Omega-3 Fatty Acids In Their Natural Triglyceride (TG) Form Are More Easily And Immediately Digested Into Your System.

By Jean Kelly


In fact, recent polls show that omega-3 supplements are now the first supplement choice of most Americans, with multivitamins in second place. The benefit of taking omega-3 supplements are numerous and are supported by a large body of scientific research. Several prominent organizations like the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization have affirmed these benefits, especially for promoting heart health.

Always take your supplements with food, because eating stimulates blood flow in your digestive system. Increased blood flow improves the absorption of the nutrients from your supplements.

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) DHA is the most highly unsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found in nature. DHA is critical for developing and maintaining the brain and eyes of the fetus, infant, child, and adult. DHA is an important building block of the brain, nerves, and eyes. It is found in 40-50% of brain lipid material and 60% of retinal material.

Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that cannot be manufactured by the body. As such, we must obtain these essential nutrients through dietary sources. Both omega-6 and omega-3 have an opposing effect in bodily functions. Omega-6 produce hormones in the body that are known to support inflammation (garnering an immune response), the clotting of blood, cellular proliferation. Omega-6, on the other hand, produce hormones that regulate these same functions in the opposite direction. The body requires a balance of hormones for optimal health.

Your body uses omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to form the outer walls of every cell. This healthy cell structure helps maintain vital metabolic functions. And since your body cannot produce DHA or synthesize it from food, you need to add it to your diet or take DHA supplements.

Since they can also lower your HDL (good) cholesterol, eating trans fatty acids can increase your risk of heart disease. Packaged foods likely to contain trans fats have the words "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oil on their labels. These hydrogenated oils are commonly used in pastries, cookies, and margarine. Hydrogenated oils are solid at room temperature.

Monounsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids can help protect your cardiovascular system. Sources of monounsaturated fat include olive, canola, or peanut oil. Omega 9 (oleic acid) is the most prevalent monounsaturated fatty acid in nature. Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature.

Since these fish also contain impurities and contaminants like lead, mercury and other PCBs, consumption should be limited to just twice a week. Pregnant and lactating mothers are advised not to eat certain fresh fish because of impurities present in them. An excellent option to fresh fish consumption is high-quality pharmaceutical grade omega-3 supplements.

Your body uses omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to form the outer walls of every cell. This healthy cell structure helps maintain normal metabolic functions. And since your body cannot produce EPA or synthesize it from food, you need to add it to your diet or take EPA supplements.

Estimates from studies in Stone Age nutrition and modern-day hunter-gatherer populations suggest that humans have consumed a diet consisting of fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables for thousands of years. This diet was much lower in saturated fatty acids than our current diet and contained small amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, in a 2:1 ratio.

Are we getting enough omega-3 fatty acids?

Supports joint health. Since omega 3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect, many people have found great relief from joint discomfort by taking omega-3 supplements.

But most North Americans don't eat much fish. The more popular fish tend to be those lower in omega 3s, like white fish. In addition, deep-frying can reduce omega-3 potency. So the average American diet contains fewer than 200 milligrams per day of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Supports memory and cognitive skills. Several studies show omega 3 fatty acids support brain power, boost memory and cognitive skills.

Widespread efforts to lower cholesterol by replacing saturated fats with omega-6 corn and safflower oils have resulted in a dietary imbalance of omega-6 oils. This imbalance can increase the risk of certain health conditions.

The only way to get these essential nutrients is to increase your fish consumption or take omega-3 supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks of every living cell in the human body.

But studies show that it's equally important to lower omega-6 intake, overall. This was the conclusion of a 1999 Workshop on the Essentiality of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which was attended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.




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