Although Omega-3 supplements are often purported to provide benefits for your eye and heart health, these products may also offer additional advantages, such as providing you with energy. Omega-3 supplements commonly come in a 1,000 mg dose, although other dosages are available. Always consult your doctor prior to taking any medication and never exceed recommended doses.
Omega-3 Explained
Omega-3 fatty acids are a particular form of fat considered to be essential for optimal health. As the University of Maryland Medical Center explains, your body can't produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own, so you need to obtain them through diet or supplementation. Omega-3 fatty acids are important in the development of your brain and may also reduce your risk of some diseases, including heart disease.
Omega-3 and Energy
Omega-3 fatty acids can supply you with energy because each gram of fat provides 9 calories. This amount is more than what protein and carbohydrates provide, four calories per gram. However, fat is oxidized more slowly by your body, which means that fat doesn't provide energy to your body as quickly as carbohydrates. For this reason, carbohydrates are considered to be your body's preferred fuel source.
Omega-3 and Exercise
Because of the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to provide energy, you may wish to use them to provide fuel for your exercise sessions. Although you should consume other foods in addition to omega-3 1,000 mg pills, as one provides just 9 calories, you may benefit from supplementation in conjunction with your pre-exercise meal. A study from the March 2011 issue of the "Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine" found that omega-3 fatty acid helped reduce inflammation caused by exercise.
Omega-3 Food Sources
If you don't like consuming omega-3 fatty acid supplements, you can find omega-3 fatty acids in many foods. Fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring and other fatty fish provide omega-3 fatty acids. You can also find omega-3 fatty acids in olive, canola and soybean oil as well as walnuts. You should note that many foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are high in calories, which can be a concern if you are dieting.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Clackamas Community College; Carbohydrates vs Fats; Sue Eggling
- "Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Attenuates Inflammatory Markers After Eccentric Exercise in Untrained Men; B. Tartibian, B.H. Maleki, A. Abbasi; March 2011
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Mayo Clinic: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
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