If you've been paying attention to the news lately, you've
probably heard you should be consuming Omega 3s for their numerous
health benefits. Peer-reviewed medical journals have exploded with
quality research over the last 20 years supporting Omega 3 benefits
for your body that include:
- Heart Health
Think of how many Americans suffer from coronary heart disease.
This is a big deal.
- Healthy Triglyceride Levels
American Heart Association reported Omega 3 intake can reduce
triglyceride levels.
- Joint, Bone and Muscle Health
Got joint pain? Omega 3s can reduce inflammatory chemicals and
reduce pain.
- Skin and Hair
Have red blotchy skin/pimples? Try Omega 3 fats for
anti-inflammatory effects.
- Emotional/Mental Health
Our brain is 60% fat. Think the right kind of fats are important?
Yup! You are what you eat!
- Brain Function
ADD child? Try Omega 3 Supplements before seeking out
medication.
- Eye Health
- Healthy Blood Sugar Metabolism
Insulin out of control? Type 2 diabetic? Studies show effect in
controlling blood sugar.
Not bad, eh?
Why are Omega 3s so good for us?
For one, they are called ESSENTIAL fats, more specifically,
essential long chain unsaturated fats. Essential means the body
cannot produce them internally and thus rely on proper dietary
intake to utilize their numerous health benefits. Experts know the
importance of eating complete proteins because there are 10 (+1)
essential amino acids we need to eat (our body can't make them,
hence, essential) or our health would suffer. Fats are no
different. Unfortunately, only recently has the media realized that
not all fats are bad (or created equal if you like) and so many
people are just starting to realize the importance of getting these
ESSENTIAL FATS into our bodies on a DAILY BASIS to achieve optimal
health and longevity.
My team at Tri Games this past Friday!
Omega 6 & Omega 3
Each and every cell membrane in our bodies is made up of fats.
Our diet can decide whether we make cells with good fats
(anti-inflammatory) or bad fats (pro-inflammatory). You are what
you eat ring a bell? Earliest humans ate (and are designed to eat)
a dietary ratio of 1:1 of Omega 6 : Omega 3.
Over the last 100 years we humans have drastically gone away
from this opting for chips, wheat, dairy, and junk foods as
regularly consumed foods. This has catapulted our dietary intake of
Omega 6:3 fats to almost 20-30:1! Bad news bears. The problem with
too many Omega 6s is they are pro-inflammatory and get incorporated
into our cell membranes and lead to a cascade of problems including
the chronic inflammatory state.
If we want to reduce our risk of diseases associated with the
chronic inflammatory state such as heart disease, stroke, type 2
diabetes, obesity, some cancers, Alzheimer's (the list goes on),
then we must balance our intake. One way to do this therapeutically
is to increase Omega 3s such as those found in fish oils and flax
seed oils.
What are the best Omega 3s?
The most potent (and research proven) Omega 3s are called EPA
and DHA. They are easily the most beneficial and usable by the
body. They come from fish, which is a fantastic source if you can
get a wild-caught source free from factory farming and mercury.
Unfortunately, this is hard to find so our recommendations are to
get them through a high potency fish oil that is enteric coated so
you don't get fishy burps and so more gets through your stomach
acid to deliver a higher absorption to your small intestine.
How to read labels?
Marketing will be marketing and many companies just state the
amount of fish oil, which is very different from how much EPA &
DHA is in that oil. Make sure you find one that has a combined
EPA/DHA over 500mg. Take 2 a day for a month and see how you feel.
The worst that can happen is you don't feel it was worth $12 bucks.
The best is that you reduce your risk for chronic diseases, improve
your brain concentration, and your skin looks younger. I'd opt for
the personal experiment!
Cheers,
CC