Facts about Omega 3, Your Diet & Supplements

Omega 3, is not produced naturally by our bodies. Omega3’s has many benefits  and one of them is helping to stop the premature aging. Let’s face it we all want to stay young and find the fountain of youth. I can’t promise you that, but I just might be able to help you take one small step closer to stayer younger and living longer.

What is Omega -3: Essential fatty acids are molecules that cannot be synthesized by the human body but are vital for normal metabolism. One of the two families of these essential fatty acids is the omega-3 fatty acids.

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesize them.  The term “essential fatty acid” refers to fatty acids required for biological processes, and not those that only act as fuel.

The three main forms of Omega-3:

• EPA
  
• DHA–EPA and DHA are both considered long-chain forms of omega-3 and are found in fish, fish oil supplements, and algae extract.
  
• alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).  ALA, the short-chain form, is found in plant sources like walnuts, flax-seed, chia seeds, canola and soybean oil, and, to a lesser degree, green leafy vegetables.

Strong evidence exists that these food sources still provide exceptional health benefits. To be certain you achieve optimal Omega-3 blood saturation levels as referenced in these studies, nutrition experts recommend supplementing with 2.4 grams per day of combined EPA and DHA.

What are the Health Benefits:

Studies have shown that Omega-3 has numerous health benefits, ranging from brain function reduces inflammation such as in arthritis, reduces depression, reduces strokes, helps with dementia, and can prevent heart disease.

In the 1970s, scientists discovered that the Inuit, Eskimos of Greenland were some of healthiest people in the world. They did not have arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and seem to live longer. Their diet was very high in fat from eating whale, salmon, and seal, and scientists concluded that Omega-3 was the determining factor in the Inuit people’s superior health.

Similar results were found in Iceland. People in Iceland have fewer problems with heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure and most importantly they have the longest life expectancy and the lowest infant mortality rate in the world. The conclusion again–scientist attributed to high intake of Omega-3 fish oils, particularly DHA and EPA.

More supporting studies:

Researchers published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Clinical Cardiology provide documented evidence that beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids from dietary sources and supplementation slash the overall risk of an early death. The long-chain fats DHA and EPA elicit a profound effect on the heart and brain to stop chronic heart diseases that cause an early death to millions of people.

Understanding how Omega-3 helps inflammation–A study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston revealed that omega-3’s actually convert into compounds that are 10,000 times more potent than the original fatty acids themselves.  The new compounds include resolvins, which help bring the inflammatory response to an end, says the study’s lead researcher, Charles Serhan, PhD, director, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Harvard Medical School, Boston.  The Experimental evidence indicates that resolvins reduce cellular inflammation by inhibiting the production and transportation of inflammatory cells and chemicals to the sites of inflammation.

Researchers from the American Heart Association Journal Stroke commented on the ground breaking conclusions of multiple Omega-3 studies: “Evidence from prospective secondary prevention studies suggests that EPA+DHA supplementation ranging from 0.5 ti 1.8 g/d either as fatty fish or supplements help to improve the critical balance with Omega-6 fats to lower systemic inflammation. This provides the primary risk-reduction mechanism associated with the long-chain fatty acid fat.

There is overwhelming evidence that Omega-3 fats have exceptional health benefits to help us all live a long and health life. My suggestion when supplementing check to make sure that the (click on to order) fish oil or krill oil is molecularity distilled to avoid contamination and if you choose to try chia seeds or flax seeds make sure they are organic for the healthiest choice and to avoid any environmental contamination.

Quote of the Day: Truly successful decision making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking! – Malcolm Gladwell

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Marla

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Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I believe in living green, organically, and natural in every aspect of our lives. My mission is to help educate you on how to live green, help save our environment and to help you and your family live a happier, healthier life!