Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

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More and more research studies are finding that getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids is critical to our health in many ways. Omega-3 fats are essential for the survival of the human body, but our bodies can't manufacture them on their own, so we need to get them from the foods we eat. Good dietary sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are fish and seafood, like salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, herring, algae and krill, plus some plants and nut oils such as flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybeans and soybean oil, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil, purslane, perilla seed oil, and walnuts and walnut oil. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Omega-3s play a critical role in brain function and in normal growth and development. High levels of Omega-3 fatty acids are found in the brain and appear to be important for cognitive memory and performance and for behavioral function. Pregnant women who are deficient in Omega-3s put their infants at risk of developing vision and nerve problems. Symptoms of Omega-3 deficiency include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, cardiovascular problems, poor circulation, moodiness, and depression. Research studies have shown that Omega-3s may lower the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some types of cancer. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least 2 times per week, specifically fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon. For optimum health, it’s important to include a balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, while most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. Unfortunately, most American diets are unbalanced and have 14 to 25 ti... ... middle of paper ... ...ga-3 fats from animal sources so you will have premade DHA and EPA to help Omega-3 fats to be utilized in your body. Unfortunately, our fish supply is becoming more and more contaminated with pollutants and toxins like mercury, PCBs, dioxins, heavy metals and radioactive poisons. A solution to consider is getting your animal-based Omega-3 fats from krill oil or krill oil supplements, not only because of the superior efficacy, oxidation protection and absorption, but also because krill is a completely sustainable and environmentally friendly resource. It’s evident that getting enough Omega-3 fats in their pure, animal-based form through food sources and supplements may provide amazing health benefits to people of all ages. Making sure you get your Omega-3s every day is one of the easiest and most powerful things you can do for your heart and overall health.

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