Omega-3 Fatty acids must be obtained through diet and supplementation. They are not naturally made by our bodies and it’s impossible to consume enough through our diet alone. Even if you are making the effort to eat wild salmon, avocados, and nuts, you are not consuming enough. Omega 3’s offer health benefits for everyone, including performance-enhancing effects.
Fish Oil Benefits for Athletes
- Improves recovery by reducing inflammation. Inflammation is created from free radicals in the muscle mitochondria, trauma and micro-tears to the muscles from training.
- Increases muscle protein synthesis which helps with muscle growth and improves strength and physical performance.
- Improves cognitive function which plays a role in reaction times and visualizing. One Journal of Sports Medicine & Science study showed that soccer players dramatically improved their reaction time with just four weeks of fish oil.
- Increases oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, which improves heart function. On game days or training days, this is important as you will be requiring less oxygen then your opponent.
- Reduces muscle soreness by decreasing inflammation, strengthens bones by increasing your body’s level of calcium absorption and improve lung function during exercise.
- Helps to combat the intense training effects on the immune system. Intense exercise increases oxidative stress (free radical production) on the body. Omega 3s may help to increase antioxidant activity, reducing the level of free-radical damage on the body.
Fish oils are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is important to choose a high-quality oil. Make sure the oil you choose is tested for heavy metals, processed under nitrogen or low pressure, and is batch tested for oxidation which takes away from the health benefits.
