Any health food store will have supplements that provide information on omega 3 nutrition on the product labels. What we really want to know is how much is accurate and what is exaggerated?
A recent study from Harvard University ranked omega 3 deficiencies as the number six killer in the US. Numbers 1,2,and 3 were tobacco, high cholesterol and obesity. Other fatal causes such as low polyunsaturated fatty acids, low fruits and vegetables intake and alcohol use ranked much lower.
There are over 12,000 studies on the benefits of omega 3. Solid evidence supports taking omega 3 for the heart, eyes, joints [Arthritis] and immune system. Let's discuss some of the actual information on omega 3 nutrition available.
First, there are eight fatty acids in the omega 3 group. The two that all the research points to are called DHA and EPA. These are what you get in cold water fatty fish like salmon, tuna or sardines. They are also what is found in fish oil supplements derived from these and other wild predatory fish.
These two fatty acids work together, but the body needs more of one or the other depending on which area we are looking at. For instance, 50% of our brains are made up of fats and half of that is DHA. It is also a major part of human breast milk. A recent statement by the European Food Safety Authority Panel said that " DHA levels of 100mg of per day were appropriate for 7-24 month-old infants along with 200mg per day for pregnant and lactating women." They were talking about better eye health but similar research has also discovered that young children benefit by having higher IQs, better co-ordination and increased cognition. Moms are less likely to have premature births and post partum depression.
The FDA has allowed DHA in baby formula for years but many parents just take a soft gel capsule, cut it in half and pour some of it in what ever the child will eat. This method is more nutritious, not to mention that the child also needs the EPA.
Teenagers are less likely to suffer from depression and violent behavior say numerous studies dating back to 2002.
Professor Michael Crawford, director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at London Metropolitan University added that the link between diet and aggressive behavior "makes sense on the basis of evidence of links between major depression, suicide and homicide reported by Dr Joseph Hibbeln at the National Institutes of Health in the USA and of course our stuff demonstrating the absolute dependence of the brain on the long chain essential fatty acids."
I could keep on citing studies on dozens of more benefits but the most exciting recent research is suggesting that the omega 3s in fish oil may actually slow our aging process. A recent University of California, San Francisco study confirmed previous research. Higher blood levels of EPA and DHA, corresponded to slower cellular aging.
One more important bit of information on omega 3 nutrition. If your diet is typical, you will not be getting enough of these essential fats. This is why people use supplementation. Focus your research is this direction. My website can help in this area.
Author Resource:
Get my free five-part mini course on the benefits of omega 3, including critical information on why you should take omega3 fish oil .
To sign up for the course and get more tips on the importance of omega 3, visit my website: http://www.omega-3-guide.com/
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