Omega3 acid is a kind of fat. Unlike other dietary fats, they are good for our heart and circulatory health, as well as other parts of the body. Here’s a quick look at what increasing your omega-3 intake can do for you.
Let’s start with the outside of the body.
The skin is an organ of the immune system. Its appearance and strength are adversely affected by nutritional deficits in the diet.
One of the first symptoms of fatty acid deficiency is excessively dry skin. The skin’s natural moisturizer, called sebum, is composed primarily of fat, but some fats contribute to inflammation of the sebaceous glands, while others have anti-inflammatory activity.
Inflammation of the sebaceous glands contributes to acne. Research has shown that omega-3 supplements provide benefits in acne, because of their anti-inflammatory activity. In other studies, researchers have seen an improvement in the skin’s firmness and structure after three months of supplementation. Firmer skin is less wrinkled, as time goes by.
Now, what does it do for the inside of the body?
A number of diseases are attributed to an overactive immune system. Those include asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and Lupus. Increasing the intake of omega3 acid balances immune system responses.
Research has shown that children whose mothers have a high intake of omega-3s during pregnancy are less likely to suffer from allergies and asthma. Other studies have shown that supplementation reduces the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus.
When it comes to the heart and circulatory system, supplementation may reduce a person’s risk of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Because of the anti-coagulant activity of the fatty acids, there is a reduced risk of clotting, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
Omega3 acid is good for the brain, as well. One of the major components of brain cells and tissue is a specific omega-3 called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. DHA deficiencies contribute to depression, learning disorders, attention deficit disorders and abnormal brain development in children.
In one study, researchers found that visual acuity developed faster in infants that got enough DHA in their diet. That’s one of the reasons that most infant formulas are now fortified with DHA.
The importance of DHA to the eyes has to do with an essential fatty acid called retinol. When it comes to preserving the eyesight of the eyes, DHA is the most important of the omega-3s.
Recent studies indicate that some omega3 acid is converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin, one of the brain’s “feel good” chemicals. The feeling of being “happy” or “aline” is closely associated with serotonin deficiencies.
Some studies indicate that supplementation is advisable for sufferers of depression, including those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder.
Exactly how much omega3 acid you should take varies, depending on the amount of the omega-3s that you eat in your regular diet. The average person needs about twice as much omega-3 to get the full “lot” of the nutrition outlined in “eat for health”. That means 2 1/2 grams of omega-3s per day.
The FDA recommends a maximum of three grams per day. The average vegetarian’s diet consists of about one gram of omega-3s per day.
In the case of supplementation, a doctor can determine how much is needed, because in some cases, extreme stress can cause the body to become more resistant to the supplement.
You might ask how much fish oil is necessary to improve my health. The answer is, at least five servings of anomega3 acidproduct daily to allow for continued good health throughout a lifetime, if you live long enough to live to be 90 years old.How long will it beveray before you decide to supplement your diet? The answer is, at least 30 years. Will you bear children, work for anaerobic death metal repairing machinery or about 4-5 years.
That’s the wait – now just consider what it would take toreduce inflammationand correct a diet that causes it. The total treatment would likely include a number of relatively inexpensive anti-inflammatory drugs.
Doctors are increasingly suggesting that their patients take fish oil supplements, because of the natural triglyceride reduction effect.
They are also the only dietary supplement that consistently shows up in random studies as a powerfulpreventative against cardiovascular disease.
So, eat some fish, have a reasonable fat intake, stay out of the bloodstream and you’ll be fine. Enjoy optimum health throughout your 71st and beyond.
The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider if you have questions regarding your medical condition or treatment.
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