Omega3 Supplements

Omega 3 is a good fat found in oil-rich fish and some plant oils, is polyunsaturated fatty acids that are not only beneficial for health but are essential in the diet.

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats, some fatty acids can be made by the body, and others can’t. The essential fatty acids are vital acid that the body must need to maintain proper health; they can’t be made by the body, so a dietary supply is needed.

Essential fatty acids of Omega 3

Omega 3 fatty acids families of essential fatty acids are,

• ALA (alpha linolenic acid). 
• The most effective omega 3s are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

The body can able to convert ALA to EPA and DHA, the way it converts is inadequate. So oil rich fish are such an important source of EPA and DHA.

DHA and EPA are long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, Oil rich fish are the one significant source of long chain omega 3 fatty acids.

Importance of long chain omega 3

• Long-chain omega 3 fatty acids are important for normal growth and development,
• Required to maintain cardiovascular health and brain function.
• Needed for the normal function of the eyes, nervous system, kidney, and liver, in fact all body systems.
• Functional benefits include the contraction of muscles and the dilation or constriction of blood vessels, blood clotting, and inflammatory processes.

Plant sources of essential fatty acids (ALA) means needs conversion to the longer chain fats, DHA and EPA. The process is not efficient therefore possibly require an additional quantity of omega 3 to maintain optimum intakes.

Omega 3 supplements helps people with high cholesterol to prevent high cholesterol risks by raising HDL good cholesterol and lowering LDL bad cholesterol. Also it helps to lower total cholesterol level.

Sources of omega 3 fatty acids

• Animal sources: Salmon (cod liver oil), trout, mackerel, sardines, pilchards, herring, kipper, eel and whitebait.
• Plant sources: flax seeds and walnuts are excellent food sources of omega 3 fatty acids.

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