Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the essential fats, which means that we have to consume Omega-3 fatty acids with food because our body cannot produce them ourselves. Let’s find out the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids.
What and how we eat has a significant impact on our health. A balanced diet includes certain amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in many areas of the human body. Before we discuss the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, let’s take a look at what they are specifically needed for.
The valuable fatty acids are needed almost everywhere in the body like
- The Production Of Hormones
- Protein Synthesis
- Cell Metabolism
- Supplying The Joints With Lubricant
- Avoiding Inflammation
- The Moisture And Elasticity Of Skin And Hair
- The Formation Of The Body’s Own Defense Cells
- Protection Against Infectious Diseases
Here are the most important benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. You will see that it is extremely worthwhile for every person to optimize their diet so that sufficient omega-3 fatty acids are absorbed.
We have listed a few benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids. Let’s take a look.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids protect the heart
Omega-3 fatty acids have been suspected to be important for cardiovascular functions for a long time, but whether this was actually the case was also doubted for a long time. However, new studies are now confirming that omega-3 fatty acids work equally at different levels to protect or restore cardiovascular health.
Researchers have found that a dietary supplement with omega-3 fatty acids:
- Lowers blood lipid levels
- Reduced blood sugar levels
- Relieves inflammation in the body
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces blood clotting and thus the tendency to thrombosis
- Improves the flow properties of the blood
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death across the globe. All of these properties immediately reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases through regular intake of sufficient omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids prevent dementia
Cardiovascular diseases, but also cell aging, can lead to memory loss and even dementia in the course of life. Omega-3 fatty acids help here not only through their positive effects on the cardiovascular system but also by protecting the genetic information in the cells.
The telomeres that protect the DNA in the cells disintegrate with time. However, omega-3 fatty acids can counteract this process. With a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the body, the shortening of the telomeres can be prevented, thus preventing the development of dementia.
3. Omega-3 fatty acids prevent thrombosis
A fish-rich diet and the associated high levels of omega-3 in the blood can prevent thrombosis. Thromboses form when the veins are no longer able to expand and contract according to the blood flow. With omega-3, the risk of thrombosis decreased by almost half.
This happens because of the improvement of the flow properties of the blood, the reduction in the tendency to clot, and the reduction of chronic inflammation, which also affects the blood vessels and can impair their functioning.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids for ADHD
Many children have difficulty in concentrating. Children who consume omega-3 fatty acids as part of the daily diet are able to concentrate better and up to seventy percent more receptive. In the case of ADHD or concentration or learning disorders, along with a nutrient-rich diet from fresh food, a diet with omega-3 fatty acids is part of the holistic therapy for affected children.
5. Omega-3 fatty acids relieve inflammation
Diseases such as arthritis, ulcerative colitis, periodontitis, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, tinnitus, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis are associated with chronic inflammatory processes. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in various ways by bringing the hormone system back to balance, normalizing the metabolism and strengthening the immune system.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids protect the eyes
Dry macular degeneration is an eye disease in which those affected, gradually go blind. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play an important role in the development of this disease. A diet supplement with omega-3 fatty acids can not only stop the blindness process but also improve the eyesight significantly.
The ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 Fatty acids
The omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids ratio also seems to play an important role. An optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio would be around 4:1.
Even though the names sound similar, the effects are very different. While omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to health, omega-6 fatty acids, if consumed in excess, harm the body by narrowing vessels and promoting inflammation.
Also Read – What Are Nutrients? Functions of Nutrients in our Body.
Foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are chia seeds, walnuts, canola oil, spinach, egg, brussels sprouts, and milk. The closer you get to the above-mentioned omega-6-omega-3 ratio, the better you get the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.