Omega 3 Fatty Acids  

Fat is often considered a bad part of our diet. There is a general idea that fat may cause an increase in blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is linked to heart attacks and strokes. What you may not know is that there are both good and bad fats. Among the good kind, omega three fatty acids are certainly some of the most popular. Note that these are essential fatty acids.

The consumption of omega 3 fatty acids has been associated with several potential benefits in the human body. Unfortunately, there are quite a few people who fail to get enough of these fatty acids in their daily diet. The body needs to get omega 3s from external sources. When you do not get enough omega 3 fatty acids, your body may suffer certain complications. We look at what these fatty acids are and why you should consider increasing your intake of them.

What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?

Omega 3s are fatty acids present in all areas of the human body. Every cell in your body contains omega 3 fatty acids – these fatty acids make up some components in the membranes that surround your cells.

There are different types of omega 3 fatty acids that your body needs. The three most important ones that we should note here include:

·       ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid

·       EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid

·       DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid

Among these three, DHA plays a significant role in certain cells – particularly those that make up sperm, as well as cells in the brain and retina of the eyes.

The consumption of omega 3 fatty acids also helps to give your body energy. This is because these fatty acids contain calories – and your body needs enough calories to produce energy.

Functions Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids In Your Body

As we have noted, omega 3 fatty acids are found in sperm cells, brain cells, and even the cells that make up your retinas. These fatty acids actually play several other roles in your body too. When there is a sufficient amount of omega 3 fatty acids in your body, then they help contribute to improved functioning of the following body parts:

·       Blood vessels

·       Immune system

·       Endocrine system

·       Heart

·       Lungs

In fact, the omega 3 fatty acids you consume each day play a critical role in allowing the heart and lungs to function properly. They help the glands that make up the endocrine system produce the right hormones, and they ensure cholesterol is kept at a minimum for better blood vessel health.

Signs Of Omega 3 Fatty Acid Deficiency

A deficiency of omega 3 fatty acids means problems can develop with cell membranes. We already noted that omega 3s are essential components of these membranes. Additionally, a deficiency in these compounds can also become a problem in other areas of your body – your heart, lungs, blood vessels, and the glands in your endocrine system rely on omega 3 fatty acids.

There are some symptoms that people may experience when they do not have enough omega 3 fatty acids in their bodies. The symptoms tend to differ between people, but be on the lookout for these signs:

·       Poor energy levels

·       Sleep quality may suffer

·       You could experience fatigue

·       Concentration problems are rather common

·       You may also notice problems with attention and memory

·       Your skin may become dry

·       Hair may also become dry

·       It is possible for nails to become brittle too

·       Some people experience mood changes, such as mood swings and irritability

·       Joint discomfort is another potential sign to look out for

Best Sources Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

There are actually quite a few different ways to ensure you obtain enough omega 3 fatty acids each day. It is important to note that both plant-based and animal-based sources of these fatty acids exist. At the same time, do note that DHA, one of the most important forms of omega 3 fatty acids, can only be found in certain fish. This is why you will need to ensure you consume an appropriate supplement if you are a vegetarian or vegan.

Your body can convert some plant-derived omega 3s to DHA, but the effect is very minimal. With this in mind, simply consuming APA omega 3 fatty acids will not help to provide a proper level of DHA.

The best sources of omega 3 fatty acids that include a better diversity of these compounds include:

·       Salmon

·       Sardines

·       Mackerel

If you are following a vegan lifestyle or prefer a vegetarian diet, then you will need to consider plant-based sources of omega 3 fatty acids. These generally include:

·       Chia seeds

·       Walnuts

·       Flaxseeds

·       Canola oil

·       Soybeans        

Testing For Omega 3 Fatty Acid Levels

If you find that you experience signs of an omega 3 deficiency, then getting tested is a good option. An omega-3 index can be taken to help you determine the levels of these fatty acids currently in your body.

The preferred result for an Omega-3 Index test is for the total omega-3 content to be higher than 8%. When your results come back between 4% and 8%, it means you are at intermediate risk for heart disease and other complications. High-risk patients have an index lower than 4%.

What is your Omega 3 Index Score?

Testing for omega 3 fatty acids is not included with a regular health checkup. Still, if you do not ensure you get enough of these fatty acids in your diet, you are making it more difficult for your body to keep blood cholesterol levels low. You also miss out on the other benefits that omega 3 fatty acids bring.

At Medicine Center Pharmacy, we give you an opportunity to determine how much omega 3 fatty acids are currently present in your body. This helps you understand whether or not you should consider increasing your intake of these fatty acids. Our procedure to test for omega 3 fatty acids is simple, affordable, and does not hurt.

References

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/

https://omegavia.com/deficiency-symptoms/

https://omegaquant.com/what-is-the-omega-3-index/