Research on Fish Oil and Weight Loss

"Omega 3 Fatty Acids are Healthy Fats!"

Can you use fish oil for weight loss?

While fish oils have been shown to have a cardio-protective effect on the human body there's conflicting research on whether this healthy marine oil can have an effect on your metabolism and body weight.

Fish oils have been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels, improve some diabetics' response to insulin, and reduce inflammation within the body.

However, there are reports suggesting fish oil may enhance weight loss by:

• Increasing your metabolism to facilitate more efficient fat burning.

• Decreasing your body's ability to store fat.

• Lowering unhealthy high levels of triglycerides.

• Improve healthy HDL cholesterol levels.

The following studies look at the use of omega 3 fish oils and their possible effects on weight loss, metabolism and cardiovascular parameters.

1. Test Subjects Lose up to 2 pounds...Without Exercising

Reykjavik, Iceland - Researchers at the University of Iceland concluded that a diet including fish or fish oil helps weight loss.

A group of overweight men and women were divided into four groups and instructed to eat one of four diets.

The diets consisted of no seafood, lean fish, fatty fish and fish oil supplements.

After four weeks, the fish and fish oil groups lost about 1 kg. more weight than those not eating seafood or fish oils.

While the caloric intake was identical across all four groups, researchers believe the amount of protein in the diet may have an effect on increasing the metabolism; thereby leading to weight loss.

2. Omega 3 Fish Oils Reduce Hip Circumference

Czech Republic - Researchers in the Czech Republic discovered omega 3 fatty acids may help the body burn fat more efficiently, leading to reduced fat storage and a reduction in hip circumference.

Scientists arranged for a group of overweight women to eat a low-calorie diet and take either a fish oil omega 3 fatty acid supplement or placebo.

The women who received the fish oil supplement experienced:

• increased weight loss

• an improvement in fat metabolism

• improved fat burning capacity

Researchers also found fish oil reduced glucose conversion to fat. Study subjects noticed a decreased hip circumference measurement at the end of the study.

And research on fish oils and diabetes has shown omega 3 fatty acids have no negative effects on blood sugar or insulin sensitivity.

3. Using Exercise and Fish Oil for Weight Loss

Fish oils and exercise may help weight loss

Australia - Australian scientists found a combination of daily exercise with fish oil lead to improved weight loss and cholesterol levels in overweight adults.

Seventy-five (75) overweight adults with high cholesterol were randomly assigned to four groups using exercise and different oils:

• One group took 6 grams of fish oils per day (providing 1.9 grams of omega 3 fatty acids)

• One group combined the fish oils with walking

• One group took 6 grams of sunflower oil per day

• One group combined sunflower oil and walking

The exercise groups walked 3 days/week for 45 minutes at 75% of their age-predicted maximal heart rate.

After 12 weeks, the two groups taking fish oils had lower triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol (the healthy cholesterol).

The group following the fish oil and walking program also experienced weight loss due to a reduction in body fat levels.

Researchers concluded the combination of exercise and fish oil improved weight loss and heart health.

The results of this study is no surprise as there is compelling evidence on the positive effects of fish oil on cholesterol.

4. Fish Oils prevent Weight Loss during Chemotherapy

Fish oil may prevent weight loss in cancer patients

Researchers discovered that 2 grams a day of fish oils may help lung cancer patients maintain muscle and weight during chemotherapy.

Patients in this research project took just over 2 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) a day during their duration of chemotherapy (10 weeks).

Scientists discovered the cancer patients with the highest blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid maintained bodyweight or gained muscle mass. Patients that didn't take the omega 3 supplement lost an average of 5 pounds of bodyweight.

Researchers concluded that fish oils may help address cancer-related weight loss without any side effects and may also have a place in helping patients with weight loss in other disease conditions.

How You Can Use Fish Oil for Weight Loss

Regular exercise is key to long term weight loss

So how you do use fish oil to lose weight?

According to one of the studies above, adding 6 grams of fish oils per day to your diet and walking 3 days a week for 45 minutes may cause weight loss by lowering body fat levels.

But according to the above studies, it may take more than just supplementing your diet with a few fish oil capsules and walking a couple of blocks to lose weight.

Most successful weight loss stories involved finding a program or exercise regimen that fits into your lifestyle so there are minimal disruptions to achieving your goals.

OmegaRX-a high potency fish oil

For best results you need to use a highly purified fish oil that provides the highest levels of omega 3 concentrates.

Some of the higher quality fish oil supplements will provide third-party laboratory testing and a Certificate of Analysis to ensure you're getting high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and the lowest possible levels of contaminants and oxidation levels. These factors will help reduce the risk for fish burps or 'repeat' associated with lesser quality oils.

In order to get the most benefit from any supplement, your body needs to efficiently absorb its ingredients. Using a triglyceride-based fish oil in its most natural form will avoid exposure to synthetic ingredients commonly found in many fish oil products and may enhance your weight loss goals.

Research References:

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