Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are some of the “good fats” your body needs in order to function optimally, but unfortunately your body doesn’t produce enough of these goodies naturally and instead gets them from certain important foods. Omega-3s have some amazing effects on health, including prevention of certain diseases and helping to regulate things like hormone production. There are three different types of Omega-3s: ALA (this one is the most important to consume, as it is an essential fat), DHA and DPA.

Omega-3s For Cardiovascular Health

Omega-3s are very heart-healthy. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “These fats appear to help the heart beat at a steady clip and not veer into a dangerous or potentially fatal erratic rhythm. Omega-3 fats also lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve blood vessel function, and, at higher doses, lower triglycerides and may ease inflammation, which plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis.” Omega-3 supplements are often recommended by doctors to patients with cardiovascular problems, or as a preventative measure for those at risk of developing heart issues.

The Many Other Benefits

The health benefits Omega-3s are vast, among them are helping to control chronic inflammation which aids with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, helping also to control airway inflammation in asthmatics. Some studies seem to show a link between omega-3s found in fish oil and the prevention and progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia. These super fats have also shown a positive influence over such mental health conditions as ADHD and depression, working in tandem with antidepressants to help alleviate some of the symptoms. Because the benefits of these fats extend far beyond this list, doctors recommend everyone try to eat fish, nuts or other omega-3-containing foods 3-4 times weekly.

Good Dietary Sources

Omega-3s can be found in many healthy foods such as:

Nuts – walnuts, pine nuts, almonds and peanuts

Fish and seafood – mackerel, salmon, anchovies, herring, oysters, sardines, caviar

Some oils – sunflower oil, corn oil

Flaxseeds and chia seeds

Soybeans

Spinach

Precautions

If you don’t like many Omega-3 foods, supplements are available to take. However, people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia should be careful with Omega-3s, as well as people on blood-thinners such as Warfarin. Omega-3s could cause bloating or diarrhea in some people. As with any medication or supplement, it is important to consult your primary care doctor or one of our qualified physicians at DocChat before beginning an Omega-3 supplement.