Omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated fatty acids comprised of alpha linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Omega-3 fats are called essential fatty acids because they cannot be produced by the body, and so must be obtained through the diet, according to drweil.com. Dietary sources of omega-3 fats are found in certain plants, nuts and seeds and coldwater fish. Walnuts, flaxseeds, herring, sardines, salmon and mackerel are particularly rich sources, says drweil.com.
Eye Health
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, plays a vital role in the healthy structure and function of the eye and is especially important for proper retinal development, says dhaomega3.org. DHA is found in high concentrations in the retinal membrane and helps maintain membrane fluidity and proper functioning of retinal photopigment, according to dhaomega.org.
Heart Health
Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid help to prevent heart disease through decreasing inflammation, lowering triglycerides, lowering risk of blood clots and supporting healthy vascular function, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Additionally, the site reports that the intake of these fatty acids decreases the risk of heart rhythm problems, helping to prevent sudden cardiac death.
An article from the Dec. 6, 2009, issue of the journal Nature Reviews Cardiology--by JH Lee, JH O'Keefe, CJ Lavie and WH Harris--describes the importance of consuming omega-3 fatty acids, noting, "The evidence for the cardioprotective nature of omega-3 fatty acids is abundant........"
Arthritis
In an article from the May 2007 issue of the journal Pain, authors R.J. Goldberg and J Katz found that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids reduced joint pain, morning joint stiffness, decreased the number of joints involved and helped reduce the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. The Linus Pauling Institute cites data from studies that looked at omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Six out of seven of the studies found that supplementation helped reduce the requirement for the medications.
Dementia
People with low blood levels of DHA, the primary omega-3 acid in the brain, may have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, reports the Linus Pauling Institute. A paper in the August-September 2009 issue of the publication Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids--by G.M. Cole, Q.L. Ma and S.A. Frautschy--says more than a dozen epidemiological studies reveal that intake of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil is beneficial for preventing age-related dementia. The authors report that DHA protects against Alzheimer's partly by limiting the production and buildup of a toxin called amyloid beta peptide, thought to be involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Colorectal Cancer
The September 6, 2007, issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology reported findings from a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies, and concluded that fish consumption lowers the risk for colorectal cancer. Results from a study described at Sciencedaily.com found that consumption of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, mainly from fish, may help prevent colon cancer.
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