Omega 3 fatty acids are incredibly important when it comes to supporting your overall health. In fact, there are few nutrients anywhere that have been subjected to such high levels of rigorous medical research to reveal the many health benefits of Omega 3. From high cholesterol and high blood pressure to arthritis, depression, inflammation, and many, many more, Omega 3 supplements can make a major difference in your health!
Where Omega 3 Supplements Come From
Omega 3 supplements don’t just show up on store shelves fully-formed. No, they have to come from somewhere, so it’s important to know just where these supplements originate to ensure you’re getting supplements from safe and all-natural sources.
Omega 3 supplements contain so-called “fatty acids”, which can also be considered “good” fats (fats that are beneficial for your body). There are three main types of fatty acids that your body needs to function –EPA, DHA, and ALA. For EPA and DHA, there are a number of different types of fish that are excellent sources (which is why Omega 3 is often called “fish oil”). Meanwhile, ALA can be found in certain nuts, seeds, and other plant sources.
Just how many different types of food contain Omega 3 fatty acids? The list is long. Fish like salmon, tuna, lake trout, anchovies, bluefish, herring, sturgeon and mackerel are great sources of EPA and DHA. ALA is high in walnuts, chia seeds, soybean oil, canola oil, and flax seeds.
Yet for those of us who don’t like any of these foods or have to deal with food allergies, taking Omega 3 supplements can solve that problem in a fantastic way.
The Many Benefits of Omega 3 Supplements
Omega 3 is, in many ways, the wonder supplement. There are so many excellent uses for this nutritional supplement, and so many of these uses are backed up by some very thorough research and scholarship. Here are the most common uses for Omega 3 and the science that proves their worth.
Omega 3 Arthritis Support
Omega 3 supplements are excellent for providing you with better bone and joint health. Not only is there evidence that Omega 3 can help increase your bone strength by encouraging calcium growth (which has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis), researchers have found that taking Omega 3 for arthritis can help increase grip strength and reduce joint pain!
Omega 3 Cholesterol Support
Taking Omega 3 for cholesterol control is well-researched and is often doctor-recommended. Omega 3 is linked to better levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and also to the reduction of triglycerides, providing a one-two punch of better heart health as a result.
Omega 3 and High Blood Pressure
Cholesterol control isn’t the only cardiovascular benefit of omega 3. Research has demonstrated that taking Omega 3 for blood pressure can be beneficial. With high blood pressure the cause of so many heart-related problems alongside high cholesterol, Omega 3 is one of the best all-natural ways to keep your blood pumping safely for years to come.
Omega 3 and Brain Health
Omega 3 supplements are absolutely crucial for our brain health. Dozens of research studies have shown that taking Omega 3 helps prevent the onset and the severity of age-related mental degradation from sources such as Alzheimer’s. Additionally, those suffering from mental illness have also shown to have their symptoms improve by correcting low levels of Omega 3 in their system by taking supplements high in Omega 3.
Omega 3 and Anti-Cancer Activity
Cancer is one of the biggest medical problems we have today when it comes to keeping people healthy. Thankfully, research into Omega 3’s role in supporting overall health has revealed that it may have anti-cancer properties. Specifically speaking, scientists have found that Omega 3 supplements reduce your risk of getting colon cancer by as much as 55 percent.
Omega 3 For Women’s Health
Proving that there’s no end to the benefits of Omega 3, research has shown that taking Omega 3 supplements can be beneficial for women who experience high amounts of pain during menstruation. Women who take Omega 3 supplements have been shown to experience less menstrual pain on average than those that don’t, and in fact Omega 3 may be more effective than ibuprofen for treating the most severe menstrual pain.
Miscellaneous Benefits of Omega 3
As if all these fantastic benefits of Omega 3 weren’t enough, there are a number of other miscellaneous ways that these fatty acids can support better overall health. Omega 3 is great for skin health, with research finding that it can help with keeping skin hydrated and free from acne. Researchers have also successfully treated insomnia and other sleep disorders with Omega 3. Finally, Omega 3 might play a role in reducing the risk of asthma in children and young adults.
How Much Omega 3 Should I Have Each Day?
There’s no official amount of Omega 3 you should take a day for best results. However, most research says that taking between 250-500mg of EPA and DHA daily is ideal. However, for treating specific illnesses and ailments from heart disease to depression and beyond, doctors recommend upwards of 2000-4000mg per day.
As far as safety is concerned, up to 5000mg of Omega 3 per day is generally recognized as safe. In fact, Omega 3 is recommended for pretty much everyone, including expectant and breastfeeding mothers as well as children. There are no real side effects associated with normal amounts of Omega 3, though exceeding 5000mg can lead to thinning of the blood. Additionally, taking some Omega 3 supplements that have other ingredients — such as vitamin A, for example — can have negative effects on your health as well.
Protect Your Health With Omega 3 Supplements
Omega 3 fatty acids are absolutely crucial for your overall health. With so many well-documented benefits associated with taking Omega 3 supplements, the best way to ensure you have a long, happy, healthy life is to include Omega 3 in your diet and nutrition whenever you can!
