Tag: Fish Oil

Asthma And Fish Oil

There was a study conducted in Indiana University which revealed that fish oil is a very effective remedy for asthma symptoms, especially that caused by over activity or too much exercise.

Emergency medication is often needed by people who have severe asthma symptoms. The study involved 16 asthma patients suffering mild symptoms to severe ones. These individuals need daily asthma medications in order to control the attacks. The asthma patients were given high doses of fish oil which contain EPA or Eicosapentaenoic acid (3.2 gm) and DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid (2gm) for about three weeks.

Before fish oil administration, the lungs of the asthma patients were first examined through efficiency tests. Sputum samples were also taken and analyzed. The tests took note of the inflammatory cells and some markers. The same tests were conducted after the end of the study. After the 3-week period of fish oil administration, the patients showed 64% improvement in terms of lung efficiency and the need for asthma medications also reduced by about 31%. Fish oil contains fatty acids (Omega 3) which has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Asthma patients often have second thoughts about exercising because they fear that it can cause asthma symptoms. This is true especially in some asthmatics. However, the body needs adequate exercise and this is the reason why some asthma patients still engage in some forms of exercise. In some case, the air passage swells or become inflamed when the asthma patient engages in strenuous exercises. When this happens, the doctor will tell you that the asthma attack was exercise-induced. How can you tell if youre exhibiting asthma symptoms? Its quite simple; once you experience wheezing, breath shortness, chest tightness, and coughing, youre already having an asthma attack. Dont worry because the asthma symptoms will just ease off after 1 hours.

If you exercise during dry and cool conditions, youre more likely to experience asthma symptoms because there is cooling and drying out of the air passages. This will result to the release of inflammatory chemicals which narrows the airways. Some doctors encourage swimming as a form of exercise because the air is usually warmer and moist and so asthma attacks seldom happens.

When the asthma attack is exercise-induced, the individual will not be able to get enough exercise. In the case of youngsters who like sports and other physical activities, their health condition will serve as a barrier and so they cant enjoy their life to the fullest.

Omega 3 is different from Omega 6. Large percentage of Omega 3 is found in fish oil and this is very beneficial to asthma patients because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The latter is pro-inflammatory which means that it can trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals, thereby resulting to asthma attacks. Medical experts advise asthma patients to increase their consumption of Omega 3 or fish oil instead of consuming more vegetable oils, processed foods, dairy products, and meats which contain Omega 6. So where can you get fish oil? You can get it from oily fishes or in fish oil that came from plant sources.

You have to include fish oil in your everyday supplements because of its therapeutic benefits. You can use it to prevent future asthma attacks which are exercise-induced. Beware of fish oils with lesser grade because it has harmful toxins. Try to purchase only the pharmaceutical grade or best quality supplements of fish oil.

Supplements Are Also Useful for Eczema Treatment

Prevention is best defense against any disease or condition. But if it is already there, your doctor may recommend medication and at times even supplements which has been proven to help in eczema treatment.

Supplements are important in eczema treatment because there is research to suggest that the human body does not have sufficient amounts of fatty acids to combat this skin condition. While topical medications work from the outside and are then absorbed by the body, it will help to have something inside that also does it share to fight the skin condition.

Examples of these supplements are blackcurrant seed oil, evening primrose oil and starflower oil. Studies have shown that taking supplements that contain these ingredients reduces the number of flare ups and in some cases, reducing the severity and length of time compared to the last attack.

Taking it regularly also reduces dryness, inflammation, itching and scaliness which are the common symptoms of eczema.

A lot of studies have shown that fish oil is very useful in other health problems but in the case of eczema, it has not shown any significant effect. The casing point is Gamma-linolenic acid or GLA which is an omega 6 fatty acid. While the results of studies are mixed, the only thing it can do is reduce the severity of symptoms.

It has been proven that certain foods may trigger eczema in a patient. To prevent this from happening again, changes have to be made in the diet. It will also help if you take supplements that contain Vitamin B.

Certain herbs are also useful for eczema treatment. Two examples of these include liquorice root and witch hazel. Liquorice root is helpful because it contains glycyrrhizinic acid that also helps reduce the symptoms of eczema. Witch hazel on the other hand contains phosphatidylcholine.

Liquorice root may be taken internally or applied topically while witch hazel can only be applied to the skin. Other herbs which may be used if either of these is unavailable include burdock root, German chamomile, golden rod, red clover, roman chamomile and stinging nettle.

Babies are at risk of eczema and one way to treat it is with probiotics. While this good bacteria is already found in our body, infants do not have sufficient amounts of this yet which is why mothers are encourage to breastfeed. Since eczema can also happen later on in life, the best supplement to have is found in a bottle of Yakult which has the Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain.

If you think that applying and swallowing the supplement is the only way to get eczema treatment, think again because sulfur is a little bit different. You have to bathe yourself in sulfur to get the desired results. This is because it contains keratin that is a protein that can strengthen your hair, nails and skin. Take note that a sulfur bath is not recommended for children.

There are many ways to get eczema treatment. If you have this condition, you should consult with your doctor so you know what severe is your condition. It is only after getting yourself diagnosed that the proper treatment can be administered so that even though there is no cure for it, you are able to reduce it severity and make sure that flare ups do not occur.