Omega 3 & Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines, as well as in some plants, nuts and seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils bring a wide range of benefits to your mental and physical health, making them a great supplement choice.

What is omega-3?

Omega-3’s are essential fatty acids that play an important role in your body and have many health benefits. The three main omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). You can get these omega-3’s from different food sources, such as fish oil, nuts, seeds, plant oils and certain fortified foods.

What are the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids?

Even though your body doesn’t produce omega-3 fatty acids, they’re essential for a variety of functions and systems throughout your body. These essential fatty acids, which can be found in fish oil and other plant products, have many benefits, some of which we’ll break down for you here.

Eye health

The omega-3 fatty acid DHA forms a major part of the structure of the retinas in your eyes. If you don’t get enough DHA, you may start to develop eye problems. To keep your eyes healthy you should get enough DHA from oily fish, or a supplement like Solgar Triple Strength Omega-3 Softgels, which contain both EPA and DHA.

Heart health

The leading causes of death in the world are heart attacks and strokes, which is why it’s important to take care of your heart health. Omega-3 has been linked to many benefits for heart health, including:

• Reducing triglycerides
• Reducing blood pressure for people who have high blood pressure
• Increase good cholesterol (HDL)
• Prevent plaque from building up in your arteries
• Reduce the inflammatory response in your body

Taking an omega-3 supplement can help to promote a healthy heart but can’t prevent a heart attack or strokes. If you’re looking for an all-round supple, try Lindens Vegan Omega 3 6 9 capsules.

Mental health

Omega-3 fatty acids that you can find in fish oil have been linked to various mental health benefits. Some studies have shown that omega-3 might reduce the frequency of mood swings and may help decrease age-related mental decline.

Bone and joint health

There have been some studies that have linked omega-3 to improvements in bone strength by boosting the amount of calcium in your bones. This could potentially help to reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis. Also, some people who suffer from arthritis have claimed that taking an omega-3 supplement has reduced their joint pain. If you’re looking to buy omega-3 online, you could try Wild Nutrition Pure Strength Omega 3 Caps, which are free from contaminants such as PCBs and heavy metals.

What are DHA and EPA in fish oil?

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that you can find in fish oil. You can get them by eating a range of oily fish or, if you prefer, you can get your dose through omega-3 supplements. DHA and EPA are both essential, and have different benefits.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

DHA is a type of Omega-3 fatty acid that you can find in oily fish like salmon and mackerel. Your body only produces a very small amount of this omega-3 from other fatty acids, so you need to get the rest of it from your diet or a supplement. Even though most studies and research had been conducted on the benefits of both DHA and EPA together, there have been a few that have focussed only on DHA. Some evidence suggests that DHA may improve heart health and ADHD as well as flight inflammation in your body and help your muscles recover after exercise. It could even help to keep your eyes healthy and potentially lower your blood pressure. You can get all the benefits of DHA in Solgar’s Omega 3-6-9 Softgels.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

EPA is also an omega-3 fatty acid found in certain kinds of fish. EPA has been shown to lower triglycerides and may even help to prevent heart complications. It’s also been linked to lowering cholesterol and even boosting your mood. Many other benefits have been linked to this omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil, but more research is needed in this field.

Is it safe to take fish oil every day?

It’s considered safe for most people to take fish oil every day and it can be very beneficial for you, especially because your body doesn’t produce the essential omega-3 fatty acids found in it. It’s best to get omega-3s by eating certain kinds of fish and plants but, if you choose to take a supplement, you should aim to get 500mg of EPA and DHA combined each day. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or taking blood thinning medication, you should speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking any fish oil. If you’re looking for a fish oil that’s packed with omega-3s, you could try Lamberts Pure Fish Oil Capsules, which give you a full 360mg EPA and 240mg DHA.

Should you give children omega-3 fatty acids?

Yes: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for everyone’s growth, development and health – even children. Giving your children oily fish is the best way to ensure they get omega-3 fatty acids, but not all kids like fish, so this can sometimes be difficult. If you do decide to buy omega-3 supplements for your kids, you could try Lamberts Omega-3 For Kids Berry Bursts Capsules. They’re formulated for kids 3 years and over and provide DHA, EPA and vitamins A, C, D and E.