Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential component of good health and are the only fats that the body doesn’t naturally produce. They can be found in a variety of foods – the best sources being fish and other seafood, nuts (especially walnuts), flaxseed, flaxseed oil, and dark, leafy greens. 

Omega-3 fats are important for the body as they are a component of cell membranes that affect the function of cell receptors. 

They also contribute to making hormones that regulate blood clotting, the contraction and relaxation of arteries, and inflammation. The benefits of omega-3 fats include the prevention of heart disease and stroke, the potential to control lupus, eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis, and the possible protection against cancer and other conditions. 

They even influence the hormone that signals your brain that you’re full and to stop eating. So, on top of everything else, THIS kind of fat is also important for weight loss.

Most people tend to get enough omega-6 fats, another essential fat, but not enough omega-3s. It is also important to balance the source of omega-3 fats between marine and plant-based sources. 

So how can you ensure that you are getting enough of the beneficial omega-3 fats as well as from the right sources? What sources should be prioritized over others? Salmon and halibut, for example, have far more omega-3s than shrimp and lobster and so, choosing the best food sources is a key component. 

Having a good and sustainable source of omega-3s is a crucial part of a healthy diet and lifestyle from heart to hormones. 

Essentially, the cells can’t do what they need to without the support from omega-3s. If you have an omega-3 deficiency, you might notice dry skin, lack of coordination, impaired vision, joint pain, allergic reactions, difficulty in learning, concentrating or remembering, tingling in the arms or legs, difficulty losing weight, and even high blood pressure or cholesterol.

In order to be proactive and preventative about your health, supplementation is a part of the equation. Unfortunately, supplementing with food alone is not enough due to the lack of nutritional value in our processed, dead, and overcooked foods. Paying attention to the source of the product as well as what we do to it is critical. 

Take tuna as an example, there is a drastic difference in omega-3s between a fresh albacore tuna and a canned skipjack. The quality and source of your foods determines their efficacy as well as their efficiency. 

When choosing additional supplementation, it is equally important to determine their quality and source. 

Finding something that you can easily access and that fits within your budget is another factor in order for supplementation to be sustainable. This is something that you will want to take every day for life. This is not to say that you want to find the cheapest supplement as price and quality often go hand in hand. Consider it an investment in your health and a part of your body’s “insurance plan”.  The omega-3 supplements I recommend can be found here.

When I learned about all the benefits of omega-3 I asked myself “Why WOULDN’T I take an omega-3 supplement every single day?” My answer was I would, and I do. If it inhibits the formation of blood clots, and blood clots cause both heart attacks and strokes, why wouldn’t I deliberately CHOOSE to take an omega-3 supplement every day for life?  

With an increase in your intake of foods high in omega-3s as well as an additional omega-3 supplement to make up for where foods lack, you will be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle where you will look and feel better for longer.