omega 3 is crippled.

This is why it is very easy to end up with a deficit of omega 3 fatty acids if additional omega 3s are not ingested through omega 3 supplementation. Thus accumulation of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids in tissues is more effective when they are obtained directly from supplements or when competing amounts of omega 6 analogs do not greatly exceed the amounts of omega 3.

Get Precision Nutrition

In fact, this ratio is so important that if you currently have an imbalance of omega 3 to omega 6, fixing the imbalance could have a profound effect on your body composition and workout recovery. Let’s see what JB has to say about it.

Tip: Fish Oil Rules

“I consider fish oil to be an essential supplement for fat loss.

Data from the University of Western Ontario shows that fish oil supplementation increases lean body mass (during non-dieting conditions), increases BMR (by up to 400kcal/day), decreases inflammation, and improves the ratio of fat/carb oxidized (sparing carbs, burning fat).

Recommended dose: Start with 6-10g per day of total fish oil (assuming 30% EPA and DHA).”

This tip is sponsored by Precision Nutrition – Project Swole’s pick for the best nutrition and supplement resource currently available. Containing system manuals, gourmet cookbook, digital audio/video library, online membership, and more, Precision Nutrition will teach you everything you need to know to get the body you want — guaranteed.

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Written by Steve
Steve is a formerly ISSA certified personal trainer and sport nutritionist, who has been studying, practicing, and experimenting since 1994. Please use the content at Project Swole to supplement the advice of your doctor or physician. All medical questions should be directed towards a qualified medical professional, and the advice provided at Project Swole should be used at your own discretion.

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Tags: fatty acid, fish oil, health, omega 3, omega 6, weight loss

6 Responses to “Nutrition Tip: Fish Oil for Fat Loss and Good Health”
By Sagar on Dec 2, 2008

Really awesome blog. I enjoyed reading review of loosing fat n weight using fish oil etc. I found that you really update your site regularly that made me more interesting. I’ve bookmarked your site for my future use.

Thank you

sagar rai
By Dan the Omega Man on Dec 3, 2008

Great Article,
Omega 3 is so important for our health. I would like to mention one thing though. Krill oil has been said by some experts to be better then fish oil in many ways. Some of these ways are krill oil has more anti oxidants and better ones at that. Krill is a renewable food source or at least more of one then fish. Krill oil is bound to phospholipids which make it more easily absorbed by the body. So you may want to think about trying krill oil to increase your omega 3 levels. To Learn More About Omega 3 -> Krill Oil
By Fitness Blogger on Dec 4, 2008

Fish oil is also very good at combating depression. It seems that the Omega 3, acts like an anti depressant.
By fish oil on Dec 19, 2008

So true! I have used fish oil to not only loose weight, but for joint pain, which is all gone, as long as i take it regularly. And in the dark gray winter months that usually make me feel a little “down” i take a little extra and it really does lift my spirits.
By Los Angeles personal trainer on Dec 30, 2008

Omega 3 fatty acids are like God’s medicine cabinet. It has to be one of the single best supplements hands down. I take it mostly for stiff joints. I recommend that all my clients take it daily. I prefer an enteric-coated version…less fishy back up.

Thanks.
By Muscle Building Tips on May 21, 2009

Dont know how much fish oil effect fat loss efficinecy but it shurely has great effect on health .. pisitive effect, because of the good fatty. Great article

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