Compelling Reasons To Stomach The Fish Breath
Omega-3 fatty acids have gained widespread attention for their remarkable impact on overall health and well-being. These essential fats, primarily found in fatty fish and certain plant sources like chia seeds and walnuts, play a crucial role in supporting heart health, brain function, eye health, and much more. Whether you’re looking to improve your mood, protect your vision, or reduce inflammation, omega-3s have you covered. Here are 20 amazing and surprising benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.
1. May Improve Depression & Anxiety
Research suggests that people who consume Omega-3 fatty acids regularly are less likely to have depression. What's more, Omega-3s may help reduce symptoms in people who already have depression and anxiety by reducing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
2. May Improve Eye Health
An omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) makes up 30 to 60 percent of the fatty acids in the retina. Regular consumption of omega-3s helps maintain the fluidity and integrity of the retinal cell membranes and reduces the risk of age-related vision loss.
3. Reduces Your Risk Of Heart Attack & Stroke
Research suggests that people who consume omega-3s regularly have lower rates of heart attacks and strokes. Omega-3s support your heart by preventing clots, lowering inflammation, and bolstering healthy blood vessels.
4. Supports Fetal Brain Development
The omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the foundational elements of the brain and nervous system. The fetus relies entirely on the mother's supply of omega-3s so it's doubly important for pregnant women to consume enough of them.
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5. Reduces Your Risk Of Alzheimer's
While they can't cure Alzheimer's, research suggests omega-3s can slow brain aging. The omega-3 known as DHA is what your neuron membranes are largely made of, so consuming plenty of omega-3s helps strengthen your neurons and protect them from damage that leads to neurodegeneration.
6. Improves Cognitive Function
Because much of your brain and nervous system is made up of omega-3s, they enhance your brain structure, function, and communication. They also support your brain's ability to form new neural connections.
7. Lowers Triglyceride Levels
Omega-3s are one of the most effective natural treatments for lowering triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease. They do this by inhibiting the enzymes involved in their production and boosting the activity of the enzyme that breaks them down.
8. Improves Cholesterol
Omega-3s raise HDL "good" cholesterol and remove the excess bad stuff (LDL) from the bloodstream, transporting it to the liver. Their effect on triglycerides also usually results in an improvement in the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio.
9. Reduces Blood Pressure
Another way omega-3s support your heart is by reducing blood pressure. They increase your body's production of nitric acid which helps your blood vessels relax, improving blood flow by reducing resistance in the arteries.
10. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is responsible for any number of diseases and ailments including Parkinson's, arthritis, and cancer. Omega-3s combat inflammation by blocking inflammatory chemicals and creating anti-inflammatory compounds.
11. May Reduce Symptoms Of ADHD In Children
Since omega-3 DHA is one of the key building blocks of the brain and nervous system, it can help improve symptoms of ADHD, especially in children with low amounts of omega-3 in their bloodstream. High DHA levels are linked with better attention and memory.
12. Strengthens Bones
Chronic inflammation leads to bone breakdown which can in turn lead to osteoporosis. Omega-3s help strengthen bones by helping your body absorb calcium, reducing inflammation, improving bone density, and supporting the bone-rebuilding processes.
13. Reduces Joint Pain
Most joint pain is caused by inflammation. By fighting inflammation, omega-3s help reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. They can also slow cartilage breakdown, helping to protect your joints.
14. Improves Skin Hydration
Omega-3s help improve your skin's hydration by reinforcing the lipid barrier that makes up the outermost layer of your skin, locking in moisture. Omega-3s can also increase the production of ceramides, fats that keep skin strong and hydrated, improving smoothness, softness, and elasticity.
15. May Improve Sleep
Omega-3s may improve your sleep by boosting melatonin production, the hormone that regulates your circadian rhythm. Higher levels of omega-3 have been linked with longer sleep duration, shorter fall-asleep time, and fewer sleep disturbances.
16. Reduces Risk Of Premature Birth
Because inflammation is a major contributor to early labor, the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory compounds in omega-3s can help prevent early contractions. Research shows that omega-3 supplementation reduces the risk of early preterm birth by 42 percent.
17. Boosts Immune Function
Another effect of omega-3s' inflammation modulation is that it boosts the immune system. Omega-3s support white blood cell function and enhance your body's ability to produce antibodies.
18. May Reduce Asthma In Children
Because asthma is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways, omega-3's anti-inflammatory properties can help kids with asthma manage their symptoms. Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy has been linked to better lung growth and lower risk of asthma in children.
19. Might Benefit Those With AutoimmDiseasesease
Autoimmune diseases include type 1 diabetes, arthritis, and lupus. In addition to reducing inflammation which plays a part in autoimmune disease, omega-3s promote immune regulation, help heal damaged tissues, and reduce pain.
20. May Help Prevent Cancer
Chronic inflammation is linked to the development of many types of cancer. Omega-3s reduce inflammation, improve immune system functioning, reduce oxidative stress, and inhibit tumor growth, all of which help reduce the risk of cancer.
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