The research keeps coming in! Seal oil is good for you—all of you, including your bones, joints, heart and brain. And that is true no matter what age you are. In fact, some of the most important benefits of seal oil can be experienced by the very youngest among us.
Seal oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, crucial contributors to your overall health. Here we take a closer look at four key reasons you should consider adding seal oil supplements to your daily diet.
1. For your cardiovascular health
Seal oil contains three omega-3 essential polyunsaturated fatty acids: Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). All three are important in the fight against heart disease, but DPA is the star of the show: its ability to reduce build-up in arteries and decrease the risk of blood clots is many times that of EPA or DHA.
DPA is also valuable for its ability to boost EPA and DHA integration into the body. Seal oil is one of the few natural sources of DPA, other than breast milk. Fish oil, for example, while also a good source of omega-3s contains virtually no DPA.
Regular supplementation with omega-3s has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.
2. Joint health
Long-term inflammation is a contributor to many chronic conditions, including psoriasis, arthritis, and joint pain; seal oil supplements can help soothe symptoms and improve overall joint health. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the body’s production of molecules linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines.
Once again, the composition of seal oil supplements make them the ideal source of omega-3s for joint health: DPA has been found to be 10x more effective than EPA in repairing damaged blood vessels and reducing inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Mental and cognitive health
Seal oil is a boost for brain health! The balanced omega-3s contained in seal oil can improve central nervous system function, fortifying you against aging-related loss of cognitive skills and memory.
Important research has linked low levels of omega-3s with anxiety and depression. Taking omega-3 supplements, including seal oil, has been shown to help alleviate some of those symptoms, including mood swings, lethargy, and sadness.
As well, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that omega-3 supplements can help in the fight against Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). One study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology concluded that omega-3 supplementation improves clinical symptoms and cognitive performances in children and adolescents with ADHD. Other studies, published in Nature and elsewhere, have substantiated these findings.
Seal oil is not a mental-health cure-all—but natural seal oil supplements, taken according to guidance, can have a proven positive impact on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and attention issues, among other concerns.
4. Fetal & child development
Seal oil supplements are beneficial to the whole family, young and old. But perhaps they are of greatest value during pregnancy.
Just think: DHA accounts for 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in your brain and 60% in the retina of your eye. It’s not surprising, then, that omega-3s are essential to the development of the brain, eyes and nerves during pregnancy and the first years of child’s life. Consuming seal oil rich in omega-3s also increases the level of DHA in breast milk, which is passed along to the child when they need it most.
Supplementing with seal oil will help both mother and child stay strong and healthy, from early development and through their whole lives.
Seal oil: what to look for
Choose 100% Canadian seal oil that is pure and free of toxins and contaminants. And, of course, always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you have already been prescribed medications for any condition.
Sources:
- Dienke J Bos et al. Neuropsychopharmacology Journal. Reduced Symptoms of Inattention after Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Boys with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. March 2015.
- Jane Pei-Chen Chang et al. Neuropsychopharmacology Journal. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Youths with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Feb. 2018.
- Kuan-Pin Su et al. Jama Network. Association of Use of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Changes in Severity of Anxiety Symptoms. Sept. 2018.
- Neil J . Mann, et al. Effects of seal oil and tuna-fish oil on platelet parameters and plasma lipid levels in healthy subjects, epub, 2010.
- Skulas-Ray et al. RedBlood Cell Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA n-3) is Inversely Associated with Triglycerides and C-reactive Protein (CRP) in Healthy Adults and Dose-DependentlyIncreasesFollowingn-3 FattyAcid Supplementation. Nutrients 2015; 7:6390-404.
- ToshieKanayasu-Toyoda, et al. Docosapentaenoicacid(22:5, n-3), an elongationmetaboliteof eicosapentaenoicacid(20:5, n-3), is a potent stimulator of endothelial cell migration on pretreatment in vitro, 1996.
