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The Essentials on Fish Oil
By Dr. Anna Colombini

Many of you have heard conflicting information on fish oil. Here is some information on oils and a few recommendations for you so you can be an informed consumer. What are essential oils? Essential oils, such as Omega 3 and Omega 6, are oils that we must consume through food in order for us to have them in our body. We can not assimilate them in our body from other foods. Therefore, if we do not eat them we become deficient. We will stick to discussing Omega 3 as this is the essential oil found in fish oil.  

Where do I find Omega 3? We can find Omega 3 in cold water fish such as Atlantic halibut, salmon, mackerel, tuna, Atlantic and Pacific herring, bluefish and sardines. Other sources include venison, buffalo, seaweed, canola oil, flaxseed, flax oil, walnuts and leafy greens.  

Why are essential oils important to your health?   Essential oils are important to your health because they are a part of every cell membrane in our entire body. If the membrane becomes rigid due to a deficiency in essential oils it becomes difficult for the cell to function properly. Essential oils, particularly Omega 3's, have been affiliated with the following health benefits:

• Improve Heart Health: decrease cholesterol, hypertension, coronary artery disease
• Improve Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud's disease and other Autoimmune diseases
• Aid Cancer prevention and CA support
• Improve Depression and Symptoms of other Mental Disorders
• Improve Hydration of Skin and some dermatological conditions
  

What Can You Do With This Information?

We tend to consume more Omega 6 fatty acids found in plants, nuts, and seeds than Omega 3 fatty acids. We can choose a healthier balance by eating more Omega 3's as found in the food sources discussed previously and through supplementation. The concern with eating cold water fish is contamination, particularly of heavy metals. Some physicians recommend safe consumption levels as 1 serving per week of cold water fish where others recommend up to 2-3 servings per week. Unfortunately, our bodies need more than 1-3 servings per week. This is where supplementation comes into play. A quality source of fish oil filters contaminates out, thus giving us Omega 3 without the toxins. Decreasing heavy metal levels in food is particularly important during family planning and in infants and children. The reason for this is that as uncontaminated sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are detrimental to development of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Contact your naturopathic physician for body-specific dosages and quality sources of fish oils.

Healthy Balance: Reducing Your Stress
By Dr. Anna Colombini

Did you know that by reducing your stress you can improve your immune system, your energy and can lead to the feeling of balance.  

Where Do I start? Making more time for relaxation is key. I know that there are only twenty four hours in the day and our schedules are busy so here are a few examples to create time and reduce stress. Choose wisely what you do with your time. For example, how much time do you spend watching television? Do a quick calculation in your head and see what you come up with. Then spend less time on the couch with the following stress reducing suggestions.

How Can I Relax?

• Take a walk (known to reduce stress, depression, and prevent disease).   
• Take a bath with Epsom salts for muscle relaxation and detoxification and take slow deep breaths while in the tub.  
• Slow, deep breaths can help to stimulate relaxation and also is one of our bodies main ways of detoxification.  
• Making time for massage by exchanging with family members or scheduling a massage is an excellent way to relax and to remind you of your bodies need for human contact.  
• Sleep is also essential in stress reduction. For children and teenagers 9 hours of sleep per night and 8 hours for adults is recommended.