Omega 3 Fatty Acids – What are they?

It’s been in the news a lot in the last few years. Omega 3! It’s the new health guarantee! But is it? Well, as always, the hype is partly right. Omega 3 fatty acids are incredibly good for the heart. It’s an acid the body can’t make, but it’s an essential fat. That means we need it to survive.

What’s so great about it? There are three acids in omega-3s. EPA, DHA and ALA. That’s all you need to know about that, you’re not a doctor. We’ll come back to those acronyms later.

Omega 3 fatty acid in your diet:

• Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease.
  Reduces risk of blood clots (omega-3 fatty acids help prevent blood platelets from clumping together.)
• Helps keep plaque from forming in the arteries.
• Help with inflammation of arthritis
• May raise levels of good cholesterol. And that’s good!

You’ve also heard that you can get Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna and others. You can also get Omega-3 fatty acids from certain plants like flax seeds, chia seeds, and soy products. But did you know that because of the type of acid found in plant sources (It’s ALA, I told you we’d come back to that), the body can’t absorb or process it well? So fish, fish oils or omega-3 supplements are your best choices.

However, be restrained. Two servings of fish a week is plenty, and if you’re also taking supplements, check with your doctor. Massive doses of omega-3 supplements can actually be damaging. Less is more!

Sources of natural Omega-3 fatty acids include:

• • Anchovies
  • Carp
  • Eel
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Swordfish
  • Trout