Benefits of Omega 3 for your health
Omega 3 fatty acids are vital for your health as they are an integral part of cell membranes and affect their cell receptors. They cannot be produced by the human body and this means that there should be consumed foods that contain such acids. Omega 3 can be found in: fish (salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines), other seafood such as algae vegetable oils, nuts (mainly walnuts), flax seeds, flaxseed oil and leafy vegetables.
What exactly are Omega 3 fatty acids?
Omega 3 fatty acids are also known as polyunsaturated acids (PUFAs) and they are a key family of polyunsaturated fats. There are the three following important omega 3s:
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are often called marine omega 3s as they come from fish.
The third important omega 3 fatty acid is the Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is found in vegetable oils and nuts (mostly walnuts), flax seeds and flaxseed oil, leafy vegetable and in the animal fat coming from animals that were fed with grass.
From these 3 types of Omega 3 fatty acids the ALA is the one that is used by the human body for energy whereas EPA and DHA are being conversed in a very limited way.
Benefits of Omega 3
The Omega 3 fatty acids play a crucial part in the brain functioning and in the health of the cardiovascular system, as well as in the normal function of growth and development.
That is why, in all the life stages, you will need a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids as to ensure an optimum functioning of your body.
These fatty acids are highly beneficial, being basically indispensable to the normal functioning of your body as they protect the cardiovascular system, the skin and strengthen your immune system.
Omega 3 has even an anti-inflammatory effect and prevents cancer. Though, the biggest problem is that Omega 3 cannot be produced by the organism so it needs to be taken from supplements.
But, Omega 3 fatty acids have even more benefits for the human body, which will be tackled furthermore in this article.
Omega 3 fatty acids protect the health, get rid of the pains, help at the normal functioning of the organism.
In this case, Omega 3 has the following benefits:
Prevents and treats the cardiovascular disease.
Prevents and treats the autoimmune disease.
Fights inflammatory disease.
Prevents and treats the neurological disease.
Strengthens the immune system.
Helps in preventing cancer.
It is beneficial in ulcerative colitis, Cohn disease.
Improves the kidneys functioning.
Protects the cardiovascular system, controls weight.
Protects the body against cardiovascular disease.
Prevents the blood clots.
Balances cardiac functions.
Protects the heart and the blood vessels.
It is beneficial for cardiac palpitations, tachycardia.
Prevents myocardial infarction, angina.
Adjusts weight and fights obesity.
Adjusts the whole body.
Lowers bad cholesterol and reduces the lipids level in the blood.
Nervous system- protects the brain-fights stress
Helps at the harmonious development of children’s brains.
Fortifies the nervous system.
Increases memory and the capacity of concentration.
Increases stress resistance.
It is beneficial for the physical and mental exhaustion.
Promotes a good general state of health.
Protects and hydrates skin.
Fights dry skin.
Fights shingles, cold sore.
So, Omega-3 fatty acids are a good protector of your body and act for the normal functioning of your organism, preventing in this way numerous health problems.
Forms in which Omega 3 comes
Is available for people to take in the form of fish oil capsules if they are EPA and DHA fatty acids. Also, flax seeds, flax seed oil, fish and krill oils should be kept refrigerated for a better effect for those that take them.
An example of an Omega 3 fatty acids supplement is Omega 3-6-9 oils produced by Hebe Bio. This is a new developed supplement based on a blend of fish oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E. The product comes as easy-to-swallow capsules that will help supporting the brain function, the immune system, the heart health, joints and flexibility, weight management, hair skin and nails, cholesterol levels. It contains 72mg of EPA, 48 mg of DHA and 150 mg of ALA.
How to take Omega 3
As every dietary supplement or medicine, Omega-3 fatty acids also have instructions when it comes to the way people should take them. But, first of all, there should be noted that the common amount of omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil capsules is 0.18 grams (180mg) of EPA and 0.12 grams (120mg) of DHA.
Children (18 years and younger)
In order to give children fish oil capsules, there should be firstly consulted a health care provider since there is no established dose for children. Though, some infant formulas contain omega 3 fatty acids.
The recommendation is to not exceed 3 grams per day of omega 3 fatty acids from capsules as there is the risk of bleeding.
At the same time, for adults that have no medical history of heart disease, there is recommended to consume fish 2 times per week.
Whereas, omega 3 fatty acids should be taken with care by those people that experience a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix) or aspirin. Anyway, the best way to take these supplements is under the supervision of a health care provider as to avoid any problems that may come once someone decides to take them.