The Benefits Of Omega 3

Omega 3s are part of a group of fats known as polyunsaturated

fatty Acids

Our bodies cant make omega 3s so we must get them from our
diets

The 3 most important types of Omega 3 fatty acids are ALA, EPA
and DHA, especially EPA and DHA

 Omega 3s are important because they form a fundamental part of our

cell membranes, and therefore ensure that our cell receptors work
properly

This means that without omega 3s our cells cannot communicate with
each other properly

Omega 3s also have a key role in how our genes express themselves, as
well as producing hormones that control blood clotting, inflammation
and the ability of our arteries to contract and relax, as well as affecting
the cholesterol profile of our blood

 This means Omega 3 affects a huge number of health factors in

our bodies

Research at Harvard has shown that insufficient Omega 3 is the

cause of up to 96,000 deaths a year in the USA alone

One of the major areas of Omega 3

benefits is heart health

 Omega 3s can stabilise heart arrhythmias, lower blood pressure and

heart rate, as well as improving the function of blood vessels in the heart

They can also lower triglyceride levels in the blood more effectively
than statins. Circulating levels of blood triglycerides have been
shown to be a major factor in the development of heart disease

They can also increase levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) and
increase the size of LDL particles (the bad cholesterol) to make them
less likely to get stuck in artery walls and cause atherosclerotic
legions

 An Italian study found that heart attack survivors who took fish oil
supplements subsequently had a much lower risk of another heart
attack, stroke, or death

Omega 3 and Inflammation

 Inflammation is one of the biggest threats to our health in todays

world of high stress, environmental pollution, and high processed
food diets

Inflammation is directly responsible for diseases like arthritis,

Chrons and ulcerative colitis, eczema, psoriasis, lupus and other
autoimmune conditions

Studies have shown that supplementation with high doses of

omega 3 fish oils can reduce inflammation, improve symptoms and
decrease the need for medication in these conditions

 Also as we develop our scientific understanding of disease, we are

finding correlations between inflammation and other chronic
diseases such as depression, cancer and dementia

Omega 3 and the Brain

EPA and DHA can increase cerebral blood flow and keep brain
dopamine levels high, which can have positive effects on mood and
the function of our brain

DHA is vital for synapse in the brain, allowing our brains to make new
connections that allow us to learn and form new behaviours patterns,
even in adulthood

 Low omega 3 levels have been linked to suicide and symptoms of

depression, and supplementing with omega 3 has been shown to
reverse this.

Omega 3 has also been

shown to reduce the risk
of developing dementia,
improve the symptoms of
early stage dementia, as
well as reducing the
inflammatory immune
response in the brain, and
so protecting brain cells
from damage

Omega 3 and Cancer

Studies have shown that omega 3 may be effective against some

forms of cancer

Research has shown that people with diets rich in EPA and DHA are
less likely to develop prostate cancer

 Higher EPA and DHA intake is also associated with a 25% reduction in
breast cancer

A recent study has also shown better treatment results for patients
with certain skin cancers that had higher omega 3 levels

Omega 3 Children, Learning and Behaviour

From the Womb to the second year of life a child goes through rapid
development of their brain, eyes and nervous system, which requires a
constant supply of omega 3, especially DHA

From pregnancy through to breastfeeding the child is completely

dependant on their mother for this vital supply of omega 3, so its really
important for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to make sure
they have a good intake of omega 3

 As the child develops, omega 3 has a significant impact on learning

and behaviour

Studies have shown that children with learning difficulties and ADHD
are more likely to have low levels of omega 3

Low levels of DHA have also been associated with poorer reading ability
and worse memory in school age children

 Also a recent study in the American Journal of Nutrition has shown

children aged from 3 -5 years performed better on tests of
Intelligence, rule learning and vocabulary when they were given omega
3 supplements

Omega 3 and Diabetes

Research into the causes of diabetes and our understanding of the
disease are increasing. Insulin sensitivity and inflammation are
now seen as big causal factors

Increasing evidence is showing that omega 3 supplementation can help

improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes

In some cases Insulin resistance has been reversed by omega 3

supplementation

Omega 3 and Exercise

 Omega 3 is fantastic for athletes, and anyone who is trying to keep fit

Omega 3 has been shown to increase blood flow to the muscles during
exercise, which can help to increase performance and reduce the build
up of lactic acid that leads to fatigue and cramping

Omega 3 also improves recovery from training and can reduce the
severity and duration of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)

 Omega 3 supplementation can also help to build muscle mass by

increasing insulin sensitivity, thus allowing more anabolic nutrients
into muscle cells and switching on the bodys muscle building
pathway known as mTor

For more information, or to see citations for the studies mentioned in

this presentation please visit this Intelligent Labs Link, and also for
great deals on high quality supplements just head to the Intelligent
Labs homepage.