The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

For many years, health experts and doctors have recommended that their patients consume fish oil supplements because of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.

This is based on the many years of research into these essential fats and because they believe that the supplements are beneficial to lowering the potential of heart disease, stroke, death and even sudden death caused by heart disease among others.

Omega-3 fatty acids refer to a category of necessary fats including ALA, DHA and EPA.

These essential fats in the omega-3 category are considered essential because they do not have the ability to be synthesized in the body.

In fact, these DHA and EPA fats are essential to healthy living.

A deficiency of these fats shows symptoms of poor circulation, cardiovascular problems, fatigue, dry skin, memory problems, depression and mood swings.

Not every fat is bad for the body!

What are these health benefits?

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be good for:

• the heart, by reducing the risk of a heart attack and arrhythmia

• lowering bad cholesterol/triglycerides levels, blood pressure and delaying the development of plaque inside the arteries

• nourishing the brain and protecting against a mixture of medical conditions including dementia, depression, cognitive and brain abilities and psychiatric disorders

• protecting against cognitive aging (anti-aging)

• reducing inflammation, arthritis and joint pain

• helping with neural development in babies

• believed to help children with ADHD

• skin and beauty, by improving the appearance and health of skin, hair and nails

• vision by encouraging the growth of healthy blood vessels in the eyes and possibly helping with AMD (age-related macular degeneration). Research in AMD is ongoing.

• diabetes by helping to lower triglycerides and raise HDL levels

Where can you find these omega-3 essential fats?

Many of the common sources from food include oils pressed from plant life, krill, squid, eggs, algae, flaxseed and fish.

However, fish tend to be highly efficient, especially when compared to mammals, at converting the fatty acid ALA into both DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids.

Because of that, they are the most powerful source of omega-3s.

Even the AHA (American Heart Association) highly recommends that individuals that experience high triglyceride levels consume fatty fish that contain omega-3s.

This is because they believe it will lower triglycerides and boost HCL (good) cholesterol levels.

However, consuming fatty fish brings with it its own problems.

Because of that, many doctors are recommending that their patients take omega-3 fatty acid supplements instead.

Omega-3 supplements for vegetarians

Many vegetarians do not consume any fish products at all. Fortunately, algae supplements, and those sourced from flaxseed, canola oil, spinach, broccoli, walnuts and other products contain the same rich fortified omega-3s found in fish oil.

Omega-3 in supplement form

Because most omega-3 fatty acids are sourced from fish foods, they present a problem for individuals that do not like the fishy taste. Doctors recommend that individuals consume one gram every day.

Taken as a supplement, individuals that do not like fish can still reap the benefits.

Many of these supplements encase fish oil in a capsule that makes swallowing the product much easier.

Still, it can at times lead to a fishy burp or taste in the mouth if the fish oil used is not as fresh as it might be.

However, there are some highly recommended companies which use fish oil created from fresh fish and manufacture supplements to the highest quality and this ensures that there is no burping or fishy taste.

There are significant benefits to taking omega-3 supplements every day, because the omega-3 fatty acids are essential to healthy living. When taken in proper dosages, the oils can be extremely beneficial to both men and women.

David Laurence is a long time advocate and researcher of natural cures for health problems. Visit his website now at Leading A Healthy Lifestyle [http://leadingahealthylifestyle.com/] and find out more about having a healthy lifestyle and wellness by using simple, natural methods. The products we use come from the pristine environment of New Zealand with excellent results. Be sure to check out our omega-3 health benefits.