Home > Slimming > News > Weight loss supplementsWhen embarking on a diet, most people make the decision to cut out foods considered unhealthy, like carbohydrates and fat. However, while it's true that some fats don't serve you, other fats such as fish oil are absolutely essential for losing weight and maintaining optimal health. A 12 week study conducted by the University of South Australia found that in addition to physical exercise, people need fish oil to burn off excess body fat. In the study, two groups of participants aged between 25 and 65 years were fed exactly the same diet apart from one group being fed 6 grams of fat in the form of butter, olive oil, sunflower oil and peanut oil, while the other group were given 6 grams of omega 3 fish oil. The total daily intake of omega 3 long-chain fatty acids was 1.8grams. The outcome of these tests results showed conclusively that those supplemented with fish oil burn approximately 26% more fat than those not supplemented with fish oil. This equates to a reduced fat mass of 1.6kg. It is already widely known that omega-3 fish oil can increase brain function and protect us from cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. This 'super fat' (a polyunsaturated fat, also called alpha-linoleic acid) is converted into two key compounds within the body – DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Both DHA and EPA perform essential jobs in the proper functioning of the body. That's why omega-3 oils are called essential fats. We can't live without them! One of the key reasons omega-3s have such a powerful effect on fat metabolism is that they decrease insulin activity, which activates the enzyme lipase, responsible for breaking down stored fat and preparing it for use as energy. In fact the supplemented participants' insulin levels were 50% lower than the subjects not taking fish oil. Given insulin is also involved in converting carbohydrate into fat, this effect is highly beneficial for those concerned with excess weight. Unlike essential fats, saturated and monounsaturated fats are not needed by the body. While they do offer energy, unless you are going to burn off this fat intake, they will soon move in and take up home in your gut or thighs! (The exception being Coconut Oil which has proven thermogenic values). Beyond enhanced fat oxidation, improved memory and reduced heart disease, Omega-3s offer:
Most people are deficient in Omega 3 oils. The explosion of saturated fats compounds this problem and a lot of polyunsaturated fats have had the goodness stripped from them becoming what is known as trans fats; processed, hydrogenated and offering nothing that our body needs, beyond calories. Food sources of Omega 3 oils in descending order of concentration include: Salmon, anchovy, sardine, herring, mackerel, trout, swordfish, tuna. Because many of us are unable or unlikely to eat fish daily, one of the most convenient ways of obtaining therapeutic doses is with a supplement in capsule form such as Healtheries Omega Advanced Omega-3 100mg, a highly biologically active form of these important essential fats.
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