Omega 3 fats, also known as essential fatty acids, help in the functioning and health of many different parts of your body, most notably, your brain and your heart. In fact, a significant portion of your brain and heart tissue is comprised of essential fatty acids. Both omega 3 and omega 6 fats are found in the membranes of every cell in your body!
Omega 3 fats also promote the health of your skin, joints and hair, as well as your immune system. They have been found to be critical for normal growth and development in children.
When you examine the list of benefits attributed to these essential fatty acids, it's easy to see why they are quickly becoming one of the most researched topics in the scientific community - and one of the supplements most often recommended by health practitioners. They have been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, including:
- improved brain function
- improved blood sugar health
- increase in joint comfort
- lowers inflammation
- lowers LDL, raises HDL cholesterol
- healthier liver function
- relief of normal PMS symptoms
- boosts your immune system
- offers healthy mood support
- improves skin, hair and nails
Omega 3 Benefits and Disease Prevention
Because of their powerful ability to reduce inflammation, essential fatty acids have been linked with the prevention and treatment of a whole host of health problems, including:
- heart disease
- stroke
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- obesity
- arthritis
- osteoporosis
- Alzheimer's
- ADHD
- asthma
The benefits of essential fatty acids include improving all types of skin conditions skin conditions, providing relief for ailments such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
In addition, omega 3's are excellent mood lifters, helping to alleviate depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In fact, the evidence has become so compelling that some experts in the field are encouraging anyone suffering from depression to get an adequate intake of omega-3 fats.
Studies have already demonstrated that people following a Mediterranean diet (rich in essential fatty acids) have been found to be much less likely to develop cancer. This includes the most common types of cancer: breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
Studies also show that increased omega 3 intake by mothers during pregnancy may protect babies against the development of allergies. These essential fatty acids also protect against symptoms of hay fever, sinus infections, asthma, food allergies and allergic skin conditions such as hives and eczema
That's really quite a list of benefits! It's easy to see why omega 3 fats are quickly becoming one of the most researched topics in the scientific community - and one of the supplements most often recommended by health practitioners.
Women's Health
From menstrual cramps to menopausal symptoms, infertility and breast cancer, omega 3's have been shown to benefit women of all ages. Here are some specific examples:
Infertility and premature birth. When pregnant women increase their omega 3 intake, the risk of premature births are up to 50 percent less frequent, and fetal brain development also benefits. Mothers who supplement also lower their risk of postpartum depression.
Menopause. Omega-3 fatty acids can help many of the issues related to menopause. Low blood levels are associated with inflammation, which is the underlying cause behind many health problems arising in menopause - osteoporosis, heart disease, vaginal dryness, thinning skin and hair, and joint pain, to name some more familiar ones.
How to Get More Omega 3 Fats
The most well-known and widely researched sources are cold water fish. These include anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon and sardines. Wild-caught varieties are far superior to farm-raised; they not only have much more omega 3 fats, but are also significantly lower in toxic contaminants.
If you want to make sure that you get sufficient amounts of omega 3, you'll want to explore the different types of Omega 3 Supplements. Discover for yourself why they've become one of the most popular nutritional supplements being recommended today.
