Omega-3 is well known to promote a healthy heart. However, aside from promoting heart health, it has many other health benefits for the body. It actually helps in easing osteoarthritis pain, protection of the heart, reduce premature signs of aging, enhance memory and even burn fats among others.
Fats may have a negative image among people, but there is one fat that you don't want to cut off your diet, Omega 3. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential nutrients for health. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, there are two types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA); and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
ALA can be found in vegetable oils, such as soybean, rapeseed or canola, flaxseed, and walnuts while EPA and DHA can be found in fatty fish.
Omega 3 helps in promoting a healthy heart by lowering the levels of triglycerides in the body. High levels of triglycerides predispose the person to various forms of heart disease.
It also helps in easing osteoarthritis pain. In fact, according to a study from University of Bristol, omega 3 dramatically reduces pain from inflammation of the joints. In the 2011 study, they found out that omega 3 in fish oil significantly reduced signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.
In addition, another study in 2003 from the Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, stated that fish oil aids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Fish oil helps prevent the emergence of premature signs of aging. Omega 3 was shown to help protect the body from aging. Researchers from the Ohio State University found out that fish oil supplements slow the body's aging process by lengthening talomeres, which are parts of the DNA in cells that shorten as one gets older. Hence, it can reduce physical manifestations of aging such as wrinkles and other age-related diseases as reported by Prevention Online Magazine.
Lastly, it helps burn fats and boost memory. The DHA content of omega 3 helps make the body more sensitive to insulin. Furthermore, EPA has anti-inflammatory effects and both have fat burning effects. Chatelaine also reported that omega 3 helps in boosting memory and prevention of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Other surprising benefits of omega 3 as reported by Green Med Info entail its effects in reducing bipolar symptoms, reducing mania and depression, lowering blood pressure, reducing risk for sudden cardiac death, preventing ADHD and, treating autism in children among others.