Fish oil is a hot topic in the world of nutrition. A lot of people are now understanding the importance of consuming fish oil and how it can help them overcome certain diseases and live a healthy life. I first came across fish oil a few years ago when I had not so great skin and pretty rough hair and so I was recommended by my therapist to start using fish oil and observe its positive effects. Needless to say, a year down the line, my skin actually showed off a glow and I could feel the softness! My hair was definitely growing stronger and had a soft shine to it. So, if you're like me wanting to try out fish oil, there's no reason why you shouldn't. Here's to giving you some very basic information on what exactly is fish oil and how is it beneficial for you.

What is Fish Oil?

Long explanations cut short, here's a quick definition from wiki,

“Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish. Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), precursors of certain eicosanoids that are known to reduce inflammation in the body, and have other health benefits.”

Along with vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium and other important substances, the body largely needs Omega-3 fats as it forms an important part of our cell membranes. Being an essential fatty acid or, “good acid”, Omega-3 is necessary for the body to remain strong and healthy. According to studies, research suggests that  a 1-2 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 should be maintained in the body as it not only helps in keeping it healthy, but also assists in overcoming diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. With numerous benefits to it's name, omega-3 is a compulsory supplement that your body should not be devoid of.

Fish Oil Capsules – Knowing the Basics

Now, fish oil has been gaining a poor reputation as people are quite intimidated with the pungent smell of it and millions actually dislike sea-food (oh yes, I'm not the lone weirdo here). So in cases like this, where you cannot bear consuming a spoon of real fish oil – the supplement capsule is your best option. In fact, people worldwide prefer taking capsules to actual fish oil because it's easy and convenient enough to find. And also because you get to obtain omega-3 benefits without having to bear the dreadful smell of real fish oil.

Like every other supplement capsules, the problem is getting the right brand of capsule. Because there are literally thousands of brands selling fish oil, it is quite difficult for the average consumer to identify which brand is most effective and also safe.

The emphasis on “safety”, is because most of the fish we consume are pretty much loaded with toxic materials such as mercury and metal; therefore, when the oil is extracted, the toxins remain unless molecular distillation is used to separate the toxins from the oil. Whether taken in the form of capsules or in actual oil form, it is important to find out if the oil has undergone molecular distillation. The second thing to understand is the type of fish oil that should be consumed. Not all fish contain Omega 3 or DHA/EPA (types of omega-3) and the levels of these substances may vary in various fish types. Generally, the Hoki-Fish (found primarily in New Zealand and adjoining coastal areas) has the highest levels of DHA/EPA and is the most popular type of fish oil to be consumed.

P.S – Good news!  If you're a fan of eating fish, then mackerel, tuna, or salmon are the ideal types of fish to get a good amount of Omega-3. And don't forget the humble sardine! These have the added benefit of being naturally low in contaminants and one of the most environmentally sustainable sources of fish we have.

Omega 3 and Fish Oil – Understanding the Difference

It is a common misconception that all fish oil has omega-3 and therefore should be consumed. Wrong theory. Not all fish oil contains omega-3 and without this main component, that fish oil does not offer us any benefit whatsoever. The fish oil is merely a carrier of the omega-3 fats and once taken, the omega is absorbed and not the oil itself – therefore any fish oil with low values of omega-3 is not useful for us. So when buying a fish oil supplement, it is important for you to note if the omega-3 is at least 50% in ratio to the fish oil – which essentially means that the fish oil extraction should be one that has a high level of omega-3 in it. That's the third sign you should look for when buying a fish oil supplement – the amount of omega-3 should always be above 50%.

In my next series, I'll be giving you a comprehensive list of benefits you can obtain from omega-3 and, oh my, the list is endless! From skin treatments to attention deficit disorder treatment, arthritis to memory improvement – all these problems have known to be successfully treated by the consumption of omega-3. So hold on there, while I go get my next capsule and start telling you how good it is!

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The energy we get to live good, healthy lives is gifted to us through our body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients from our food. So, it’s super important to put good things into our bodies (in the right amounts) and to keep our tummies in good working order. Over 50% of us admit to uncomfortable tummy symptoms on a weekly basis, which gives me a huge clue, most of us could use some digestive coaching! So what can you do easily every day to assist your digestive health? Mindful eating and good digestive habits go a long way to solving most people’s tummy woes. That’s why I recommend these three tricks to prime your stomach to receive and absorb the food you eat.

1. Eat when relaxed:

Surprise! Digestion begins in the mind and stress has a direct effect on your digestion – it seriously puts the brakes on! Prepare for your meals by creating a calm environment both on the inside and out. Turn off the TV, lay out your cutlery and take deliberate long, slow breaths to reset your nervous system. Two minutes deep breathing into your diaphragm does do great things to reduce stress and calm the mind. The thought, sight, smell and taste of food stimulates digestion, so take a moment to indulge the senses. Eating before your stomach is ready sets you up for gas, bloating and malnutrition. However, if you take time to relax, smell, taste and chew every delightful mouthful, your body gets all the right signals to breakdown and release the goodness you need.

2. Develop your taste buds:

Bitter foods are great ways of getting your digestive juices flowing and we need these digestive acids to support our good bacteria in the digestive tract. The acid in your stomach is the first line of defense when it comes to killing off any pathogenic bacteria that may be hiding in foods and helps absorb needed nutrients. Bad bacteria can build up if your stomach doesn’t produce enough acids to thoroughly break down foods. The consequence is lots of bacterial fermentation and, you guessed it – gas. This causes bloating and discomfort. However, including small amounts of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice & bitter green foods like endive, radicchio, rocket or dandelion greens helps support a healthy digestive environment. An excellent habit is taking 1 tsp raw apple cider vinegar or some fresh lemon juice in some water before each meal. The benefits are better absorption of nutrients and less digestive stress.

3. Avoid tea and coffee for 2 hours after your meal:

Choosing healthynutrient-richch foods are of little benefit if those nutrients are not absorbed into your body. The problem with drinking tea and coffee directly after eating is that the tannins in them bind to minerals (like iron) and prevent them from being absorbed. Iron is involved in the healthy workings of your immune system, mood, energy & metabolism, however up to 90% of the iron in your meals is lost if you drink tea or coffee within an hour of eating. Choosing low tannin teas like Rooibos or Dandelion Root or waiting 2 hours for your tea or coffee is the best way to avoid compromising your iron absorption and sets your body up for improved mood, energy and immune function via good iron supplies.

What happens if I don’t relax and prepare to eat?

We’ve all been there, eating on the run or while watching the 6 o’clock news – somehow food just doesn’t seem to go down as well. Habits like these cause damage to your digestive system and can lead to leaky gut, allergies and malnutrition. The fact is, with the right signals, there is a cascade of chemical events cracking open your meal & delivering the building blocks for repair, energy and a healthy life to each and every cell in your body. Why not take a breath, chew slowly and bask in the benefits 🙂

Having trouble recovering your digestive balance?

It’s important to take good care of your digestion, particularly if you are recovering from gastro, a stressful life period or a bout of antibiotics. All these events can throw out your good bacteria and leave you generally feeling under par. Most likely there is inflammation in your belly that needs a little TLC to repair. Nourishing your intestines with pre-biotic fibre, restocking your supply of healthy gut flora and reducing irritating foods, is all part of this process. If you need some advice on getting this done, come in and see me for a consult. No-one needs to be saying years down the track, ‘My belly’s just never been right since…’. Look after your digestion and your digestion will look after you.

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Ever thought about what your liver does for you? It’s likely you have only given your liver a cursory thought unless you’ve had a liver function test from your GP & it’s come up not so healthy. You’ve probably heard that your liver helps process alcohol, but in the wider scheme of things, this is just the tip on the iceberg when it comes to the talents of your liver. Essentially, nearly everything that enters our bloodstream, everything you eat passes through the liver. It’s your liver that makes sure everything gets filed into the right place, the bad things get filtered out & the good things get turned into energy & healthy tissue. If your liver is having trouble keeping up with its workload you are going to get a backlog of nasties polluting your amazing, fabulous body – and we can’t have that now can we?

Detoxification assists you to function at your best, however it may be particularly important to consider a detox program if you have a chronic condition, digestive symptoms, ongoing fatigue and inflammatory disorders. Detoxification can also support those with autism, autoimmunity, weight gain and in fact, any patient who wishes to improve their health, digestion and overall vitality. Aging well is also part of the benefits of caring for your liver. Look after your liver & it will look after you!

How can you tell your liver is under functioning?

There are many clues that your liver is under stress and these manifest as symptoms that mean you just don’t feel right. If you have any of the following, it’s time to detox:

• You feel tired, sluggish or lethargic
• Your concentration is not what it used to be
• You pick up every cold or sniffle that goes around
• Your breath is a constant battle to keep fresh – and not just cause you had an extra serving of garlic with lunch!
• You often have sinus congestion & post nasal drip – that yukky sensation of mucous in the back of your throat
• Your body odour is unpleasant when not using deodorant or perfume
• You get gas, bloating or discomfort after eating
• You have dark circles under your eyes
• You have allergies or a skin condition like eczema, acne or psoriasis
• You can go for more than 1 day without having a bowel movement
• You smoke, spend time around a lot of smokers or have smoked in the past
• You usually drink less than 3 cups of water a day
• You usually eat meat more than 2 times a day
• You tend to wake up bloated or puffy in the mornings
• You eat less than ½ cup of green vegetables a day
• What will a detox do for me?

A detox helps your body focus on repairing itself. This means that instead of working hard to process the Red Bull’s, coffee, refined sugars & saturated fats, not to mention the environmental pollution & stress we deal with every day, your liver will have time to do the normal stuff that keeps us feeling healthy. This means more energy, regular bowel movements, clear skin & easier weight management. People who frequently complain of headaches, allergies, food intolerances, hormonal imbalances and skin disorders usually find improvements in their symptoms as the gut restores optimal function following a detox.

What’s the link between weight loss & a detox?

Surprise! Your liver controls your metabolism. Ok, your thyroid has something to do with this too, but the liver & your thyroid gland work as a team & your weight loss team has dropped the ball if your liver is sidelined with a hangover, so to speak. Your liver transforms many of your hormones into their active state and this is also true for your thyroid hormones. So, your sluggish metabolism could have something to do with your overburdened liver. Healing your liver improves insulin sensitivity & this has benefits when it comes to shifting belly fat, which has the greatest risk of adverse health implications.

What does a detox involve?

Your liver is an integral part of your digestive system & doesn't operate alone. This said, a detox concentrates on healing & supporting the function of your digestion.

Step 1:

Dietary changes take the stress off your digestion with a focus on anti-inflammatory foods & your naturopath will guide you on any particular foods for you. This is part of the initial phase of reducing the burden on your liver & digestive system. Clean, healthy living is a lifelong goal, so a detox gives you a taste of what this is like & the benefits you will experience. During this period your naturopath may include herbs to assist balance the bacteria in your digestive tract & stimulate good digestion. This is where your bowel, liver & gall bladder get all the support they need to happily go about their work. You also need good levels of stomach acid to have healthy bacteria in your digestive tract – the fact is we have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that helps process our foods & actually nourishes the cells lining our intestines.

Step 2:

Here you focus on rebuilding the digestive lining to be all pink & healthy, supporting urinary elimination, alkalising the body and re balancing the beneficial flora levels within the gastrointestinal tract. Your naturopath will support you with supplements designed to heal your digestive tract, help you get rid of heavy metals stored in the body & build up your good bacteria.

Giving your liver a hard time?

It’s important to take care of your liver, particularly if you are taking a lot of medications, work in an environment with lots of pollutants, or have any of the symptoms listed above. The fact is your liver can regenerate its cells, we just have to give it the opportunity! If you would like some advice on starting a detox program, come in & see me for a consult. Correcting a lifetime of bad habits is something you generally need to do in baby steps, but your liver is a vital organ & not something you can do without, so taking those steps to detox is an important part of caring for your long term health.

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