Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 essential fatty acids are often in the news, but they seem to drift in and out of public consciousness. Let us review the terminology, they are known as ‘essential’ because they cannot be created in adequate quantities by our bodies. In other words, we have to consume them.
The supreme importance of Omega 3 essential fatty acids actually came to light in the 1970’s while a group of Danish scientists found than Inuits in Greenland had a far lower rate of cardiovascular problems than Europeans and Americans, despite ingesting a diet high in fat.
However, the difference between the diets was that the Inuits derived their fat from sea creatures whereas the other nationalities derived theirs from land animals. The significance of Omega 3 essential fatty acids was established
Once that original research had been verified, other tests on the same topic were carried out by other groups and they all confirmed the significance of Omega 3 essential fatty acids in our diets. These substances help prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes and macular degeneration and will also alleviate these conditions if you did not find out about them until it was ‘too late’.
Our main source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids is oily fish like tuna, salmon and mackerel fish and other sea foodstuffs. Investigation backs up the age-old old wives’ tale that fish is brain food. It actually is, but it also goes further than that. Omega 3 can help stave off lots of the so-called age-related issues like memory loss besides the ones already mentioned above.
Some investigation has also shown that a deficiency in Omega 3 in children might lead to learning disorders like hyperactivity and attention disorders. There could also be a link to dyslexia. Other disorders that are more certainly linked to a deficiency of Omega 3 are depression, some allergies and arthritis. This means that expectant mothers should be careful of their consumption of Omega 3.
This fish oil has also been seen to reduce the seriousness of high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. It also seems to have a beneficial, anti-aging effect on the skin and wrinkles if taken internally as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Most dietitians would recommend eating oily fish twice per week, but that does not mean that you cannot ingest it in capsules.
It is important to see Omega 3 in relation to other essential fatty acids like omega 6. Omega 6 and omega 3 vie for the same position in our systems and that place is only so big. If you eat too much omega 3, omega 6 cannot get a look in and vice-versa. It is a broad topic, so you are advised to do more research or take the advice of a dietitian.
However, before you accept everything that they say, enquire about the interaction of omegas 3 and 6 and see what they have to say.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a number of topics, and is now concerned with pure omega 3. If you want to know more, please go to our web site at Omega 6 9