Boomers and the benefits of fish oil

Fish oil has many benefits for everyone, but especially for boomers. One of the many studies conducted indicates that it minimizes the effects of age-related muscle loss. Muscle loss can be combated with exercise, but as we age, exercise alone will not maintain our muscles. In the study, women were evaluated by doing 12 weeks of resistance exercise training and taking the supplement. Those who took fish oil strengthened their muscles by twenty percent compared to eleven percent improvement from exercise alone. Some of the reasons for this is that it also contains an anti-inflammatory quality. The omega3 found in fish oil helps the muscles function at a higher level.

Another study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that those who received this supplement had lowered their blood pressure and improved their cardiovascular system by reducing their triglycerides and regulating their heart rates. Omega3 can lower the high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart problems, and strokes that many boomers experience as they age.

As boomers age, type 2 diabetes is also a threat, becoming almost an epidemic. A definitive link has been found between omega3s and diabetes prevention. Taking a daily fish oil supplement will help, along with exercise, proper diet and weight loss.

This supplement is also suspected of being effective for inflammation, helping to relieve depression and improve memory and concentration. It is also believed to help reduce the risk of cancer, especially those that are hormonal like breast cancer, and it is believed to be an immune booster.

For those who have concerns about fish oil containing high levels of mercury or other contaminants, studies have shown that it is safe to use. These contaminants have been found to be found in the meat of the fish and not in the oil.

For those boomers who haven’t exercised, eaten healthy diets, or taken care of their health over the years and instead have slipped into sedentary lifestyles, it would be a disappointment for them to look back at the vibrant youth that they once were, who planned to conquer the world with great ideas and never thought they would be one of the ‘old’.

We don’t have to be! It depends on us and how we take care of ourselves. We can change our life at any time with simple lifestyle changes, improving our diet, exercising, losing weight and including fish oil in our daily diet as many nutritionists suggest. By doing this, we take charge of our own lives again, as we once did when we were younger. We don’t have to wait and let life pass us by. We can be proactive in our health care choices and put off many of the diseases that accompany aging.

I am one of the many boomers who include fish oil in their daily diets. Taking a capsule daily, like me, is one way, but I also include other diet foods such as sardines, or foods that have omega 3, such as free-range eggs.

As Boomers, I strongly believe in the importance of doing everything you can to avoid, for as long as possible, any serious health problems, and adding a daily fish oil supplement is one of the ways to achieve this.