Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fatty acids primarily found inmarine animals and plants.Unlike saturated fats, omega-3s are associated with a wide range of health benefits. They've beenhelpful in the treatmentof many different diseases and can evenhelp preventcancer.
Read more:Make Your Heart Happy With Omega-3s
Video of the Day
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are short-chain and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are sometimes referred to simply as PUFAs. These beneficial fatty acids can be found in marine plant and animal sources, meaning that the omega-3 supplements you may be taking are made offish oil or algae oil.
There are three main PUFAs that you consume when taking omega-3 supplements: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Omega-3 supplements typically focus, however, on EPA and DHA. The amounts of these can vary a great deal from manufacturer to manufacturer and among supplement types.
A typical fish oil supplementprovides about 1,000 milligrams of fish oil, containing 180 milligrams of EPA and 120 milligrams of DHA, but extra-strength variants can be as high as 504 milligrams of EPA and 378 milligrams of DHA for each1,400-milligram fish oil capsule.
Why Take Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are not the only omega fatty acids we consume in our daily diets. Omega-6 fatty acids are also important. However, while many people consume the right amount of omega-6, they tend to be deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. If you think you may not be getting enoughomega-3 from the food you're eating, you may want to consider taking supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with a wide range of health benefits. Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help:
- Preventcancer.This includes breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer.
- Prevent and treatcardiovascular issues, including arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, heart attacks and high blood pressure.
- Treatdiabetesand possibly reduce insulin resistance.
- Treatdigestive system disorders, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Treatinflammatory and rheumatological diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Treatneurological and neuropsychological conditions, including depression andbipolar disorder.
- Treatrespiratory diseases, including asthma.
- Promoteweight loss.
- Reduce therisk of eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
- Reduce therisk of premature birthsand improve infant development.
Best Time to Take Omega-3
没有啊,开展的科学研究n the best time to take omega-3 supplements. One of the well-known and very unpopular side effects of these supplements may, however, be reason enough to take them at bedtime.
As a marine-source-derived supplement, omega-3s create thefrequent side effectof recurring "fishy breath" andindigestion. If you've experienced this side effect or are concerned about experiencing it, consider bedtime the best time for your omega-3s. This makes it less likely that you'll notice the problem.
- Solgar: Triple Strength Omega 3 Softgels
- NIH: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Lipid Technology: Dietary Sources, Current Intakes, and Nutritional Role of Omega-3 Docosapentaenoic Acid
- International and Community Nutrition Commons: Omega-3 Benefits
- BMJ: Postgraduate Medical Journal: Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Comprehensive Review of Their Role in Health and Disease
- Annals of Clinical Psychiatry: Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Psychiatry
- Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics: The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
- Journal of Clinical Psychiatry: A Meta-Analytic Review of Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressant Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Health and Disease and in Growth and Development