You’ve probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids, especially if you have an inflammatory type of arthritis. They help reduce inflammation throughout the body, and some studies have shown benefits for heart health, brain function and diabetes.

Fish oil (EPA and DHA) is the most commonly used dietary supplement globally. A study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease in 2013, found that when a high-dose fish oil supplement is added to so-called triple therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine), patients achieved better outcomes: they were far less likely to “fail” treatment and twice as likely to reach remission than those who did not take a supplement.

Until somewhat recently, no one really knew what made omega-3s so beneficial. Researchers, however, believe they have uncovered the secret of omega-3 fatty acids. A study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston revealed that omega-3s actually convert into compounds that are 10,000 times more powerful than original fatty acids.

So what does this mean to us?

These compounds include resolvins, which help bring an inflammatory response in the body 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.

Lets start at the beginning – What are omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat the body cannot make on its own. They are an essential fat, which means they are needed to survive. We get the omega-3 fatty acids we need from the foods we eat.

What are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids?

Fish are the best food source of omega-3 fatty acids. Some plants sources like Flax Seeds and Chia seeds also contain omega-3 fatty acids.

What do EPA, DHA and ALA mean?

There are two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids in fish — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The form of omega-3 in plants is called alpha-linolenic (ALA).

 

Omega 3 Natural Foods

How much Omega-3 do I need?

Most research around the subject claim that patients who do not have a history of heart disease eat at least 2 servings of fish each week. This should include a variety of fish. Cold-water wild varieties of fish like mackerel (Ayala), tuna, salmon, sardines and Hilsa contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

If you have heart disease, your healthcare professional may recommend that you have one gram of EPA +DHA every day. If you have trouble getting this amount through food alone, talk to your doctor about taking a fish oil supplement.

If you have high triglyceride levels, you may need to eat more foods that are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, even if you take medication to lower your triglyceride levels. Your healthcare provider may also want you to take a fish oil supplement. 

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Joint Health Benefit – Omega-3s Can Fight Inflammation

Many people take supplements to support joint health. Some take them to relieve current joint pain, while others take them to prevent pain from developing.

Anyone concerned about joint pain or their joint health should see a doctor for a full diagnosis. That said, there are a number of supplements available that might help keep the joints healthy.

Inflammation is a natural response to infections and damage in your body. Therefore, it is vital for your health. However, inflammation sometimes persists for a long time, even without an infection or injury. This is called chronic — or long-term — inflammation.

Long-term inflammation can contribute to almost every chronic illness, including heart disease and cancer. Notably, omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation, such as inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines

Studies have consistently observed a connection between higher omega-3 intake and reduced inflammation

Fish - Omega 3

What if I’m allergic to fish or don’t want to eat fish?

Fish is the best food source of omega-3 fatty acids, but several plants contain ALA. This is not as rich of a source of omega-3 fatty acids, but some studies show that ALA can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Good sources of ALA are ground or milled flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, soy foods and canola oil. Another source of ALA is algae or algae oil, which is broken down to DHA. Many foods that are fortified with omega-3 use algae oil. These are excellent options for vegetarians that do not eat fish.

There are currently no serving size recommendations for ALA-rich foods. But, adding these foods to your diet regularly may help your heart health.

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS

They have many powerful health benefits for your body and brain. In fact, few nutrients have been studied as thoroughly as omega-3 fatty acids.

Here are 5 more health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids that are supported by science.

Omega-3 Fats Are Good For Your Skin

DHA is a structural component of your skin. It is responsible for the health of cell membranes, which make up a large part of your skin. A healthy cell membrane results in soft, moist, supple and wrinkle-free skin.

EPA also benefits your skin in several ways, including

  • Managing oil production and hydration of your skin.
  • Preventing hyperkeratinization of hair follicles, which appears as the little red bumps often seen on upper arms.
  • Reducing premature aging of your skin.
  • Reducing the risk of acne.
  • Omega-3s can also protect your skin from sun damage. EPA helps block the release of substances that eat away at the collagen in your skin after sun exposure

Omega-3s Can Improve Eye Health

DHA, a type of omega-3, is a major structural component of the retina of your eye. When you don’t get enough DHA, vision problems may arise. Interestingly, getting enough omega-3 is linked to a reduced risk of macular degeneration, one of the world’s leading causes of permanent eye damage and blindness

Omega-3s Can Improve Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Heart attacks and strokes are the world’s leading causes of death. Decades ago, researchers observed that fish-eating communities had very low rates of these diseases. This was later linked to omega-3 consumption. Since then, omega-3 fatty acids have been tied to numerous benefits for heart health

These benefits address:

  • Triglycerides: Omega-3s can cause a major reduction in triglycerides, usually in the range of 15–30%
  • Blood pressure: Omega-3s can reduce blood pressure levels in people with high blood pressure .
  • “Good” HDL cholesterol: Omega-3s can raise “good” HDL cholesterol levels
  • Blood clots: Omega-3s can keep blood platelets from clumping together. This helps prevent the formation of harmful blood clots
  • Plaque: By keeping your arteries smooth and free from damage, omega-3s help prevent the plaque that can restrict and harden your arteries inflammation:
  • Omega-3s reduce the production of some substances released during your body’s inflammatory response
  • For some people, omega-3s can also lower “bad” LDL cholesterol. However, evidence is mixed — some studies find increases in LDL

Despite these beneficial effects on heart disease risk factors, there is no convincing evidence that omega-3 supplements can prevent heart attacks or strokes. Many studies find no benefit

Omega-3s Can Promote Brain Health During Pregnancy and Early Life

Omega-3s are crucial for brain growth and development in infants. DHA accounts for 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in your brain and 60% in the retina of your eye

Therefore, it’s no surprise that infants fed a DHA-fortified formula have better eyesight than infants fed a formula without it. Getting enough omega-3s during pregnancy is associated with numerous benefits for your child, including

  • Higher intelligence
  • Better communication and social skills
  • Fewer behavioral problems
  • Decreased risk of developmental delay
  • Decreased risk of ADHD, autism and cerebral palsy

Omega-3s Can Fight Depression and Anxiety.

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the world. Symptoms include sadness, lethargy and a general loss of interest in life. Anxiety, also a common disorder, is characterized by constant worry and nervousness. Interestingly, studies indicate that people who consume omega-3s regularly are less likely to be depressed. What’s more, when people with depression or anxiety start taking omega-3 supplements, their symptoms improve.

There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: ALA, EPA and DHA. Of the three, EPA appears to be the best at fighting depression.

One study even found EPA as effective against depression as a common antidepressant drug.

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