Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel and have been proven to provide a whole range of health benefits.

You can now see a wide variety of products ranging from cereal to yogurts. But exactly what are the benefits of a diet rich with these acids and what should you watch out for?

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week. According to the AHA fatty fish such as mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of fatty acids. These are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). You can also get these acids from vegetable sources such as pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.

Why Are These Acids So Beneficial to Health?

Research has shown that they can:

• Decrease risk of irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which can lead to sudden cardiac death

• Decrease levels of triglyceride (the fat which has been linked to heart disease)

• Reduce potential blood clots

• Decrease growth rate of the fatty plaques

• Reduce blood pressure

New research has even shown that these fatty acids can reduce the risks of certain cancers particularly prostate and skin cancer.

Research involving children has shown that increased levels of these fatty acids can help children concentrate better and improve behaviors such as hyperactivity.

Overall, it looks as these acids can have great health benefits; particularly the fats found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel.

However, new studies have shown that too high consumption of oily fish may cause other health risks. Contaminants and mercury levels are at an all time high in these types of fish and may cause damage, particularly to pregnant women and young children.

It is recommended that pregnant women, nursing women and children not consume more than two small portions of oily fish per week. Certain types of fish such as mackerel, swordfish and shark contain higher levels of mercury than salmon or tuna.

With all the controversy it’s difficult to know whether you should or shouldn’t consume oily fish. So far it looks as though the health benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids outweigh any associated risks, when consumed in moderation and according to guidelines.

Omega 3 is one of the most important Health advancements of our time. Click in and learn what all the excitement is about. Omega 3 will increase your health.

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