ChaCha Knows about Omega-3


I was careening down the highway with my high school son in the passenger’s seat yesterday. To entertain ourselves on a longish drive we decided to ask ChaCha some questions.  That’s right, ChaCha.com will answer any question for free.  What is the molecular formula for propane? What does the pagan symbol the green man mean?
 Who is Katy Perry dating?  It was quite entertaining, especially trying to think of funny questions like, “Would you like to hang out sometime.”  Apparently my son had already tried that one.  You’ll never guess the question I suggested that shut the whole game down and put my son right to sleep with a pillow smashed up against the glass.  It’s a question I don’t mind sharing so that you can use it to excuse yourself from a tiresome conversation or social gathering.  Here goes, “Why do I need to eat more omega-3 oil?”

HELPS YOUR HEART
You laugh?  Looking for a pillow?  Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts then.  “Symptoms of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency include fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation.” (1)  Last week we focused on the brain cells, but the heart is also directly affected by our consumption or deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids.
-Omega 3 fatty acids reduce triglycerides by 20-50%.  These fat molecules in the blood are directly related to heart disease and untreated diabetes. (2)
-“Though not all researchers agree, some investigators believe that fish oil may be even more effective in reducing death from heart attacks than a group of commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs called ‘statins.’ “ (2)

DAILY DOSAGE
The USDA recommends up to 3 grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids.  There could be some side effects for some people,  so allowing a doctor to recommend a safe dosage for you is the most prudent way to go. Other than eating fresh fish* or taking a fish oil supplement, there are a few vegetarian options as well;  walnuts, walnut oil, flax meal or flax oil, green vegetables like kale,  spinach and most other greens and Brussel sprouts. 

QUALITY MEANS EVERYTHING
Quality means everything with these fatty acids because they are often stripped of their nutrient qualities during the extraction and refining process when exposed to heat, light, and chemical residue.
Look for capsules or liquid which are designated
• Modified expeller pressed
• Refrigerated
• No-light black bottles
• Expiration date
• Organic

BTW, it now comes in some delicious flavors which are good even outside of a fruit shake!

molly's avatar

Molly

(Barlean’s brand is one company which meets the above requirements.)
*One caution about fish oil supplements comes from the Mayo Clinic. “ Fish meat may contain methylmercury and caution is warranted in young children and pregnant/breastfeeding women.” (3) Our own Doctor in the Doctor’s Corner advises us to look for the desigation “molecularly distilled” fish oil in order to avoid this contamination of mercury that goes from the ocean water into the flesh of the fish who lived there.

(1) http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
(2) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/993.html
(3)  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil/NS_patient-fishoil