Omega 3 Fish Oil for
Skin Health

Omega 3 fish oil for wrinkles? Yes! Omega 3 fish oil, sometimes known as omega 3 fatty acids, has an amazing ability to help keep skin healthy and youthful and slow the aging process.....suggests new research.

Impressive studies suggests that cells getting omega-3 fatty acids were much more resistant to damage and wrinkles.(Hyeon Ho Kim, J Lipid Res 2005, 46:1712-1720.)

And omega-3 fatty acids help to normalize the skin lipids and cells keeping the skin moist.

It is also essential in reducing inflammation and irritation which makes it a great treatment if you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, Acne, or Dry Itchy Skin.

Fish Oils for Acne

What many people don’t realize is the connection between acne and the main ingredient in fish oil (EPA & DHA) and their role in creating the "good" prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are special hormones that help regulate functions within skin cells.

They also keep a bad skin hormone called (androgen) in check so that you don’t produce excess sebum (oil) in the hair follicle where acne starts.

They are also responsible for inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions in the body.

For healthy skin you want to produce the "good" prostaglandins in your cells. This can be accomplished by ingesting proper dosages of omega 3 essential fatty acids.

The main source of omega 3 acids is found in fish oil - like salmon or halibut.

But consuming fish once or twice a week may not be enough and many people are worried about toxins found in fish like mercury.

That’s why if you suffer from acne or other skin disorders it’s essential to take purified fish oil supplements.

I use Life Extension's purified Omega-3 EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans & Olive Fruit Extract.

I like this brand because I’m very concerned about the amount of toxins in the fish. And many discount fish oil supplements have not been tested for purified.

Life Extension’s brand uses a patented extraction and purification process to remove all contaminants, protect against rancidity – very important!

And they have a "freshness/expiration date" so you know your product is fresh and not rancid.

I try to save money whenever possible, but don't be tempted to save a few dollars on old or non-purified fish oil supplements. You’ll do your body and skin more harm than good.

Omega 3 vs Omega 6

As Americans, we consume too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3's.

A good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is between 1:1 and 4:1.

However, a typical American diet has a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is between 11:1 to 30:1.

It's no wonder that so many people have problems with dry itchy, flaky, irritated skin. Perhaps we, as a nation, are deficient in omega 3 fatty acids.

We now know that too much omega-6 also causes inflammation in the entire body, as well as the skin. And we also know that nothing ages the skin faster, than inflammation.

Omega 6 can be found in common processed foods such as cereals, baked goods, fried foods, and margarine.

That’s why a Mediterranean or a Clear Skin Diet, low in simple processed carbohydrates, but rich in olive oil, fish, vegetables and fruits and legumes is beneficial not only for the cardiovascular system, weight maintenance, but also younger looking skin.

Types of Omega 3 Fish Oil

Omega-3 fatty acids are comprised eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and are found in oily cold-water fish like salmon and tuna. But there is another form of omega-3 fatty acid, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Other Sources

These Omega 3 Sources are found in dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseed oil, and some vegetable oils. ALA has slightly different effects on the body and needs to be converted, by the body’s enzymes, to EPA -- but it is still an important source of omega 3.

How Much Fish Oil Should You Take

Most fish oil supplements recommend around 1000 mg of total EPA/DHA for best results.

You can also try increasing your consumption of fatty cold-water fish like: