Fish Products and Byproducts Technology

Unit 9 - Fish meal and fish oil

9.9. Unsaturated Fatty acids
Importance of Unsaturated Fatty acids

• Fish oil is rich in poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Unsaturated fatty acids are more to oxidation and cause rancidity which affect the quality as well as nutritive value of fish oil.
• Refined fish oils are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids of the linolenic acid family. Current medical research suggests that these fatty acids might have a unique role to play in prevention of coronary artery disease and the growth of different types of cancers.
• The highly unsaturated properties make the oils (and particularly their highly unsaturated fractions) suitable for a number of technical applications, particularly as drying oils and varnishes. The saturated fatty acid fraction is a disadvantage for these purposes and must be reduced. Several specialized processes for this reduction are available.
• Fish oils are a significant source for the production of fatty acids with a wide spectrum of chain lengths. From these acids are produced several types of metallic soaps, some of which are used in lubricating greases while others are used as waterproofing agents. Small quantities of fatty; acids are used pharmaceutically and medicinally, and for scientific research purposes.
  

Health beneficial effects

• Fish oil helps with cholesterol by lowering levels of LDL while also increasing levels of HDL
• Heart problems, cholesterol, arthritis, and diabetes are some of the major conditions in which fish oil provides some form of benefit or improved health.
• Fish oil supplements seem to have an anti-arrhythmic effect on the heart as well as prevent cardiac arrest. In doing this, fish oil can help lower the mortality rate of those individuals having heart complications
• Fish oil can benefit the heart because the EPA and DHA that make up the supplement helps to prevent plaque deposits and blood clots inside arteries.
• Fish oil improves the ability of muscle cells to take up glucose in the presence of insulin. This proves to be beneficial to those with type II diabetes
• Fish oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, especially the Eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA). They can improve overall function in joints as well as limit the amount of other anti-inflammatory drugs that a patient must consume with conditions such as arthritis or other inflammatory disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
• Fish oil has been shown to have effects in dealing with certain psychological disorders.It has been found that omega- 3 fatty acids are known to have membrane enhancing capabilities in brain cells.They cause more production of two neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine.This allows patients to focus better on tasks that are at hand without as many distractions. The effects of Serotonin have been shown to help individuals better deal with stress and other activities.
• Fish oil has also been shown to have a number of beneficial effect on the brain. It has been shown that 60% of the brain is made up of a structural fat, which has a high number of DHA in it, and the brain requires a regular intake of good fats such as the ones from omega-3 fatty acids. Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, depression, aggression, Alzheimer’s Disease, or other dementia.