What Is Salmon Oil And Is It Good For You?

Avocado oil, coconut oil, and olive oil really seem to get their share of health praise. These "good fats" will let you sizzle or saute. Can be whipped into hair and face masks. Or may be the main ingredient in your favorite cuticle oil. The above-mentioned oils sure do sport a good amount of versatility. That is why it may be hard for other sources of healthy grease to make their way into the spotlight. Or at least to the more desired, eye-level shelf space.

Enter salmon oil. According to WebMD, fish like salmon and other seafood are packed with nutrients. But despite their healthy profile, only one third of Americans eat seafood weekly. And about half were reported to eat fish only on occasion or never. It may be the taste or lack of availability of fresh options at your grocery store that is turning you away from serving seafood for dinner, but there are health benefits to consider. Research shows that people who eat one to two servings of fish like salmon per week reduced their chance of heart disease by 36 percent.

Luckily, there is a way that you can get some of these desired nutrients sans gills. Salmon oil is made from the healthy fats of the salmon fish.

And just why is this salmon oil considered to be so healthy? As stated by Healthline, salmon oil is a dense source for primary omega-3 fats. These fats are linked to reduced inflammation, reduced risk of heart disease, and improved brain health. Omega-3 fats are also used in the body to create nitric oxide, which works to relax the blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow.

It is easy to put salmon oil in the same nutritional benefits category with all of the other fish oils. But just because they might all lead to fishy smelling burps post consumption (gross, but true), they don't offer the same nutritional benefits. Salmon oil contains a much higher amount of omega-3's than the others, such as cod liver oil or herring oil. But it lacks the important A and D vitamins found in cod liver oil, states Livestrong.

If you are seeking a specific addition to your diet, then take a moment to compare the labels of different fish oils on the shelf to make sure you are getting what you need. Despite the lack of vitamins A and D in salmon oil, it (and all the other fish oils) deserves a good dose of healthy praise.