Doctors and nutrition experts often say “if you only take one supplement, it should be Omega-3.” So why is Omega-3 so widely valued?
Omega-3 supplements are of greatly valued because of two ingredients: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). DHA and EPA offer powerful anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory benefits. Oxidation and inflammation are two of the worst things for your body. They are the precursors of pain and disease, including cancer. This is why the experts tout Omega-3s, and rightfully so. The majority of people do not get adequate amounts of these fatty acids in their diet. And if you aren’t getting enough from your diet, supplementation makes sense.
There are other benefits to Omega-3 supplementation, including improved insulin uptake and muscle protein synthesis, which could equate to less body fat and more muscle. For many years Omega-3 consumption has also been linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, two of the biggest causes of death in the western world. Further research needs to be done to determine the exact linkage and what quantities are truly necessary to elicit them, but Omega-3 supplementation does seem to benefit lower triglyceride levels and improved blood circulation, which could help fight atherosclerotic plaque build (aka clogged arteries).
In closing, keep in mind that not all Omega-3 supplements are created equal. Supplement sources of Omega-3 include fish oil, krill oil, and flax oil. We recommend fish oil and krill oil over flax oil, because of the higher DHA and EPA contents. Flax oil is also less stable and easily oxidized by light and temperature. If you opt for fish oil, choose one that has been lab-tested to ensure heavy metals like mercury have been removed.