Friday, December 5, 2008

More Good News about Fish Oils

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People looking to shed body fat might want to follow their workouts with a few capsules of fish oil, if preliminary research is correct.

In a study of overweight adults, Australian researchers found that a combination of exercise and fish oil supplements was effective at reducing body fat and improving cholesterol levels and blood vessel function.

Study participants who took fish oil, alone or with exercise, saw their levels of "good" HDL cholesterol go up, while their triglycerides (an unhealthy form of blood fat) took a dip. Meanwhile, both exercise and fish oil seemed to cut body fat.

Numerous studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish may benefit the heart by lowering blood pressure and triglycerides, reducing the risk of blood clots and improving blood vessel function. There's also evidence from lab studies that fish oil affects metabolism in a way that can reduce body fat.

However, it's important to note that this is the first clinical trial to look at the cardiovascular and weight benefits of combining fish oil with exercise.

Boot campers! Congrats on finishing Week 1! Remember to watch what you eat this weekend, especially if you're going to parties or out on the town. And, continue the combination of healthy proteins and carbs.

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