Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of essential fatty acid. Your body must acquire omega 3 fatty acids from food sources or supplements to facilitate blood circulation and improve cardiovascular health. Omega 3 fatty acids also help alleviate the symptoms of neurological conditions. Exceeding your recommended daily omega 3 fatty acid intake causes adverse effects.
Function
Omega 3 fatty acids lower triglycerides and reduce the growth of atherosclerotic plaque -- a buildup in arterial walls that often leads to heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids help your brain work properly. Omega 3 fatty acids are particularly vital to cognitive and behavioral function. Your body also uses this fatty acid to facilitate the normal physiological growth and development, Drugs.com notes.
Dosing
Omega 3 fatty acid from fish oil comes in two forms: eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA. Carefully check fish oil supplement labels so that you know how the amount of EPA and DHA contained in each dose. Omega 3 fatty acid intake for children varies from child to child. Adults should not take more than 3 g of omega 3 fatty acids per day, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains.
Adverse Effects
Excessive omega 3 fatty acid intake often causes heartburn and nausea. You may also experience pain in your back and chest area, nausea and an altered sense of taste. Taking more than your recommended dose of omega 3 fatty acids may interfere with breathing and cause swelling of the throat and facial area, Drugs.com cites.
Food Sources and Supplements
You can get omega 3 fatty acids from eating certain types of fish such as halibut, herring, salmon and tuna. Algae and krill also contain omega 3 fatty acids. You can also get omega 3 fatty acids from plant sources such as flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and soybeans. Walnuts also contain omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are also contained in flaxseed oil, pumpkin seed oil and soybean oil. Typically, eating these foods is preferable, according to the American Heart Association, as food intake rarely leads to an overdose of omega 3; overdosing on omega 3 occurs mostly when taking large doses of omega 3 supplements. Always consult a physician prior to taking omega 3 supplements.
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