Omega 3's - Essential Fats or Fiction?

Benefits of Omega 3

The benefits of Omega 3 are broad, benefiting not just healthy adults, but pregnant women, children and those suffering with all kinds of illnesses.

Benefits of Omega 3 in Adults:

• Omega 3 rich oily fish is called “brain food”, because Omega 3 is a building block essential for developing cell membranes, signal pathways and other neurological systems.
   
• It’s a primary component of your retina, and helps maintain good eyesight.
   
• We also benefit from Omega 3s recently discovered protective qualities against Alzheimer’s disease, as well as its effects on reducing heart and cardiovascular disease, decreasing arrhythmia, blood clots and triglyceride levels, lowering blood pressure and improving arterial health.
   
• If you are on a low fat diet it is even more important to benefit from Omega 3. Being a “good fat”, Omega 3 will be instrumental in ensuring a high enough absorption level of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, needed for resistance against infection, healthy skin, eyes, heart, circulation, blood clotting and strong bones.

Benefits of Omega 3 in Pregnancy:

• Omega 3 is as crucial in the healthy physical and mental development in babies, as it is in adults.
   
• Whether planning a baby, pregnant or breast feeding, some research has shown that with the mother having the recommended amounts of Omega 3, babies develop faster than those whose mothers who do not.

Benefits of Omega 3 in Children:

• Increasing the intake of Omega 3 can benefit those with dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia.
   
• Omega 3 is also thought to have a significant effect on reading skills too.  My daughter is living proof of this.  As she suffers with dypraxia, I decided it would be wise to give it a go.  She recently jumped from a 2C in reading to a 2A last week in her SATs.  Her mood and memory has also improved dramatically.

The purity of Omega's is essential in order for them to be beneficial and non toxic.  Advanced Nutrition Programme's Omegas have undergone a 5 step purification to ensure they are pure and free from harmful and carcinogenic PCB's which may be present in cheaper high street alternatives.
As the saying goes... 'you get what you pay for!'
The best form of Omegas is obviously from your diet but if you are not eating 3-4 portions a week you are unlikely to be getting enough and supplementing extra is recommended.
Best sources are mackerel, organic salmon, sardines and herring.