Countless Health Benefits of Omega-3
The two essential fatty acids that you hear a lot about in the news are omega-3 and omega-6. The Standard American Diet contains adequate amounts of omega 6 fatty acids, but is sadly deficient in omega-3s. Health benefits of omega-3 are found mainly in seafood and plant foods like flax oil, soybeans, and walnuts. These powerful fats have numerous health benefits for individuals in all stages of life including:
Omega-3s Help Your Heart
Omega-3s stabilize the buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries, preventing hardening of arteries and subsequent rising blood pressure. These flexible fats accomplish this by relaxing blood vessels and speeding blood flow. People enjoying the health benefits of omega-3 tend to have lower resting heart rates and therefore healthier hearts.
Omega-3s Build Smarter Brains and Better Moods
By improving the structural components of the cell membrane, the health benefits of omega-3 help the functioning of brain tissue and consequently build better brain cells. They also promote cell growth in the hippocampus and help prevent depression. They boost dopamine receptors to combat stress hormones and feed high-need cells of the retina to improve vision.
The Omega-3 Effect During Pregnancy and Your Child’s Infancy
Cytokines are proinflammatory, protective biochemicals that build up during the final trimester of a woman’s pregnancy. While cytokines are good for the immune system, they can produce abnormalities in sleep and energy levels. High levels of omega 3s help women achieve equilibrium and balance cytokine levels during their pregnancy.
Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between breastfeeding and a child’s IQ. Mothers who increase their omega 3 intake have a higher amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their breast milk, which builds IQ-boosting DHA in babies’ brain tissue.
How Omega-3s Help You Lose Weight and Keep You Young
Most people think of oil as unhealthy, but omega-3 oils are among the healthiest foods in the world. Unlike omega-6 oils, the kind found in factory-processed foods which lead to high blood pressure and high blood sugar, the health benefits of omega-3 oils reduce the complications of obesity and curb the upsurge in inflammation-causing chemicals.
The health benefits of omega-3 also do an excellent job of combating ailments of aging, including a weak immune system, joint stiffness, and frail bones. This can be partially attributed to their ability to preserve the length of telomeres which protect the ends of chromosomes and gradually shorten as one ages. Telomeres tend to be longer in seniors who have incorporated omega 3s into their diets, and omega 3s can even increase the percentage of telomere-lengthening enzymes.
