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What Is Omega-3 Used For?

What Is Omega-3 Used For?

Article Highlights

  • What is Omega-3?
  • Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT DISEASE.

To understand what the health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are, first we need to have a brief understanding of how exactly Omega-3s function in our bodies. Let’s start with a simple question, what is Omega-3 used for? Omega-3s are fatty acids that are stored in our bodies’ cell membranes, the walls of a cell that separate it from the outside environment. Once within the cell membrane, Omega-3s play a number of roles. They help the cell to remain stable, ensure fluidity, and also act as a gate-keeper. They help regulate what comes into and out of the cell.1 Omega-3s are also converted into prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like molecules with a short life span that help to regulate cell activity on a moment to moment basis. These prostaglandins are primarily responsible for regulating inflammation and blood clotting, two very important functions. The ability of Omega-3s to control inflammation plays a crucial role in a number of their health benefits.

It’s important to note that Omega-3s are often referred to as essential fatty acids.

This means that they are essential for proper human health, but they cannot be made in the body itself.2 They must be ingested and brought into the body. Two types of Omega-3s, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found most often in seafood. The third Omega-3, Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is found primarily in vegetable oil and nuts, flax seeds and oil, leafy vegetables, and some animal fat. ALA is the most common Omega-3 in Western diets. For that reason, many people take supplements like MegaRed® Advanced 4in1 500mg in order to bolster their intake of the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Heart: One of the main health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids occurs in relation to the heart. Omega-3s may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease* and are clinically shown to support cardiovascular health.

Joints:

Omega-3s promote and support joint health.

Brain:

There is a high density of Omega-3s in the brain and they appear to play a role in both cognitive and behavioral functions.7

Eyes:

DHA is found in heavy concentration in the retina, and therefore, Omega-3s are important in supporting eye health.

As you can see, there are a number of Health Benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats play a crucial role in a number of different bodily functions, and they offer a number of benefits when found at the correct levels in the body. Talk with your doctor today about the possible effects of Omega-3s on your health.  

 



1http://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/omega-3-fatty-acids/#essential-fatty-acids-pathways

 

2 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/omega-3-fats/ 

 

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