The Wonderful Health Benefits Of Omega 3

Overall Health Benefits Of Omega 3

Everyone needs the essential fatty acid, Omega3 for good health and optimal body function. This “good fat” helps encourage healthy cell growth and helps our nervous system and brain function properly. When exploring the wonderful health benefits of Omega3, we need to first look at how it works.

Omega3 fatty acids are a combination of 3 different essential fatty acids that each do a job in the body:

DHA (docosahexanoic acid) – the most abundant fatty acid found in the brain and eyes. About 50% of the body’s DHA is found concentrated in the plasma membranes of our neurons. Breast milk contains high amounts of DHA to support newborn brain cell growth.

EPA (eicosapentaenic acid) – While we can get this from fish sources, they don’t produce it. It comes from the algae the fish eat. This is one fatty acid that our bodies can convert from another fatty acid ALA. EPA is usually combined with DHA for best effectiveness.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) – The highest amounts of this fatty acid come from plants. Flax, chia seeds, kiwi, lingonberry and soybeans. ALA is not stable for baking and sources need to be milled in order to get the most benefits. Use caution with soybean sources as the GMO versions have very low levels of ALA.

Also, when these fatty acids are hydrogenated they can turn into unhealthy trans-fats. It is best to use raw organic sources of ALA for the most healthy benefits.

Omega3 and Disease Benefits

Whether you have a health condition or not, you still need to be eating adequate amounts of Omega3 in your diet for optimal health. If you have one of the diseases listed below, you may need to increase your intake of Omega3 with your doctor’s permission.

Omega3 fatty acids benefit the following diseases:

Auto-immune disorders – Chemicals known as “resolvins” reduce the inflammation of auto-immune disorders. Omega 3 fatty acids help the body increase production of resolvins and lower the inflammation present in these disorders.

Heart Disease – Omega 3 is helps reduce blood pressure, by thinning the blood and lowering inflammation inside the cardiac blood vessels. It can even help heal injured cardiac tissues. Cardiologists are even using Omega 3 to help people heal after heart attacks or open heart surgery.

Eye Disease – Diets high in Omega 3 fatty acids tend to have lower levels of macular degeneration and age related eye disease.

Depression and Anxiety – The neurons in the nervous system contain tiny bits of Omega 3 fatty acids. Lower levels may cause an increase in depression and anxiety. While Omega 3 is not a cure for mental illness, it may help reduce the symptoms.

Memory and Cognitive disorders – Brain cells are largely made up of Omega 3. Studies show that getting enough Omega 3 in the diet can help improve memory and cognition. Omega 3 is now added to infant formula and even some prenatal vitamins to ensure healthy brain development from the time of conception. Alzheimer’s patients must have adequate Omega 3 intake to slow the progression of the disease. Some investigations are looking at recovery from traumatic brain injury with Omega 3.

Omega 3 Food Sources

You can find the highest amounts of Omega 3 in seafood like, cold water wild salmon and shellfish. Non-meat sources include: flax and flax oil, walnuts, canola oil and soy products. We often do not get enough Omega 3 because our diet in the United States contains very little seafood.

The only problem with seafood based sources of Omega 3 is if the fish are exposed to high levels of mercury. Mercury can block the absorption of Omega 3 and also cause other health issues.

When choosing an Omega 3 supplement, make sure to look for the manufacturer’s attention to this very important detail.

A good diet for higher levels of Omega 3 is the Mediterranean diet. This diet contains foods that are high in the “good fats.” It is based on eating healthy oils and nuts, while lowering the intake of red meat.

Another good diet is the “Japanese diet” which contains a good amount of fish eaten on a daily basis. This is the best way to get the most Omega 3 from dietary sources. The recommendation for any diet is at least 2 servings of fish weekly. Eat cold water wild-caught fish like; white fish, tilapia and salmon.

Conclusion

You can experience the wonderful health benefits of Omega 3 by just making a few dietary changes. Getting plenty of Omega 3 in your diet can help you manage chronic health conditions and improve your overall body health.Make sure you talk to your doctor before using Omega 3 supplements or making a change in your diet.

Omega 3 Benefits

The “Good Fat” Omega-3 Benefits

Omega 3 fatty acids are considered “good fats,” and actually don’t cause you to gain fat. In our diets today we have “good fats” and “not so good fats.” In some ways they work together to help our body, and the “good fats” have a number of benefits all on their own. Let’s take a look at “the good fat” Omega 3 benefits.

Omega 3 fatty acids are made up of 3 different beneficial fatty acids; DHA, EPA, and ALA. We don’t produce these ourselves, so we need to get them from our diet. These essential fatty acids are found in fish and some healthy oils like, flax seed oil.

Getting Omega-3 benefits is tricky in the United States, because we don’t eat a lot of fish. Fish that has high levels of mercury cancels out the benefits of Omega3, and eating too much Omega6 fatty acids can also cancel out the benefits. Omega6 fatty acids are a good fatty acid in moderation. We need to eat more Omega3 fats and less Omega6. There has to be about a 3:1 balance, 3 parts Omega3 to 1 part Omega6. Omega6 fatty acids are found in; chicken, eggs, vegetable oils and cereal.

Eating just the right combination of these fatty acids can benefit our bodies in many ways.

Health Conditions that Benefit from Omega 3

Everyone needs Omega3 fatty acids. Even pregnant women can give their growing babies a boost in life by getting enough Omega 3 during pregnancy. Newborns, babies, children, teenagers, adults, and elderly people all need Omega3. It is a good idea to take a look at the foods you are eating and make sure you are getting enough of this nutrient. If you have a health issue that needs high levels of Omega3, make sure you are eating enough or see your doctor about taking a supplement.

Health issues that benefit from Omega3 fatty acids are:

Cardiac Disease

If you have heart disease, getting enough Omega3 fatty acids can help relieve the inflammation in your blood vessels and circulatory system. It can reduce your blood pressure, keep your blood thin, and even heal damaged cardiac tissues. Cardiac surgeons encourage you to take Omega3 supplements after open heart surgery to help you heal faster and reduce the risk of complications.

Auto-Immune Disease

Omega3 has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. In auto-immune disorders, the body attacks itself like an injury or illness. This results in inflammation and damage to the body’s own tissues.

Omega3 increases the production of “resolvins” that help stop this inflammation and attack. Omega3 can really lower the “flares” people experience with auto-immune disorders.

Eye Disease

Research shows that a diet high in Omega3 can lower the risk of macular degeneration. There is also evidence that it reduces the incidence of all age related eye disorders.

Memory Loss

Omega3 is a building block of healthy brain cells. There are proven results with cognitive function and memory. It can help build infant brain cells and improve memory in people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Healthy brains need Omega3. Studies even show that people with severe brain injury improve with the use of Omega3.

Depression

The neurons in the brain utilize a small amount of Omega3 to function properly. When there is not enough Omega3 present, neurons can become disrupted and nervous system issues like depression and anxiety tend to increase. While Omega3 is not a cure for depression, it may be helpful with symptom relief.

How to Find Omega 3 in Foods

You can find Omega3 fatty acids in fish and shellfish. There is also Omega3 in flax seeds, walnuts, canola oil, and soy products. It is important to increase your intake of these foods which are not very common in the American diet.

Be careful of seafood that contains a high amount of mercury. Mercury can cancel out the healthy benefits of Omega3 fatty acids and is also not good for your health. Pregnant women should not eat any fish containing mercury because of risk of damage to their growing baby.

A good diet that increases Omega3 is the Mediterranean diet. Try to eat more healthy oil and more nuts, while cutting down on red meat. Red meat is higher in Omega6 fatty acids that can cancel out the effects of Omega3. Another good diet is the Japanese diet, which is higher in fish. Fish has the highest amount of Omega3 of all the Omega3 containing foods. Two servings of fish every week is enough to get good amounts of Omega3 into the diet. Try eating these fish; salmon, tilapia and haddock are good fish to eat for Omega3.

Conclusion

Getting enough Omega3 means just making some small dietary changes. When you eat the right amounts of this essential nutrient you are giving your body what it needs for a healthy body and mind. Certain health conditions can also improve with enough of this fatty acid. The right balance of fatty acids can increase Omega3 benefits and improve your health. Make sure you talk to your doctor before using an Omega3 supplement.

The One Size Fits All Nutrient: Omega 3

Omega 3: The Nutrient for Everyone

We must eat a healthy diet in order to have healthy bodies from birth to adulthood. The growth of healthy cells and tissue depends on a number of nutrients: vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, fluids and electrolytes. The one nutrient often missed in our diet is the one size fits all nutrient; Omega 3 fatty acids.

This little talked about nutrient is suddenly becoming very well-known and for good reason. Researchers are finding that Omega 3 fatty acids are very essential to healthy body function, and our society is seriously deficient. Studies show that many health problems are directly attributed to the lack of Omega 3.

Omega 3 benefits the body in many ways. It helps our brain cells regenerate and function properly. It helps our cardiovascular system, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Even in the womb, Omega 3 builds brain cells in a growing fetus. After babies are born, they need Omega 3 to help brain development and learning. In later adult years, it may play a major role in preserving memory function. It keeps inflammation levels low in the body and keeps our eyes healthy.

Because of all these critical functions, researchers continue to study this important fatty acid to see if it will truly play a more important role in treating disorders and diseases related to deficient levels.

Whole Body Benefits From Omega 3

Studies are finding more and more positive benefits from Omega 3 every day. This vital nutrient has an effect on just about every part of your body. It builds new healthy cells and relays messages between the cells in your nervous system and brain. Here is a list of what has been found so far:

Brain and Memory – Recent research shows that Omega 3 fatty acids have a direct effect on brain cells and the way they function. Aging adults that eat more fish have less memory issues and problems with cognition over those who don’t eat fish weekly.
Cardiovascular Benefits – This is one of the more obvious benefits of Omega 3. Cardiologists have found that Omega 3 may help heal damaged heart tissue. One side-effect is blood thinning which may help prevent blood clots after open heart surgery. It may also keep the heartbeat regular, reduce cholesterol, and arterial plaques. Physicians use Omega 3 in higher amounts than the daily recommended dosage; this usage must be carefully monitored by a doctor, especially if you are on blood thinning medications.
Inflammation – Omega 3 has been shown in some studies to have a positive effect on inflammation in the body. Researchers are finding that it can signal the body to make more substances that block inflammation from starting.
Mental Health – Omega 3 may have a very positive on depression, ADHD, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder. People who use Omega 3 show reduced symptoms of these disorders.
Autoimmune Disorders – Since Omega 3 has an effect on inflammation in the body, it may help reduce symptoms in autoimmune diseases including; Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Strokes – Since one of the side-effects of Omega 3 is thinning the blood, it may help reduce the incidence of strokes. A stroke is caused by a blood clot that breaks off somewhere in the body and travels to the brain. Keeping the blood thinner reduces the incidence of clots.

Consult your physician about using Omega 3 if you are already on Blood thinning medications or have a history of stroke.

Diabetes – New research taking place shows that Omega 3 increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and improves the liver’s role in maintaining blood sugar levels. This fatty acid has been shown to help the lipid mediators, resolvin and protectin do their jobs better in diabetes.
Respiratory Disease – Studies show that Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation in the lungs, therefore reducing symptoms of many lung diseases. People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and upper respiratory issues notice less symptoms after taking Omega 3.
Cancer – There is a small amount of evidence that taking Omega 3 fatty acids may prolong the life expectancy of those living with breast and prostate cancer.
Eye Health – Macular degeneration is an age related disease found to improve from an intake of proper nutrients that benefit the eyes directly. Omega 3 fatty acid and fish oil may help the eyes rebuild healthy functional tissue. Research in this area is not complete, but does show promising results.

Conclusion

Omega 3 Fatty Acids can truly be called ‘The One Size Fits All Nutrient’, because of the many promising results it is showing in studies. While research is still in the beginning stages and ongoing, Omega 3 has already been found to have profound effects on the body all the way down to the basic cells. It has been found to benefit many areas, from the brain, to the heart, to the immune system. What is known already is that getting adequate amounts can greatly benefit your health!

Reducing Inflammation With Omega 3

Using Omega 3 to Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation occurs when our body gives off chemicals that respond to injury. Inflammation is also experienced by those who have heart disease and auto-immune diseases. When inflammation is chronic, it is our body having an over-reaction to something and attacking itself for no apparent reason. Many people need to turn to powerful anti-inflammatory medications or steroids to halt the process. Researchers are now finding a way of reducing inflammation with Omega 3.

Studies of Omega 3 and its role in inflammation, show that it has capabilities to reduce that inflammation. Since Omega 3 has a role in neuro-transmissions, it tells the body to release chemicals that stop inflammation and other chemicals that keep inflammation from coming back.

People who have enough Omega 3 in their system show signs of these anti-inflammatory chemicals.

Studies are ongoing and haven’t quite found the answer why, but researchers found that when they gave study subjects higher dosages of Omega 3, an extra chemical known as resolvin helped reduce inflammation and helped blood vessels heal after open heart surgery.

In auto-immune disorders, the body attacks itself instead of an illness or injury attacking it. This causes high levels of inflammation anywhere in the body. In a separate study of people with auto-immune disease, subjects were tested for Omega 3. The people who had enough Omega 3 in their system produced a powerful chemical known as polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFA. This chemical blocked auto-immune responses by the body.

Omega 3 Requirements for Inflammation

The key to using Omega 3 to help reduce inflammation in the body is to eat a healthy diet with enough Omega 3 foods. Omega 3 foods include; fish, grass fed animal protein, flax seed and flax oil, soybeans, walnuts, and winter squash.

One healthy diet to follow is the Mediterranean diet that is full of nuts, olive oil, fish, and other high Omega 3 foods.

Another good diet to follow is a Japanese type diet. This includes large amounts of healthy fish. You can also take an Omega 3 supplement from 1,000mg to 3,000mg daily.

Omega 3 has been found most effective for inflammation at right around 3,000mg daily. This is the upper recommended limit, so it is important to consult a physician before taking Omega 3 for inflammation. It can have side-effects and a drug interaction with blood thinning medications. You can eat 2 to 3 servings of fish weekly and each serving is about 1.5 grams of Omega 3.

After cardiac surgery, doctors may prescribe up to 4,000mg of Omega 3 to promote healing and reduce inflammation around the heart. This must be monitored by a physician, especially if you are on a blood thinner. For those who do not have health conditions, there are usually no side-effects. Any reported side-effects only involve the digestive system and are alleviated if taken with food.

Some Omega 3 sources may cause allergic reactions, so use caution in choosing a source.

Some fish oil supplements can cause an allergic reaction in those allergic to fish and shellfish. Tree nut allergies cause an allergic reaction to sources made from walnuts. There are many sources so make sure to find the right one for you.

Conclusion

Studies show promising results in reducing inflammation with Omega 3 intake. Omega 3 causes the body to produce chemicals that tell the body to “turn off” the inflammatory process. This reduces the need for powerful anti-inflammatory medications and assists the body with healing. This has already been shown to be helpful in recovering from cardiac surgery. The best way for Omega 3 to help with inflammation is to make sure you are eating enough Omega 3 foods in your diet. You can also add an Omega 3 supplement to your daily routine safely with very few side-effects. Always speak with your physician about adding Omega 3 supplements and stay within the recommended guidelines. You may be able to say goodbye to chronic inflammation and benefit your body in many ways!

Side-Effects And Omega 3: Good Or Bad

The Side-Effects of Omega 3

Omega 3 comes from all-natural sources and a natural nutrient the body needs. Therefore, many people wonder about side-effects and Omega3: good or bad. There are very few reported uncomfortable side-effects and this supplement is actually pretty gentle on the body. The only issue people encounter is if they are allergic to walnuts, fish, shellfish, soy or flax. Other than allergies, Omega 3 is generally safe and well-tolerated by most people.

In order to avoid side-effects, take Omega 3 with meals. Most consumers report they don’t even feel like they took anything, but do feel the benefits. In order to minimize any adverse effects, keep the recommended dosage to under 3,000mg daily or even less. Only doctors can recommend dosages over 3,000mg daily for certain medical conditions.

Omega 3 is generally safe, but please note that it must come from fish that have a low incidence of mercury including: white fish, wild caught salmon, and shellfish. If the supplement contains mercury, the body will not be able to absorb Omega 3 properly. The recommended source is “cold water” fish in order for the body to get the most benefit.

Very few Side-Effects

Omega 3 does have a few small reported side-effects, but most are limited to the digestive system. Most people find that taking the supplements with food alleviates them. Side-effects can include:

Fish “burps”
Mild nausea
Loose stools
Fish smell on breath or body odor
Increased bleeding tendencies if taking more than 3,000mg a day
Higher blood sugar for diabetic patients
Bloated abdomen

One side-effect critical to monitor is the use of Omega 3 if you are on blood thinners. Since Omega 3 thins the blood, the use of Omega 3 with Coumadin (warfarin), heparin, or Lovenox (injections) can make your blood too thin and increase risk of serious bleeding. Always check with your physician before using Omega 3 if you use anti-coagulant medications.

When using Omega 3 with chronic health conditions, inform your physician so he or she can adjust your dosage accordingly. If you have a heart condition you may need more than 3,000mg daily, but your doctor will need to start you at a lower dose and gradually increase it as tolerated.

Side-Effects that can be Good

For people who suffer from heart disease, a few of the side-effects of Omega 3 can be really beneficial, when taken correctly. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown in studies to lower blood pressure. This may cause dizziness in some people who have had a long-standing history of high blood pressure. This effect can be lessened just by taking in some added fluids during the day and getting up slowly when lying down.

For those with blood clotting disorders, Omega 3 has blood thinning properties that may help treat blood clots. While this condition must be monitored closely by a physician, and Omega 3 can have drug interactions when used with prescription blood thinners, doctors may use this supplement to prevent blood clots from happening in the first place.

Never take Omega 3 without a doctor’s knowledge if you are on a blood thinner. If you suffer from constipation issues, Omega 3 derived from cod liver oil may help to relieve constipation issues and increase bowel movements.

Conclusion

Looking at the side-effects of Omega 3 good or bad tell you that this supplement is very safe and good for your body. Both healthy people and people with health conditions can benefit from getting enough Omega 3 in their diet and through supplementation. It is important to check with your doctor before starting Omega 3 supplements, especially if you are under care for a chronic health condition.