Considered an essential nutrient because they cannot be manufactured by the body, Omega-3 fish oils protect the body from a number of disorders and diseases. Interestingly, the health benefits of Omega-3s are actually found within the specific fatty-acid chains contained in the fish oils. All varieties of fish contain Omega-3s, but cold-water fish appear to contain a higher concentration of this nutrient. If you would rather not eat fish, supplements are available.
Heart Disease Prevention
Omega-3s act to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol, known as low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, in people with heart disease, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Cold water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring and tuna, have the highest amount of Omega-3s and are a good addition to your diet if you have high cholesterol or if you have a history of heart disease in your family. In addition to lowering your LDL, Omega-3s also appear to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, thereby reducing your chance of clots and a possible heart attack or stroke.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief
Omega-3 fish oils act as anti-inflammatory agents on joints and may relieve the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints. If you suffer from this disease, taking a daily Omega-3 supplement or adding a few servings of fish per week, may allow you to enjoy a better quality of life, by reducing the pain in your joints. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that sufferers of RA reduced their reliance on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications when Omega-3s were added to the diet.
Osteoporosis Prevention
Omega-3s may increase calcium uptake and help prevent the onset, or slow the progression of, osteoporosis. Making more calcium available to the body keeps bones strong through continued bone formation. When there is a dearth of calcium in the body, the body begins to extract calcium from bones and teeth, thereby reducing strength and increasing the risk of injury. Adding an Omega-3 supplement to your daily routine may prevent future bone fractures, chipped teeth or even height loss due to osteoporosis.
Bipolar Disorder Regulation
Increasing the Omega-3s in your diet may stabilize your moods and mimic the effect of lithium on bipolar disorder, states Phyllis Balch in her book, "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing." As with any medication for a psychological disorder, the results are not instantaneous, but over time a reduction in the incidences of extreme mood swings are possible with adding cold-water fish or Omega-3 supplements to your diet.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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