Omega-3 fatty acids come from seafood, fish and some plant sources like flax and walnuts. Your body needs both omega-3 and omega-6 fats. However, the standard Western diet is so high in omega-6 fats, which come from plant sources like corn and soybeans and animal sources like pork. With the high incidence of omega-6 fatty acids in the Western diet, your body's ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fats is thrown off, according to Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades. Consuming omega-3 capsules derived from fish oil, walnut oil and flaxseed oil can help to restore this ratio to a healthier balance, which leads to many health benefits.
Reduced Inflammation
According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, scientists discovered that omega-3 fatty acids might play a role in decreasing inflammation when they compared the relative absence of inflammatory autoimmune conditions in Greenland Eskimos with the presence of the same conditions in people of a similar demographic in Denmark. The Eskimo population ate significantly more fish, which are rich in omega-3 fats. Further study showed that omega-3 fat supplementation reduced inflammation, making it a viable treatment for inflammatory autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
The Mayo Clinic website states that regular intake of omega-3 fats reduces your chance of dying of heart disease. One reason for this is that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids reduces cholesterol, especially when you replace some of the saturated fat in your diet with omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats also improve cardiovascular health because of their anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is correlated with heart disease, and reducing inflammation reduces your risk factors. The Creighton University website elaborates, saying omega-3 fats also decrease triglycerides, regulate heart arrhythmia and decrease the growth of arterial plaque.
Better Brain Function
Omega-3 fats are especially important in healthy brain function, according to a report in Science Daily. Omega-3 fats may improve memory and learning ability. They may also be beneficial in preventing and treating mood and psychological disorders. Mental disorders like dementia, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, depression and schizophrenia have all been linked to low levels of omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats act in the brain by increasing the plasticity of synapses and serving as an antioxidant that fights free radical damage, which can result in improved cognitive function.
References
- "Protein Power Lifeplan;" Michael R. Eades, M.D. and Mary Dan Eades, M.D.; 2000
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition:" Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases; Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D., FACN; June, 2002
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 in Fish: How Eating Fish Helps Your Heart
- Creighton University Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease
- "Science Daily:" Scientists Learn How Food Affects the Brain: Omega-3 Especially Important; July 11, 2008



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