Skip to main content

7 HEALTH BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS


Omega-3 fatty acids which are polyunsaturated fatty acids with a double bond at third from the end of the chain.  

They are essential fatty acids because they are needed by the body but can't be synthesized (manufactured) by the body.


Omega-3 fatty acids are of many benefits to the body. They( omega-3 fatty acids) play important role in the proper functioning of the brain, as well as normal growth and development. 

Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lowe r risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease,arthritis, and cancer.


Some of health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids include:


(1) Heart disease


Eating diets low in saturated fats and diets rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (including omega-3 fatty acids) is one of best ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.  

Clinical evidence suggests that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)and docosahexaenoic acid, (DHA) these two  omega-3 fatty acids  found in fish oil help reduce risk for heart disease, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. 


Marine fish oil which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to lower levels of triglycerides (fats in the blood), and to lower the risk of death, heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heart rhythms in people who have already had a heart attack. 


Fish oil also appears to help prevent and treat atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by slowing the development of plaque and blood clots, which can clog arteries. 

Large population studies suggest that getting omega-3 fatty acids in the diet, primarily from fish, helps protect against stroke caused by plaque buildup and blood clots in the arteries that lead to the brain. 

Eating at least two servings of fish per week can reduce the risk of stroke by as much as 50%.


However, high doses of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding. 


People who eat more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day (equivalent to 3 servings of fish per day) may have higher risk for hemorrhagic stroke, a potentially fatal type of stroke in which an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures.


(2) Diabetes

People with diabetes often have high triglyceride and low HDL(high density lipoprotein) levels. 

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help lower triglycerides and apoproteins (markers of diabetes), and raise HDL, so eating foods or taking fish oil supplements may help people with diabetes. 

Another type of omega-3 fatty acid, alpha- linolenic acid (ALA) (from flaxseed, for example) may not have the same benefit as fish oil. 

Some people with diabetes can’t efficiently convert ALA to a form of omega-3 fatty acids that the body can use.

Also, some people with type 2 diabetes may have slight increases in fasting blood sugar when taking fish oil, so talk to your doctor to see if fish oil is right for you.


(3)Prostate cancer


Population based studies of groups of men suggest that a low fat diet and including omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil in diets help prevent the development of prostate cancer.


(4)High cholesterol


Several studies have shown that fish oil supplements reduce triglyceride levels. 

Walnuts  (which are rich in alpha linolenic acid or ALA, which converts to omega-3s in the body) have been reported to lower total cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol levels.


(5) Arthritis


Various studies have found that fish oil
supplements EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)and DHA(docosahexaenoic acid) significantly reduced
stiffness and joint pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 


They also seem to enhance the efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs.


(6)Depression levels


Researchers have found that people eating foods with high levels of
omega-3s have lower levels of depression. 

Fish oil also seems to increase the effects of antidepressants
and help reduce mood swings. 

Also, omega-3 fatty acids can help boost your memory.


(7)Ageing


According to researchers, taking
enough omega-3 fatty acid supplements could slow a key biological process linked to ageing.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Health Benefits of Sweet Melon

Sweet melon ( Cucumis melon ) Sweet melon also known as honeydew or honeymelon is one among the fruits cultivated and consumed largely in Northern Nigeria. Sweet melon though not extremely sweet as one may think, is really delicious fruit packed with numerous nutrients. A 100 g of sweet melon can provide the body with a whole essential nutrients. Sweet melon have a lot of health benefits some of which include: 1. Prevent Cancer: Nutrients like vitamin C,  Vitamin A,  beta- carotene, and bioflavonoids which are antioxidants occur in significant amount in sweet melon. These nutrients, due to their anti-oxidative properties can help in eliminating or neutralizing free radicals which can cause cancer. 2.  Improve Heart Health: Sweet melon contains significant amount of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and choline all which support heart health. Potassium acts as a vasodilator (can cause dilation of blood vessels) hence consumption of potassium-rich foods like sweet m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT), A Clinical Use of Maggot

"Nothing is really useless, and nothing is really too useful" - Emmanuel Okoli Advancements in the field science and technology is really moving at a high speed. The field of medical sciences is not left out. There are a lot of advancements in the medical field due to the surge in diseases such cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Due to these advancements, many unconventional treatment methods of diseases have evolved. Today, we are discuss one of such unconventional methods. Have you heard of Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT)? OK Let's... Go What is Maggot Debridement Therapy ? Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) is a clinical method for wound treatment (or healing) using maggots. It involves the introduction of live, disinfected maggots (fly larvae) into the non-healing skin and soft tissue wound(s) of a human or animal for the purpose of cleaning out the necrotic (dead) tissue within a wound (debridement) and disinfection. Note : Viewer d...
Read more

TYPHOID AND MALARIA: Their difference

In counties where self medication is still prevalent, signs and symptoms are usually used to identify diseases before drug prescriptions are made either by the individual or by their local untrained dispensers. In the case of prescribing drugs for typhoid challenges are encountered because the similarities between the symptoms of typhoid  and malaria. In this post the difference between typhoid and malaria will be clarified. 1.  The both have different causes. Typhoid is caused by  Salmonella typhi which is a Gram-negative bacterium. While malaria is caused by different species of protozoa belonging the genius Plasmodium   such as  P. falciparum,  P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. 2.  The both have different means of transmission. Typhoid is transmitted by consumption of foods and water contaminated with feces of infected person. While malaria is transmitted by  bites from female Anopheles mosquito which is its vector. 3.  The...
Post a Comment
Read more