Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids. This means that your body needs these nutrients to survive, but is unable to produce them naturally. Therefore, you should make sure that your diet has sufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids. You can also take supplements that contain large amounts of the nutrient.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
There are three basic kinds of omega acids. The first is called docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, which is found in fish such as salmon and tuna. Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, is found in seafood such as halibut and krill. Finally, you can find alpha-linolenic acid, ALA, in English walnuts and certain vegetable oils.
Recommended Dosage
Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly part of any diet. Most physicians recommend limiting your intake to less than 3 g per day, MayoClinic.com warns. Higher doses can cause adverse side effects. Talk to your doctor before increasing your omega-3 fatty acids.
High Doses
High doses of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to numerous complications. Doses larger than 3 g daily can lead to bleeding problems. The high levels of omega-3 interfere with your blood's ability to clot. This can lead to mild symptoms, such as frequent bruises, or to possibly fatal problems, such as a hemorrhagic stroke. Too much omega-3 could also weaken your immune system, leading to more frequent infections.
Uses of Omega-3
In the right doses, omega-3 fatty acids can be used to help with a variety of conditions. Most commonly, omega-3 supplements are given to patients with high triglyceride levels and high blood pressure. A study published in the October 1988 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reports that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce triglyceride levels.
As an anti-hypertensive, omega-3 fatty acids have proven effective. An article in the June 1993 edition of the "Archives of Internal Medicine" indicates that high doses of omega-3 fatty acids are able to noticeably decrease blood pressure in patients with untreated hypertension.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- MedlinePlus: Fish oil
- MayoClinic: Omega-3 Fatty acids, Fish oil, Alpha-linolenic Acid -- Background
- MayoClinic: Omega-3 Fatty acids, Fish oil, Alpha-linolenic Acid -- Safety
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Hypertriglyceridemic Patients: Triglycerides vs. Methyl Esters; October 1988; Harris et al.
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Does supplementation of diet with 'fish oil' reduce blood pressure? A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials; January 1994; Appel et al.
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