Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The Good Kind of Fat!

For years health professionals have been yelling from the rooftops “go fish”! Fish has been called “brain food” for generations. We are finally beginning to understand why these slippery sea dwellers come so highly recommended. It’s the omega-3 content!

So what’s all the fuss about? In the early 1980s, studies described how northern Inuit tribes had low rates of heart disease despite their high-fat diet. It turns out their diet consisted mostly of fish that were high in omega 3 fatty acids that protected their heart. And that’s how the craze began…

If you were to ask folks what food group they should avoid, most will probably answer "fats." Sure, large amounts of certain types of fat are bad for your health (and girth), but there are some fats we simply can't live without.

Fats come in two categories – essential and non-essential fatty acids. You guessed it, omega 3 fatty acids found in fish are the essential type. Some experts, like Dr. Oz, believe that omega 3 fatty acids may be the most important supplement you could ever take.

Why are these omega 3 fatty acids so critical? The answer is in the health benefits and widespread deficiency found in America. Omega 3 fatty acids are involved in brain and heart functioning. As if those two organs aren’t convincing enough, omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may protect against cancer and diabetes too. Couple that with the fact that around 99% of Americans are deficient in essential omega 3 fatty acids and you can understand why these supplements have gotten so much attention.

From an evolutionary perspective it makes sense why our bodies rely so heavily on the omega 3 fatty acids. Recent research revealed the primate species that became intelligent and transformed into humans lived near coastal regions where large amounts of fish were consumed. The fish oil fed their brain, and intelligence is the name of the game for evolution. If these omega 3 fatty acid supplements stick around we may evolve into super humans!

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