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HEALTHY REASONING: Fish And Coconut Oils Are Good For You

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HEALTHY REASONING: Fish And Coconut Oils Are Good For You

Allan G Jones

 

By Allan Bucka Jones
PRIDE Health Columnist

Fish Oil

According to a recent study, supplements with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid from fish, may help slow the decline in muscle mass and strength that occurs as we get older.

In the research, 44 healthy men and women, aged 60 to 85, were randomly assigned to take four 1-gram fish oil capsules or the same number of placebo capsules, which contained corn oil, daily for six months. Before and after treatment, the participants were evaluated for muscle mass and strength.

At the end of the study, the fish oil group had significantly greater increases in thigh muscle size than the placebo group, as well as greater handgrip and lower and upper body strength. The fish oil group also showed more leg muscle power, as measured by knee bends and extensions.

In the meantime, one of the best ways to preserve muscle mass and strength, which is critical for preventing frailty, disability and loss of independence, is to perform muscle strengthening, or resistance exercises daily. Also eat fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines. It is good for your heart, and may help other muscles too.

Coconut Oil

Let’s talk about coconut oil, an oil that was shunned by the health and wellness community due to its high saturated fat content, but in recent years coconut oil has experienced a huge increase in sales, and taken the media by storm. Coconut oil can be found in specialty health food stores and at local grocery stores as well.

Coconut oil is becoming more of a staple cooking oil in many households. Manufacturers are using coconut oil in favor of other oils in packaged products, and there are claims that coconut oil can do everything from supporting weight loss to slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Coconut oil is made up of 100% fat. However, the structure of fat in coconut oil differs from the traditional saturated fat often found in animal products (primarily comprised of long-chain fatty acids). Coconut oil has an unusually high amount of medium-chain fatty acids or triglycerides, which are harder for our bodies to convert into stored fat and easier for them to burn off than long-chain fatty acids or triglycerides. Virgin coconut oil has potential antioxidant properties due to certain plant nutrients it contains called phenolic compounds.

In addition to slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, coconut oil has been linked to other health benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In a randomized clinical trial, 40 participants were given either 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or 2 tablespoons of soybean oil once a day for 12 weeks. The soybean oil group saw their HDL (good cholesterol level) go down and their LDL (bad cholesterol level) go up, indicating an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The coconut oil group did not experience a significant change in their cholesterol numbers but were more likely to have a higher HDL (good cholesterol) level.

Fish oil and coconut oil clearly have health benefits. It is not a bad idea to take four 1-gram fish oil capsules and one tablespoon of cold pressed coconut oil each day. However, talk to your family doctor or naturopath first, to determine if this approach is best for you

Allan Bucka Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. You can contact Allan Bucka Jones at allan@jonesandjones.ca.

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