Why Do I Need Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

A very good question, and to answer, you first have to know exactly what Omega 3 is.

Omega-3 oils are the lubricating fluids of your joints, the balancing fluids of your heart, skin and pancreas, the force for the battle against cancers and the fluid to keep the brain tuned.

Omega 3 oils or oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil, algae oil and flax seed oil. The long chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in the greatest abundance in fish and fish oil but also in some other foods as well, play a key role as components of cellular membranes.

Fish is still the best source, but because of pollution, the best way to get omega 3 fatty acids from fish is to take a fish oil supplement that's been purified.

Adding foods containing omega 3 fatty acids may also be inefficient, since fish is the only identified natural source of both DHA and EPA. This has led to many natural health experts to advocate purified fish oils first and foremost as the best source of all foods containing omega 3.

You asked the question, Why do I need Omega-3 fatty acids?

While the research is still in its preliminary stages, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has already decided to allow the following qualified health claim on foods containing Omega-3 acids: "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Exact omega 3 requirements are unknown, but the Food and Drug Administration, which usually has very little to say about health supplements other than basic vitamins and minerals, recognizes a reduced risk of heart disease as a “qualified” health claim and recommends omega 3 fatty acid intake.

It would be safe to say the benefits of a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids can have a profound effect on human health and wellness.

While the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids can be noticed on many levels, the biggest breakthroughs documented have occurred in improved mental functions and health.

Lastly, the fish oil supplement should contain both DHA and EPA fatty acids in order to provide optimum health benefits. The bottom line is, Omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect the brain, which is why many physicians recommend taking an omega-3 supplement, usually fish oil because of it's high concentration of readily absorbed dha and epa (flax and other sources have to be converted in the body instead of being directly assimilated).

In addition, you should know that not all fish sources are equally high in the two most important types of omega 3 fatty acids, called DHA and EPA. Both fish and flax seed are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids, but fish is the better source.

Discover the purified fish oils made from deep, cold water fish, high in DHA and EPA.

Tom O'Connor is a leading researcher on the health benefits of Omega-3. Please click on: for more information.