Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Question Is, What is Omega 3 Good For?

By John Collins

Omega 3 is the name given to polyunsaturated fatty acids which are generally considered to be 'good' fats. These fats are of three types: DHA, EPA and ALA. Fish oil is the primary source of these fats. So, the question is: what is omega 3 good for?

There is a lot of information available on this topic. To make it short, let's list down some of the main benefits of these fats and then decide whether it's important to intake thesefatty acids on a regular basis or not.

1. Promotion of heart health: The first and foremost benefit of consuming such fats on a regular basis is that these fats promote heart health. For those who ask what is omega 3 good for, the answer is simple: it prevents coronary heart disease, lowers triglyceride and bad cholesterol levels in the body and cures other problems related to the heart.

2. Prevention of degenerative diseases: A major benefit of such fats has been seen in the context of preventing degenerative diseases like cancer, particularly colon, breast and prostate cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

3. Relief in inflammatory conditions and skin problems: This particular fat has been found to provide relief in inflammatory conditions like arthritis, cystitis and prostatitis. It has also been discovered that these fats, particularly EPA reduces inflammation throughout the body and is also good for the cure of acne and other skin problems.

4. Treatment of depression and anxiety: Many psychological illnesses including depression and anxiety are caused due to a deficiency of DHA in the body. These conditions can be cured by consuming fatty acids in large amounts. Other illnesses that come under this category include bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, and memory loss.

5. Prevention of birth defects and miscarriages: Studies have shown that pregnant women require a lot of good fats to be consumed through diet and nutritional supplements. This is because DHA is required for proper development of the baby's brain and it also ensures proper nerve transmission and oversees many functions of the body. The good fats prevent birth defects, deformities in infants and miscarriages. Pregnant and lactating women are repeatedly advised by their doctors to increase their intake of the essential fatty acids.

These benefits and many others that have not been mentioned here tell us what is omega 3 good for. You should start consuming these type of fats on a regular basis to gain these benefits and to remain fit and healthy.

John Collins is a content editor who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. His latest website - Natural Dha Fish Oil focuses on omega 3 as a whole, and in particular, a natural product our editors personally use with excellent health results known as - Dha Esters

Be sure to check out our Omega 3 Dha Esters of choice, it is the natural supplement we use and recommend to friends and family, and have done for over 3 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Collins

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