If you have ever sought out or utilized supplements to support heart health, or reduce inflammation, you’ve likely encountered fish oil. Akin to fish oil, is salmon oil. This type of fish oil is uniquely sourced and can provide meaningful benefits. Here is a look at the basics of salmon oil, and the best benefits you might get from taking it.
Some Details on Salmon Oil
Fish is known to be a remarkably beneficial animal food. That is because it is rich in healthy vitamins and other substances. One of the more beloved fish to eat is salmon, both for its taste and its health benefits.
Salmon oil is a concentrated supplement that is typically produced from the processing of ground red salmon heads (wherein is contained the largest concentration of fish oil), often mixed with water, through processes such as heating and centrifugation (a mechanical process of particle separation).
Salmon oil is an excellent supplement because it is naturally chock full of healthy fatty acids known as omega-3 fatty acids. The two most important omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids can provide multiple significant, long-term benefits to human health if consumed regularly, mostly due to their regulating effects on inflammation. They are so effective at reducing inflammation because they have multiple physiological effects that contribute to this benefit.
Benefits of a Salmon Oil Supplement
The fatty acids and nutrients contained in salmon oil have been shown to benefit both physical and mental health. Here is a look at five distinct benefits you could gain from strategically supplementing with salmon oil.
Reducing risk of chronic disease is perhaps the most powerful benefit of salmon oil. This fish oil can be taken to reduce inflammation that is excessive, thereby reducing the risk of chronic disease. The disease risks which could be reduced include diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Regulating blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels is an important, specific benefit of salmon oil. These specific regulating effects are a major contributor to salmon oil’s ability to reduce risk of heart disease. By regulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels, salmon oil controls the concentration and composition of fats that circulate in the bloodstream. The benefit of this to overall cardiovascular health cannot be overstated, since excessive fats in the blood is an influential risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Improved circulation: Evidence suggests that the combined effects of salmon oil can improve blood circulation. Improving blood circulation is certainly beneficial to the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Blood vessels can stay relaxed, and the body’s tissues benefit from improved oxygen efficiency.
Healthy skin: A study review on salmon oil published in 2018 found that this supplement can promote healthy skin, and do so in multiple ways. These ways include improving the functioning of the skin barrier, reducing hyperpigmentation, and reducing skin dryness and itching.
Improved brain health & cognitive function can be supported by the intake of the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon oil. This is mainly due to their mitigating effect on inflammation, and the benefits are most substantive in aging individuals. Salmon oil is especially helpful to cognition of aging people because an aging brain is at increased likelihood of excessive inflammation. It is also likely to have lower levels of these fatty acids. Studies show that taking salmon oil over a sustained period of time can contribute to reduced effects of aging and improved cognition.
Salmon oil, similar to fish oil, is a widely beneficial supplement because of its effect on bodily inflammation, and its contributions to reduced risk of disease and improved cognitive longevity. If you feel you could benefit from taking salmon oil, it is recommended that you speak to your healthcare provider before taking it (or any supplement, for that matter).