Omega 3 Fatty Acid

Omega 3-oil has been touted to be helpful for treatment and even prevention of many conditions from heart disease to anxiety and depression.Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat. Small amounts are essential for good health and can be found in the food that we eat including nuts and seeds and fatty fish, such as salmon. In the body, this class of fats is needed for cells to operate, they are anti-inflammatory. It breaks down to become phospholipids that form the structures of cell membranes. Commonly ALA, EPA & DHA are the subtypes that have been studied, but there are more.

While there is a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)and Adequate Intake (AI), there is no established Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). Visit the NIH fact sheet on omega 3   and learn the AI for you. They are even suggested in cat and dog diets.

A series of human studies recently completed is changing the belief that omega 3 fish oil is a crucial supplement but rather the ingestion of foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids is what is beneficial. Also conflicting findings as regards the effect on cardiovascular disease.

Triglycerides seem to decrease rather consistently with an intake of omega 3. The American Heart Association recommends 2–4 g/day of EPA plus DHA under the care of a physician. Several prescription omega-3 preparations are also available to treat hypertriglyceridemia.

Check with your healthcare provider and get enough omega 3 from foods that your body needs.