Tag: 3 Fatty Acids

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Weight Loss Exercise

Krill Oil Supplement for me


I have switched, maybe temporarily from Omega 3-6-9 pills once a day to Krill Oil capsules instead. I have heard a little bit about Krill oil and after having looked around it seems like it may be a good supplement in exchange for my Omega fish oil pills but only time will tell.

Benefits of Omega Vitamins

Omega vitamins are very good for us as they help out, or are credited with helping out with lots of things, my wife just calls them heart pills but they are so much more. Most of the time Omega vitamins are associated to fish oil as this is the best source of Omegas. Here are some notes from a Wikipedia page on Fish oil:

  • Cancer – Several studies report possible anti-cancer effects of n-3 fatty acids found in fish oil
  • Cardiovascular – A 2008 meta-study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal found fish oil supplementation did not demonstrate any preventative benefit to cardiac patients with ventricular arrhythmias
  • Mental health – Studies published in 2004 and 2009 have suggested that the n-3 EPA may reduce the risk of depression and suicide.
  • Alzheimer’s disease – According to a study from Louisiana State University in September 2005, Docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid often found in fish oil, may help protect the brain from cognitive problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Lupus – In a Northern Ireland study, lupus disease activity, especially in the skin and joints, was significantly reduced in patients who received fish oil supplements at both 12-week and 24-week follow-up periods versus patients who received placebo.
  • Parkinson’s disease – A study examining whether omega-3 exerts neuroprotective action in Parkinson’s disease found that it did exhibit a protective effect in mice.
  • Depression – Several methodologically rigorous studies have reported statistically significant positive effects in the treatment of depressed patients
  • Psoriasis – Diets supplemented with cod liver oil have shown beneficial effects on psoriasis.
  • Pregnancy – Omega-3 protect against fetal brain injury and promotes fetal and infant brain health. Some studies reported better psycho motor development at 30 months of age in infants whose mothers received fish oil supplements for the first four months of lactation.

I have been taking these pills for years and have never had any of the side effects such as stomach upset or fishy breath smell.

Krill Oil compared to Fish Oil

Krill Oil Supplement for me

Krill Oil

Krill oil is a fairly new and kind of expensive replacement for Regular fish oil for Omega Vitamins. I found Krill Oil pills at my local Costco but I think any vitamin store carries them these days but not every supermarket like we find Fish Oil at.

A study conducted by McGill University compared the two on cholesterol help. Daily doses of krill oil are significantly more effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia (blood fat levels) than the same daily dose of fish oil. Also, the unique molecular composition of krill oil is much more diverse in active ingredients and because of that is more beneficial in the reduction of risk for cardiovascular disease.

Also there is the fact that because of the molecular composition of the Ktill Oil it is easier for you body to digest and use then fish oil is.

This increasingly popular supplement is chock-full of vitamins and minerals that are important to them in body. Along with the DHA and EPA which help with cholesterol, heart disease and blood sugar there is a significant amount of vitamins A, D and E.

There are also two very strong antioxidants that help the supplement maintain its benefits. Both canthaxanthin as well as astaxanthin can be found in Krill Oil. Both of these antioxidants have been known to help a variety of different mechanisms within the human body including the central nervous system and the brain.

Price as a Krill Oil downside

You may have looked at the price of Fish Oil pills (also known as Omega 3-6-9) in the grocery store and seen that it is quite cheap. The same can not be said for Krill Oil. This was the first time that I saw and bought Krill Oil but it was about $19.00 for 120 pills and you are supposed to take 2-4 pills a day, this is why I say it may be temporary as Krill Oil may break my vitamin pill budget.

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Weight Loss Exercise

High Fructose Corn Syrup Makes You Dumb?


I heard this story on the news this morning and it makes a bit of sense to me, even if I am not a rat. High Fructose Corn Syrup is pretty bad for you anyway and this study seems to show that.

A new UCLA rat study is the first to show how a diet steadily high in fructose slows the brain, hampering memory and learning — and how omega-3 fatty acids can counteract the disruption. The peer-reviewed Journal of Physiology publishes the findings in its May 15 edition.

“Our findings illustrate that what you eat affects how you think,” said Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, a professor of neurosurgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a professor of integrative biology and physiology in the UCLA College of Letters and Science. “Eating a high-fructose diet over the long term alters your brain’s ability to learn and remember information. But adding omega-3 fatty acids to your meals can help minimize the damage.”

While earlier research has revealed how fructose harms the body through its role in diabetes, obesity and fatty liver, this study is the first to uncover how the sweetener influences the brain.

Results of the High Fructose Corn Syrup Rat Study

High Fructose Corn Syrup Makes You Dumb?

Even Coke contains high fructose corn syrup

The UCLA team zeroed in on high fructose corn syrup, an inexpensive liquid six times sweeter than cane sugar, that is commonly added to processed foods, including soft drinks, condiments, applesauce and baby food. The average American consumes more than 40 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We’re not talking about naturally occurring fructose in fruits, which also contain important antioxidants,” explained Gomez-Pinilla, who is also a member of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute and Brain Injury Research Center. “We’re concerned about high-fructose corn syrup that is added to manufactured food products as a sweetener and preservative.”

So looking at this study is just another nail in the coffin for high fructose corn syrup which is really a terrible sweetener however cheap it is to produce. The best way to avoid HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) is to avoid pop and sodas and sweetened juices as well as any foods that are highly processed. Remember that because this substance is so sweet and cheap it is a very easy and cheap way to sweeten foods instead of using regular sugar. Also there are studies that show that HFCS will also help cause diabetes and this was one of the real starting points where some scientists say that the obesity issues in the US were caused by.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

Why you need fat to lose weight if you already have to much fat? If you read any type of healthy living guide you will be told that 25% –  30% of your total calories should come from fat. If you are eating around 1,800 calories per day this is 250 fat calories each and every day. so it is important to know what and why you need fat to lose weight.

The key to eating this amount of fat each day without health problems is to choose the right type of fat. Fats are classified into two main groups the good fats and the bad ones.

The Good Fats

Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

Unsaturated fats are classified as the Good fats and can be split into two groups Monounsaturated Fats and Polyunsaturated Fats. Monounsaturated fats help raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. This type of fat also works to prevent a build up of fat in your arteries and helps reduce that unwanted and dangerous belly fat.

The best sources for unsaturated fats are olive oil, olives, canola oil, almonds, peanuts, cashews, sesame seeds, peanut butter and avocadoes.

Polyunsaturated fats are those which contain omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 helps to boost your brain function, improves your moods and strengthens your immune system. Omega 6 fatty acids are important for keeping your skin and eyes in healthy condition.

Good sources of Omega 3 are found in fish like herring and salmon and in walnuts, flax seed and tofu. A good source of Omega 6 is in corn and safflower oil along with corn fed chicken and beef. Your goal should be to eat more Omega 3 sources of fat and only small amounts of Omega 6, as too much of this can lead to heart disease.

The Bad Fats

Saturated fats are commonly known as the bad fats. Consuming too many of these types of fat can lead to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. You may be eating far to much saturated fats and that is why you need fat to lose weight with only unsaturated fats

It is easy to see saturated fats as they are seen in hard sources. For instance in chicken skin and on bacon, your best bet to limit your intake of saturated fat is to simply remove as much as possible before cooking or eating. Other sources of saturated fat are cream, 2% milk, coconuts and palm oil.

Trans Fats are probably the worst culprit on the list when it comes to bad fats. Trans Fats are pretty much man made. These are the fats that manufacturers add to foods to prolong their shelf life. Trans fats raise bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and lower good levels (HDL). These fats are totally responsible for causing heart disease!

You will find Trans Fats in shortening, margarine, crackers, cookies, chips and all processed foods.

Now you understand what fat is and the difference between good and bad fats. We can move on to why your body needs fat and why it helps and why you need fat to lose weight when it comes to losing weight.

Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

Fat is a wonderful source of energy. Each gram of fat provides your body with 9 calories of energy. Protein and carbohydrates only provide your body with 4 calories.

Fat is responsible for keeping your cells healthy. Each cell is surrounded by a fatty membrane, without this your cells would not work properly. Your nerve fibers are also surrounded by fat. The fat acts as insulation and protection and actually allows messages to be transmitted throughout your body faster.

Certain vitamins require fat to be absorbed by your body effectively. This includes vitamins A, D, E and K which your intestines require daily.

Your body uses fat to regulate its sex hormones and other bodily functions. You will notice this in girls who are so thin that they do not menstruate.

Fat acts as a protection for your body. It helps to keep you warm in the winter. Leaner people often feel the cold more than those who are heavier. Fat is also responsible for keeping your skin smooth and glowing. Dry, flaky skin is often a sign of a fatty acid deficiency.

Your heart, kidneys and liver need to be protected and insulated and this is done by fat. This layer of fat helps to protect your organs from injury and keeps them in place.

Fat and Weight Loss

When you combine protein with fat you have the makings of a fast weight loss formula. Of course you must be careful of how much and which type of fat you eat.

The combination of protein and fat makes you feel fuller longer. You will experience less hunger pangs. The other benefit is that your blood sugar will be more stable. You won’t be bothered by sweet cravings, feeling light headed or shaky or suddenly feeling as though you are starving.

A good protein and fat meal would be a meal that consists of scrambled egg with ham. When cooking the eggs add peppers, mushrooms and onions. This is a great breakfast or brunch on the weekends. You will feel more energized all morning and be able to go about your daily tasks with gusto.

So remember that fat provides your body with more energy than protein and works to keep you feeling full. The foods to avoid when losing weight or just for living a healthy lifestyle are:

  • Refined foods
  • Refined sugar
  • Foods high in carbohydrates like bread and white flours
  • Processed oils like margarine
  • Hard fats

Smoking, stress and lack of exercise are all causes of heart disease, diabetes and other ailments. Take steps to include more exercise and reduce your stress levels.

Conclusion – Why You Need Fat to Lose Weight

While certain fats can be detrimental to your health the good fats are required to keep your body in good shape and health. By limiting your fat intake and watching which type of fat you are consuming, you will start to lose weight and feel healthy again. A lot comes down to why you need fat to lose weight

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