Omega-3 is one of the essential acids that your body cannot produce on its own; therefore, you have to get it from food. Being deficient in omega-3 can lead to poor cognitive functioning, fatigue, dry skin, heart problems and changes in mood. Omega-3 fatty acids have been used in the treatment of numerous diseases such as heart disease, an assortment of cancers, mental health disorders and diabetes. The effectiveness of omega-3 at improving the various conditions it has been used to treat ranges.
Heart Disease
The addition of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of diet, and sometimes supplements, is recommended for the prevention of heart disease. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acid in your diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease by preventing the arrhythmias that cause heart attacks, improving your blood pressure, lowering your triglycerides, reducing your inflammation and making your blood vessels function better.
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat at least two servings of fatty fish a week to get enough omega-3 fatty acid to reduce your risks of heart disease. Walnuts and flaxseed offer significant plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acid and can be consumed instead of fish.
Prostate Cancer
Men who eat diets rich in fatty fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids have a reduced risk of developing the more serious forms of prostate cancer. Men who regularly consume fish reduce their risk of dying from prostate cancer by as much as 63 percent, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Colon Cancer
Omega-3 fatty acid has been linked to reduced risks of colon cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people who eat a significant amount of omega-3 rich foods, such as the Eskimos, have lower rates of colon cancer and adding omega-3 rich foods to your diet can help keep already developed colon cancer from worsening.
Depression
Omega-3 has been used to help reduce depression symptoms in some people; it can be effective at treating severe forms of depression for some people when it is used in combination with psychiatric medications, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Although omega-3 has helped some people, the effectiveness in treating depression is not fully understood and it does not appear to help everyone.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Omega-3 has been shown to reduce inflammation and, therefore, it is thought to be a beneficial treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-3 can help relieve some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as joint pain and morning stiffness, but it does not appear to slow the progression of the disease.
Diabetes
Adding omega-3 rich foods to your diet can help you if you have diabetes because diabetes increases your risk of developing high triglycerides and heart disease. The omega-3 rich foods will help to lower your blood triglycerides and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acid
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol
- Harvard School of Public Health: Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution
- Prostate Cancer Foundation: Fish-Filled Diet May Cut Prostate Cancer Mortality
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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