The Benefits of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids

Omega 3 Essential Fats

Omega 3 essential fatty acids include

Alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) from flaxseed oil
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish, fish oil and some algae.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids have many health benefits including providing protecting against heart disease, autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, cancer and other inflammatory problems as well as improving brain function and aiding in depression.

With Omega 3 oil, ALA gets converted to EPA and then DHA by the body; however this process is dependent on the body having all the required nutrients for this conversion (including Vitamin B3, B6, C, Magnesium and Zinc). Thus taking Omega 3 oils in the form of EPA and DHA can be a much more direct and efficient way of enjoying the Omega 3 health benefits.

Taking Omega 3 Oils in the form of EPA and DHA can be a
Much more direct and Efficient way of enjoying the
Omega 3 Health Benefits.

Essential fatty acids are a part of our nerve cells, cell walls and most importantly prostaglandins (a group of hormones that act as chemical mediators and have extensive regulatory functions in the body). There are many types of prostaglandins and some are more beneficial than others.

Series 2 Prostaglandins (Bad)

Series 2 prostaglandins play a role in swelling and inflammation and also regulate platelet formation and clotting. These functions are vital, but in excess they can cause many harmful effects such as excessive platelet adhesiveness that can contribute to hardening of the arteries and cardiovascular disease. This is why series 2 are often seen as “bad” Prostaglandins. The body makes these types of prostaglandins from Omega 6 oils.

Series 3 Good Prostaglandins (Good)

Series 3 prostaglandins are seen as “good” because they prevent platelet adhesiveness, enhance blood flow and decrease excessive inflammation in the body.

The body converts EPA to good prostaglandins. So by increasing your consumption of Omega 3 essential fats you can increase production of good prostaglandins and beneficially regulate platelet formation and inflammatory responses in the body.

By Increasing your consumption of Omega 3 Essential Fats you can increase production of Good Prostaglandins

Omega 6 & 3 Balance

If you have high levels of Omega 6 (which are relatively easy to obtain in a normal healthy diet from many vegetable and seed oils) and not enough Omega 3 to balance it, your body will produce bad prostaglandins.

If there is enough Omega 3 to balance the Omega 6 then your body will produce more good prostaglandins. A Normal healthy ratio is 4 Omega 6:1 Omega 3. A typical western diet has a ratio of 15 Omega 6: 1 Omega 3! ( and lots of inflammatory conditions ) .Therefore supplementing with Omega 3 essential fatty acids is important.

Benefits of DHA

DHA (made from Omega 3 oils) also has many health benefits. DHA is required for normal brain development in the foetus and in infants as well as for normal healthy functioning of the adult brain. Low DHA levels have been linked to Alzheimer’s and patients suffering from severe depression have been found to have low DHA levels. DHA also has anti-inflammatory and blood thinning effects and has been shown to lower blood triglyceride levels.

Research shows that fish get their EPA and DHA by feeding on algae rich in these oils, so this makes algae a very good vegetarian source for Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Another benefit of an algal form of EPA & DHA is that because it is cultivated in a controlled environment, it does not have the potential health risks of heavy metal contamination that fish oil has today.