What Can Omega-3 Do For Me?

By Jean Kelly


In fact, recent polls show that omega-3 supplements are now the first supplement choice of most Americans, with multivitamins in second place. The benefit of taking omega-3 supplements are numerous and are supported by a large body of scientific research. Several prominent organizations like the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization have affirmed these benefits, especially for promoting heart health.

What about you? Are you wondering how omega-3 supplements can help you? Omega-3 fatty acids were made popular after two major people group studies observed the dietary patterns of the Greenland Inuit tribe and those who followed a Mediterranean diet.

Take your supplements all at once or throughout the day, as you prefer, but stick to a consistent schedule.Your body needs a supply of good fats for energy and the normal development and growth of brain and heart cells.

But bad fats can lead to increased health risks. How a particular type of fat influences your health depends on its unique blend of fatty acids. Some fatty acids increase your risk for cancer, heart attack, and stroke, while some help to protect against it. The trick is in knowing which fats are necessary for normal growth and development and which fats you should avoid or use in moderation. Saturated fats are found in animal products like meat, cheese, butter, and cream. They're also found in tropical oils like palm and coconut. Eating too much saturated fat can increase your risk for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and obesity. Eating animal fat can also raise cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature.

Your body uses omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to form the outer walls of every cell. This healthy cell structure helps maintain vital metabolic functions. And since your body cannot produce DHA or synthesize it from food, you need to add it to your diet or take DHA supplements.

DHA research...Your ability to think, learn, and remember can be influenced by the amount of DHA in your cells. Increased DHA fuels production of serotonin, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, and can help support normal brain function.

During pregnancy, DHA plays a key role in the normal development of the baby's brain and eyes. Breast milk also contains DHA, which is believed to be a factor associated with infant brain development. Scientific studies have also found that low levels of DHA have been associated with reduced brain function and are linked to a number of mood problems.

Since these fish also contain impurities and contaminants like lead, mercury and other PCBs, consumption should be limited to just twice a week. Pregnant and lactating mothers are advised not to eat certain fresh fish because of impurities present in them. An excellent option to fresh fish consumption is high-quality pharmaceutical grade omega-3 supplements.

Research shows omega-3 supplements may benefit health in numerous ways:Supports heart health. Omega 3 fatty acids help to promote healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They support cardiovascular and arterial health.

I understand that you can't stand the smell of fish. I understand some can't stand the taste of fish. But you do have choices. Can You really do without? Don't you want to live longer?

Supports the regulation of normal blood sugar. A few studies show that omega 3 supplements may be used as a proactive nutritional measure to support normal Glycemic levels.

Although there are no Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) for omega 3s in the United States, Japan, England, and several European countries have set RDAs. The best scientific evidence says daily intake should be at least 600 milligrams.

But most North Americans don't eat much fish. The more popular fish tend to be those lower in omega 3s, like white fish. In addition, deep-frying can reduce omega-3 potency. So the average American diet contains fewer than 200 milligrams per day of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Production-oriented agricultural practices have decreased the omega-3 content in green leafy vegetables, eggs - and even farm-raised fish - compared to the amounts found in the wild version of these same sources.

Widespread efforts to lower cholesterol by replacing saturated fats with omega-6 corn and safflower oils have resulted in a dietary imbalance of omega-6 oils. This imbalance can increase the risk of certain health conditions.

The only way to get these essential nutrients is to increase your fish consumption or take omega-3 supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks of every living cell in the human body.

But studies show that it's equally important to lower omega-6 intake, overall. This was the conclusion of a 1999 Workshop on the Essentiality of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which was attended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.




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