Fish oils have many health benefits, including lowering
triglycerides, blood pressure, and regulating abnormal heart
rhythms. It can also reduce the risk of death from heart attack
and strokes, and slows plaque buildup in the arteries. Now
researchers from the University of California, San Diego School
of Medicine have identified the molecular mechanism that makes
omega-3 fatty acids such a great health benefit, particularly in
reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. The
scientists say omega-3 fatty acids activate a “macrophage
receptor,” which is found in abundance in the fat of people who
are obese. Macrophages are white blood cells that engulf and
digest cellular debris and pathogens. Since obese people have a
lot of these macrophages in their fat tissue, this can cause
chronic inflammation and a rise in insulin resistance. When
resistance occurs, insulin becomes less effective at regulating
blood sugar levels in the body, which causes a number of health
issues, including type 2 diabetes. But