Heart and immune system benefits from essential fatty acids commonly known as EFA. These are also important in sustaining cognitive functions and memory. Cell reproduction and repair is also aided by EFA. These EFA are also important in achieving hormone balance.

Omega-3 are the essential fatty acids which are present in in fish oil. Therefore fish oils play important role in establishing a connection between daily diet and good health. Many cold water fish like anchovies, tuna,cod ,mackerel, herring, salmon, sardines etc. contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat which are very useful for a good health. Omega-3 are essential fatty acids in the sense that they must be obtained through diet and are very essential for proper functioning of muscles, cells, nerves and other organs of human body. These are also essential for normal and proper growth.

Two forms of Omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) . DHA and EPA are known as good fats.

DHA aids in transmission of nerves impulses. DHA is a major component of retinal tissue and the human brain.

Blood clotting and arterial functions are controlled by prostaglandins which are substances similar to hormones. These are found in every cell in the body. Prostaglandins are critical to the regulation of blood pressure, contraction and relaxation of muscles, blood vessel constriction and dialation. EPA plays important role in production of prostaglandins. EPA also helps in lowering levels of serum triglycerides.

Fish oil is also sold as dietary supplement and comes in the form of capsules and liquid. In most of these supplements fish oils are extracted from the fatty flesh of fish and in some, as in the cod liver oil the fish oil is extracted from the liver.But instead of taking these fish oil supplements, it is always better to make fish part of your diet. Fish from the cold water streams and from the wild should be eaten as they are free from the toxic substances like mercury.

To get optimum benefit from consuming omega-3 essential fatty acids, fish should be eaten at least two times in a week.