Fish oil may be particularly beneficial to men's health, because of the omega-3 fatty acids they contain. Low intake of fish and low circulating levels of DHA, an omega3 fat, are associated with prostate cancer, BPH or enlarged prostate, prostatitis and with fertility issues, such as low sperm count and motility.
DHA Importance
Men Health
DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory activity and counter the effects of other types of dietary fat, such as omega 6 and saturated fats. If you haven't heard already, you should not be eating anything that contains trans-fat. Food manufacturers are now required to list the trans-fat content, because it contributes to a variety of health problems and is not necessary to the human body.
Prostatis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. It usually begins gradually and lingers on for several weeks. Bacterial or other type of infection may or may not be present. Symptoms include pain and, if bacterial infection is present, fever. Protecting the prostate is an important part of men's health. Fish oil, because of its anti-inflammatory activity, reduces the risk of prostatitis.
At birth, the prostate gland is tiny. It grows rapidly during puberty and a second growth spurt typically occurs after the age of 40. Nine out of ten men suffer from enlarged prostate or BPH by the time they reach the age of 85. A fish oil supplement may reduce the risk of BPH, which is benign. Studies have shown that blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are lower in people with BPH and even lower in those with prostate cancer.
Sperm Count Increase
An important aspect of young men's health, when they want to have children, is low sperm count or low sperm motility. Although the reasons for this are unclear, it has been shown that a fish oil supplement increases both the count and the motility of the sperm. Many scientists hope that supplementation will reduce the need for in-vitro fertilization, because infants born through IVF have greater health risks.
Heart Health Improved
One benefit of omega-3 fatty acids that is important to everyone is the reduced risk of heart disease. It is relevant to men's health, because a man is more likely to suffer from a fatal heart attack than is a woman. A fish oil supplement is beneficial to the heart in several ways.
Clotting Risk Reduced
First, it reduces the risk of clotting. Clots can interrupt the blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack. Blood clots are also responsible for stroke.
Second, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. High cholesterol, in particular, high levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of the heart disease that is typically seen in older people.
Commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis occurs when LDL cholesterol builds up on the interior portion of the arterial walls.
Men over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of heart attack. So, omega3s are particularly beneficial for men's health, from the age of 40 on.
Men's Health - Can Fish Oil Omega3 Benefit Men's Health?
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