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Omega-3 fatty acids Are they good for you?
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining good health. By including omega-3-rich foods in your diet or taking supplements, you can support heart health, brain function, joint health, and more. Make omega-3 fatty acids a priority in your diet for overall well-being.
Omega-3 fatty acids are present in foods and dietary supplements.
ALA is present mainly in vegetable oils, such as:
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds, and
- Walnuts
DHA and EPA are mainly present in cold-water fatty fish, such as:
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Herring, and
- Sardines
Small amounts of ALA can be converted by a person's body into DHA and EPA.
What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fats are good fats that our bodies need but can't make by themselves.
There are three main kinds of omega-3 fats:
- ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)
- DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), and
- EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids can be present in various foods, including:
Fatty fish:
Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring are rich sources of DHA and EPA.
Plant sources:
Flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and walnuts contain ALA, which can be converted into DHA and EPA in the body.
Supplements:
Omega-3 supplements, like fish oil capsules or algae oil supplements, are available for those who may not get enough omega-3s from their diet.
Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The following are some benefits of omega-3 fatty acids they are:
- Depression and anxiety
- Blood fat
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Improve Eye Health
- Asthma
- Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia
- May Fight Autoimmune Diseases
Depression And Anxiety:
Supplementing omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce and relieve depression and anxiety. EPA appears to be the most effective in fighting depression.
Blood Fat:
Fish oil pills can lower high triglyceride levels, these can raise your chances of heart disease and stroke.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Fish oil supplements (EPA + DHA) can reduce joint stiffness and pain. Omega-3 supplements also appear to increase the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory medications.
Improve Eye Health:
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is an important structural component of the eye's retinas. It can help prevent macular degeneration, which can cause vision problems and blindness.
Asthma:
A diet rich in omega-3s reduces inflammation, a key component in asthma. But we need more research to see if fish oil pills make lungs work better or help people need less medicine for their condition.
Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia:
Some studies say omega-3s might guard against Alzheimer's and memory loss that comes with getting older, but we're not totally sure yet.
May Fight Autoimmune Diseases:
Omega-3 fatty acids can help fight various autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis.
Incorporating Omega-3 Fatty Acids into Your Diet:
To get more omega-3s, try eating these foods:
Mackerel (4,107 mg per serving):
Mackerel is a small, fatty fish. Mackerel is incredibly nutrient-dense - a 3.5 oz (100 gram) serving contains 200% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin B12 and 100% selenium, these fish are delicious and require little preparation.
Salmon (4,123 mg per serving):
- Salmon is one of the world's most nutrient-dense plants.
- It's packed with high-quality protein and a wide range of nutrients, including significant levels of vitamin D, selenium, and B vitamins.
- Eating fatty fish like salmon often can lower your risk of dementia, heart disease, and depression.
Cod Liver Oil (2,682 mg per serving):
- Cod liver oil is like a supplement rather than food. It's made from the liver of cod fish.
- This oil has lots of omega-3 fats, plus heaps of vitamins D and A.
- Just one tablespoon gives you 170% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin D and 453% for vitamin A.
Flax Seeds (2,350 mg per serving):
- Flax seeds are tiny brown or yellow seeds that can be ground up or used to make oil.
- They're one of the best sources of omega-3 fats called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), so people often use flaxseed oil as an omega-3 supplement.
- Flax seeds also have fiber, magnesium, and other good stuff. Compared to other oily plant seeds, they have a great balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fats.
Chia Seeds (5,060 mg per serving):
- Chia seeds are really healthy, packed with manganese, selenium, magnesium, and more good stuff.
- Just one ounce has 5 grams of protein with all the essential amino acids.
Walnuts (2,570 mg per serving):
- Walnuts are super healthy and full of fibre. They're also packed with copper, manganese, vitamin E, and special plant stuff.
- Don't peel off the skin because it has lots of antioxidants that are good for you.
Soybeans (1,241 mg per serving):
- Soy is a great source of fibre and plant protein. It's also packed with other good stuff like riboflavin, folate, vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium.
- However, it contains a lot of omega-6 fatty acids, which some scientists think might cause inflammation if you eat too much.
Risk factors of Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
The following are the side effects of omega-3 supplements, which are usually mild and can include:
The ODS notes that if a person is taking blood thinners, which are drugs that prevent the blood from clotting, taking high doses of omega-3 supplements can lead to bleeding problems.
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Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Omega-3s are super important for your diet, and fish oil pills can provide a bunch of health benefits.
Omega-3s generally produce only mild side effects, if any. There is conflicting evidence about whether omega-3s might influence prostate cancer risk.
Eating omega fatty acids is good for your hair because they're full of nutrients and protein. When you take omega supplements with antioxidants, it can make your hair thicker and stronger from the inside.
Omega-3 fatty acids are great for folks aiming to shed some pounds, but too much can have the opposite effect. As you already know, fish oil is high in fat and also high in calories, therefore, too much can increase your metabolic weight.
Omega-3s in enriched eggs can vary widely, ranging from 100 to 500 mg per egg. The top brand of omega-3 eggs says it has about 125 mg of omega-3s in each egg.
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