Omega-3 fatty acids are said to be essential fatty acids and your body cannot produce them on its own. They are also known as n-3 fatty acids and are believed to be one of the vital nutrients to stay healthy. Omega-3 fatty acid is classified into three parts that are Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are belongs to polyunsaturated kind of fatty acids and plays a significant role in performing different functions. As this essential fatty acid cannot produce by your body, you totally need to depend on foods rich in these acids. Sea animals and plants contain an abundant source of these fatty acids. They are known as essential and your body is not unable to synthesize them. They are vital for your body as they help you to overcome large number of health disorders. Research has revealed that daily consumption at least 2-4 gm of these omega-3 fatty acids is vital in order to fulfill the nutritional requirement. Almost all fish oils contain high concentration of these essential fatty acids. Vegetarian sources contain rich sources of ALA form of essential fatty acids. When ALA is consumed, is converted into EPA and DHA form of essential fatty acids. One fact always considers that out of three types only ALA is obtained from plants. Health benefits of ALA are lesser as compared with other both forms of essential fatty acids.
SOURCES OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
If you include the list of foods mentioned below in your regimen may help you to obtain rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and to fight against numerous health disorders.
Fish and fish oil:-
Salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies, saridines, tuna, king mackerel and snapper are contains large quantity of omega-3 fatty acids. Hence include these fish in you regimen.
Seeds:-
Flaxseed, linseed, hemp seed, sesame seeds and leafy vegetable are other rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Meat and Eggs:-
Eggs, corn, soybeans, flax, canola seeds, chicken, beef, lamb and kangaroo meat also holds high amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts:-
Nuts such as butternuts, pecan nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts include an excellent source of these essential fatty acids.
REMARKABLE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
- Omega-3 fatty acids provides host of health benefits and keeps several disorders at bay which are listed below:
- It is believed that, omega-3 fatty acid is highly effective in order to get rid of bipolar disorder. In addition, it is also linked with reducing mania and depression in juvenile bipolar disorder.
- One study has disclosed that oral fish oil supplementation is not only useful in rheumatoid arthritis but also among some asthmatics patient as well.
- Fish oil plays an important role in improving lipid profiles, tubular dysfunction and oxidative stress with IgA nephropathy (kidney disease).
- Dietary supplementation along with flaxseed oil is necessary since it lowers blood pressure in dyslipdaemic patients greatly.
- It promotes healthy heart and combats various cardiac diseases. Besides that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is beneficial in reducing total mortality and sudden death among patient who are suffering from heart attack.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for reducing the total mortality and sudden death among patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
- Studies indicate that moderate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids helps in reducing coronary heart disease. In addition, it is also beneficial in preventing atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass surgery.
- Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D supplementation helps significantly in reducing calcium scores and slowed plaque growth. Besides that, it is known to have therapeutic effect in children with ADHD.
- This essential fatty acid is also considered to be effective for the treatment of children with autism.
- Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is effective in reducing homocysteine level among patients suffering from diabetes. Apart from that, this essential nutrient is also responsible for improving macro and microvascular function in patient with type-2 diabetes.
- It greatly improves endothelial function in peripheral arterial disease.
- Fish oil is known to have beneficial effect on blood viscosity in patient with peripheral vascular disease.
- The omega-3 fatty acids plays a key role in reducing risk of peripheral arterial disease linked with smoking.
- Research has showed that 8 month of treatment of omega-e fatty acid has help in reducing inflammation in patient affected with cystic fibrosis.
- DHA form of fatty acids helps in enhancing resistance to pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
- High amount of consumption of omega-3 fatty acids helps in reducing risk of pneumonia.
- Diet rich in omega-3 fatty acid and olive oil and low in trans-unsaturated fats significantly helps in reducing risk of age related macular degeneration.
- EPA supplementation is known to have therapeutic value which helps to get relief from chronic hepatitis C.
- Diet rich in EPA and DHA form of fatty acids is known to have an inhibitory effect on breast cancer growth as well as metastasis.
- Intake of omega-3 fatty acids diet reduces risk of CHD and total mortality among women with diabetes. Apart from that it is believed to be useful as fluoxetine (Prozac) helps with the aim to treat major depressive disorder.
- Omega -3 fatty acid is vital to prevent and reserve insulin resistance. In addition, it prevents the formation of urinary calcium oxalate stone formation. It helps to get rid of bronchial asthma among children.
- Omega-3 fatty acid is essential in order to prevent early premature birth in both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.
- The therapeutic properties of this essential fatty acid are believed to be effective in treatment of dry eye syndrome.
- Consumption of fish is responsible for reducing risk of ischemic stroke among men and elderly individuals.
- Moderate consumption of EPA and DHA is vital in order to delay cognitive decline among senior citizens.
- One study has shown that intake of fish is associated with 63 percent reduction in prostate cancer.
- Intake of this essential fatty acid is vital since it reduces the severity of autoimmune disorders.
- Omega-3 fatty acid is highly beneficial for smokers as well as it protect them against obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).