The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are incredibly important. They have many powerful health benefits for your body and brain. The 'essential' fatty acids were given their name when researchers found that they are essential to normal growth of young children and animals.
A number of recent studies have provided evidence highlighting the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. These two omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and fish oil supplements, but also in vegan supplements such as algae-derived oil.
Diabetic neuropathy, pain in the extremities caused by nerve damage, is a known complication that accompanies diabetes. However, people who do not suffer from diabetes but consume a lot of omega-6 fats can also develop this nerve pain. The same fat imbalance also contributes to pain caused by arthritis, trauma, and surgery. This can be prevented by eating more omega-3 fatty acids and less omega-6 fatty acids.
People who suffer from migraines can significantly reduce their pain and its frequency by reducing the intake of omega-6 fatty acids and increasing anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. With this change in diet, a number of patients have successfully reduced the use of anti-migraine drugs.
An analysis that involved 149,000 people found that taking supplements with EPA fatty acids reduced the chances of a heart attack, the need for heart surgery, and deaths caused by heart disease.
Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids predict a healthier life. This is information of the well-known, decades-long Framingham Heart Study, on which many of today's heart health guidelines are based. The researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood are important for health assessments as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and the presence or absence of diabetes
Omega-3 supplements may help prevent and treat depression and anxiety. EPA seems to be the most effective at fighting depression.
