Living Well
The Secret Is Out! Little Known Benefits Of Omega-3
Jul 8, 2016Until few years ago, we were told to eat less fat, so that we could limit our calorie intake. But studies now suggest that you can get up to 35% of your calories from fat as long as you replace your bad fats with the good ones. In fact, the research is building up in favor of good fats, as proponents of the “paleo” or “hunter-gatherer” diet find more evidence to back their claims.
Omega-3 fatty acids come from the family of polyunsaturated fats that are not unhealthy; they are the “good” fats. Omega-3 fatty acids come in different forms. The Eicosapentaenoic Acid (or simply EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) which are found in fish have the strongest benefits of omega 3. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) is the other Omega-3 fatty acid found in leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, vegetable oils, walnuts etc.
Omega-3 For Eyesight
Omega 3 supplements
Fatty acids and eyesight! You must be wondering why would your eyes would need fats? Well, fatty acids are critical for formation and functioning of cells, muscles and nerves. Studies show that Omega-3 offers a range of benefits in vision problems like dry eye and macular degeneration. Due to our meat-lead American diet, we have higher levels of Omega 6s than Omega-3s, which is why supplementation is a good idea.
- Dosage: A combination of 2000-3000 mg of Omega 3, in 2-3 divided doses per day (in a combination of EPA and DHA) is recommended for improving the eyesight.
Omega-3 For Menopause
Omega-3 essential fatty acids can work wonders for menopausal symptoms like menstrual cramps. Supplementing with Omega-3 helps symptoms like osteoporosis, hot flashes, mood swings, worsening memory, thinning hair, vaginal dryness etc.
- Dosage: A dose of 500 mg EPA of Omega-3 thrice a day for 8 weeks is recommended for women going through menopause. The dose may be adjusted and continued with advice from a medical professional as needed.
Omega 3 For Migraines
The National Headache Foundation (NHF) reports that nearly 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraines. Adding Omega-3 to your diet helps reducing inflammation, which often aggravates migraine pains. The fatty acid has been proven to reduce the severity, frequency and duration of migraine pains.
- Dosage: A dosage of 1000mg of Omega 3 per day, in a combination of EPA and DHA seems to work for many in studies
Omega 3 For Depression
Depression affects nearly 340 million people worldwide and sadly, more than half of these people do not receive a proper diagnosis. Studies suggest that increasing Omega-3 intake can boost brain function, reduce mood swings and aggressive behavior and increase attention span and retention of memories.
- Dosage: Around 2000mg of Omega 3, per day in divided dose. (EPA should be 1200mg or more)
Immunity
Our immune system is complex which is made up of different kinds of cells and organs that protect us from toxins and other oxidative processes that damage the cells. Omega-3 supplements help neutralize toxins in the body. They boost immunity and studies show that those who took the supplement had lesser incidence of colds and flu.
- Dosage: A dose of 3000-4000 mg of Omega-3 per day, in divided doses, is recommended for boosting the immunity.
Arthritis and other autoimmune diseases
Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis where the immune system attacks the body for unknown reasons are reported to improve remarkably with a daily supplementation of Omega-3.
- Dosage: up to 5.2mg per day (in two equal doses).
If one choses a fish oil supplement they must make sure that it is mercury free and has at least 30% EPA or DHA. For the same immune-modulating reasons, Omega 3 fatty acids also help with other auto-immune diseases like:
benefits of omega 3
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Eczema
- Crohn’s Disease
- Lupus and
- Asthma
Omega-3 fatty acids are fantastic for a healthy heart (reducing triglycerides, lowering blood pressure), brain, skin, hair, body and more. We may all want to consider adding fish oil to our daily supplementation regime or consume fatty fish at least twice a week. All in all, you can’t go wrong with this fantastic fat!
Please note: If consumed in excessively high doses, Omega-3 may cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects. If you are on blood thinners, do tell your doctor about your Omega 3 consumption. Since Omega 3 works by make blood thinner to improve circulation, it may hamper blood clotting when combined with other blood thinners.
Know more about our program: Control Your Cystic Acne, Naturally
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.
Latest posts by Mahesh Jayaraman (see all)
- Getting Pregnant: Your Foundational Health is Most Important - February 15, 2022
- Getting Pregnant after 35 – You CAN do it! - February 1, 2022
- Fertility Testing for Men and Couples Decoded - January 29, 2022
