Why Are Omega-3s Useful?

Author: Leticia Celentano Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

Omega-3s are a type of fat. Perhaps it would be superfluous to mention them so often if they were not a kind of fat without which the human body can not. It is already popular that ...

Omega-3s are a type of fat. Perhaps it would be superfluous to mention them so often if they were not a type of fat without which the human body can not. It is already popular that these polyunsaturated fatty acids are found mainly in fish, and in fatty species. But in addition to it, omega-3s are found, albeit in limited quantities, in nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Omega-3s are vital because they are a building block of the cell membrane. In addition, adequate intake reduces the symptoms of high blood pressure, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and joint problems.

Omega-6s are also essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, they mainly support the skin and the ability of the blood to clot. They are found in eggs, chicken and vegetable oils - sunflower, corn, margarine.

While with omega-3 we could hardly load our body, with omega-6 this is possible, and a larger amount increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The negative effect of omega-6 is regulated - with omega-3.

According to the results of the latest studies, the health ratio between these two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids is achieved with one part omega-3 for every two to four parts omega-6. Unfortunately, in our daily diet we take 1 part omega-3 to 10 parts omega-6! This reveals a really real possible cause for the development of heart disease, which requires special attention to the amount of omega-3 that we take and take care to increase the consumption of food source.

Although the healthy acid ratio is clear, experts are still hesitant about the recommended amount per day, which is due to the specific ingredients of omega-3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the recommended daily amount of EPA is between 300-500 mg, ALA - 800-1000 mg.

Why Are Omega-3s Useful?

Related Articles