About Omega’s

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are both considered to be entirely essential when it comes to good health. The key word is “essential” because our bodies cannot create it and therefore we must obtain it from our diets. Together, Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids play an important role in brain function, stimulating skin & hair growth, maintaining bone health & reproductive capability, and regulating metabolism. There are some differences between the two fatty acids that are important to understand, however.

Omega 3 fatty acids are considered good fats, while a high level of Omega 6 fatty acids can be hazardous to our health. Having the proper balance between both of these fatty acids is important if you want to maintain a healthy weight and for a number of other reasons I will explain shortly.

Unfortunately, today’s modern diet has result in an influx of Omega 6 fatty acids, and not nearly enough Omega 3 fatty acids. We tend to get the Omega 6 fatty acids from the various cooking oils and food processing ingredients. That is why doctors and scientists have declared it necessary for most people to supplement with Omega 3 to restore balance to the body.

It’s a sad fact, but the lack of Omega 3’s in our modern day diets has led to many negative effects. This imbalance has lead to problems including obesity, depression, heart disease, cancer, arthritis and even asthma.

Omega 3 Benefits

A huge mistake people make when they start dieting is thinking that they need to cut out all fats. Instead you should be trying to focus on adding foods that are high in Omega 3’s to your diet! Once again, these are essential to your health and the only way you can get them is by consuming them through your foods or supplements.

The good news is that studies show adding Omega 3 fatty acids to your diet is an excellent way to regain control over your blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and overall weight loss.

Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish, flaxseeds (or flaxseed oil), walnuts, soybeans, shrimp and scallops. There are two forms of these Omega 3’s, called EPA and DHA. These help regulate things like immune function, cell growth, and blood clotting.

This might catch your attention…There are many studies being done on how the balance of Omega 3 & 6 affects weight loss and the results are still coming in. However, it appears that a diet with a balance of these fatty acids helps ‘turn on’ the enzymes that increase your body’s metabolic rate and help you burn fat. I will make sure to keep you updated on new research as it becomes available.

Omega Side Effects

The key here is to make sure you have a diet that is balanced with these essential fatty acids. Always check with your doctor on interactions with other medicines that you may be taking.

If you decide to supplement make sure you choose a high quality product as some omega supplements have been found to use fish that are contaminated with toxins.

Conclusion

Since many studies have shown that American diets are extremely deficient in Omega 3’s, once again this backs up the idea of replacing processed foods with fresh fish, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and beans and legumes.

The benefits are numerous and may help you with depression, fatigue, dry and itchy skin, concentration, cardiovascular health, arthritis, asthma, plus metabolism and weight loss. Quite a few if you ask me!

After consulting with your physician, you may want to consider supplementing with a high quality Omega 3 product to reap all these benefits.

 

 

 

via Weight Loss & Training ift.tt/2haJ1sI