Is Omega 3 Good to Take?

You can get omega-3 fatty acids from dietary sources as well as supplements. In addition to fish, some plants and the oils from nuts and seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Whether you obtain your omega-3 fatty acids from food or supplements, eating an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids can benefit you in several different ways.

Identification and Function

Your body is unable to make long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are called n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; therefore you must meet your dietary requirement from foods or supplements. The fatty acids are important for your brain's function, muscular movement, fertility and your body's ability to clot and move nutrients and liquids through cell walls, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids on a regular basis may lower your blood pressure. Lower levels decrease your risk for developing heart disease. The polyunsaturated fats lessen the inflammation in your blood vessels as well as lower your risk of dying suddenly from a cardiac event. A study published in the January 2010 issue of the "Clinical Experimental Hypertension" journal found that the participants whose diet included a polyunsaturated fat acid or omega-3 supplement experienced a decrease in their base blood pressure.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious, progressive autoimmune disease that causes stiffness and difficulty walking due to joint inflammation. Supplementing the diet of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis with omega-3 fatty acids not only improves the reported symptoms but seems to reduce the patients' need for anti-inflammatory drug supplementation as outlined in an August 2006 study published in the journal "Nutrition in Clinical Practice."

Effect on Cholesterol

Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in reducing your cholesterol levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Two of the acids found in omega-3, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic, may be responsible for the improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels seen in people whose diet is rich in omega-3. Walnuts and fish both improve the amounts of HDL, or good cholesterol, in your blood, while reducing your levels of unhealthy triglycerides. Lower levels of cholesterol can further reduce your risk of heart disease, including stroke.

Dietary Intake

The U.S. government has no established dietary reference intake for omega-3. However, if you eat fish twice a week, add olive oil to soups and salad dressings, drizzle canola oil over vegetables prior to roasting, or sprinkle flaxseed in cereals or casseroles, you will benefit your health. Follow your doctor's recommendation on taking an omega-3 supplement.