Omega-3s Help You Breathe Better During Intense Exercise

(Powerful Lungs = Powerful Fat Burning)

If you engage in intense and sustained exercise – things like wrestling, or bootcamp, or martial arts – you know that sometimes it’s hard to “catch your breath”. Your lungs are working as hard as they can, but you wonder if they’re really going to give you the oxygen you need or collapse and land you in the E.R..

In fact, certain intense exercise programs can produce something known as Exercise-Induced Bronchocontriction (EIB) – which is almost like having an asthma attack.

And, if you’ve ever had one (or come close to it because you’re working so hard), you know it’s not pleasant – fighting to breath is no fun for anyone, especially when exercising.

However, recently scientists from two different independent institutions have shown that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (found in fish and krill) can actually improve lung function and prevent EIB in those exercising really hard.

European researchers recently looked at lung function in young male wrestlers who were exercising very intensely. The subjects were divided into an omega-3 supplement group and a placebo group. Those taking omega-3s took 1 gram EPA plus DHA every day for 12 weeks, which enriched their cell membranes with more EPA and DHA than they had to begin with. The lung function assessments taken looked at lung dynamic capacities and volumes.

After 12 weeks of taking the supplements, the participants in the omega-3 group had significantly improved lung function which allowed them to breath in and out more effectively and distribute more oxygen to their working muscles.

In another study, researchers from Indiana showed that 3 weeks of EPA and DHA supplementation reduces exercise-induced airway narrowing, airway inflammation, and bronchodilator use in elite athletes and asthmatic individuals with EIB.

Overall, improving your body’s omega-3 index, which is a measure of the amount of omega-3 EPA and DHA in your cell membranes, has many over-reaching beneficial effects on your exercise health, including improved lung capacity and function.

With enhanced lung function comes more ability to push yourself harder during exercise, which helps you burn more fat and build more lean muscle. It also helps you enjoy intense exercise and keep going at it, rather than feeling like your lungs are going to implode and quitting sooner than you have to.

The Shocking Truth About The FISH OIL You Are Taking Now. Warning: Do NOT Take Any Fish Oil Until You Read This News

References:
The effects of omega-3 supplementation on pulmonary function of young wrestlers during intensive training. Tartibian B et al. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 13 (2010) 281–286
Effect of fish oil-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty Acid supplementation on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and immune function in athletes. Mickleborough TD et al. Phys Sportsmed. 2008 Dec;36(1):11-7.