Despite being increasingly widespread as an ally of good health, some still do not know what omega 3 is for. This set of fatty acids is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Anyone looking for a healthier lifestyle can’t help but count on omega-3 to have more longevity and well-being. For you to know, its benefits are linked to disease prevention and a more functional body and mind.
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What Is Omega 3?
Omega 3 is polyunsaturated fat; that is, it is good. It is formed by a set of essential fatty acids for our body, but the body cannot produce them. It is for such a reason that we must consume the nutrients every day. Thus, we managed to maintain healthy indexes to obtain its benefits.
This nutrient is an integral part of the cell membrane in the body. In addition, part of the brain comprises one of the fatty acids that make up omega 3. Therefore, ingesting this substance is essential to maintain good cognitive abilities.
What Is Omega Three Used For?
The primary function of some fats is energy production. However, omega 3 is multifunctional. This means that it acts in many more processes in the body, for example, blood clotting, defense against external agents, and generation of hormones.
When talking about this nutrient, it is interesting to know other fats that are good for health and can act together with omega 3. See!
Omega 6
While omega 3 is a good anti-inflammatory, being very useful to prevent and fight inflammation, omega 6 is pro-inflammatory; that is, it favors this reaction. However, this does not mean that the nutrient is harmful to health.
Inflammation is part of the body’s defense system, but it starts to cause damage to the body from the moment it begins to act steadily, also known as chronic inflammation. So that this does not happen, omega three and omega six levels must be balanced. Thus, both promote a significant protective metabolic effect.
Sources of omega 6 — refined soy, corn, and canola oils, for example — are more prevalent in everyday consumption, so it’s common for an imbalance to occur. This is another reason to tip the scales by increasing your intake of foods abundant in omega-3s.
Omega 9
One of the differentials of omega 9 is that the body can produce it on its own. However, for it to be used throughout the body, it needs to be in the company of other fatty acids, such as omegas 3 and 6.
One of its primary functions is blood pressure control. Because of this, it plays a vital role in preventing heart disease, precisely by reducing triglyceride levels in the blood.
In addition, it is possible to find it in some foods, such as chestnuts, nuts, peanuts, olive oil, olives, and avocados. Therefore, a healthy diet rich in nutrients can guarantee the joint action of omegas 3, 6, and 9.
What Are The Benefits Of Omega 3?
After understanding what omega 3 is, what it is for, and what other types of fatty acids can help promote more health and well-being through food, the next step is to know the real advantages these nutrients provide to the body. Body. From now on, it is possible to highlight that the benefits are many! Check below what omega three can do for your health and well-being!
It Is A Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Remembering: inflammation is a defense reaction of the organism and is beneficial to a certain extent. The problem happens when it is constantly activated, as it stresses the body, causing various damages. That’s where omega 3 starts its natural anti-inflammatory function.
It reduces inflammation by helping the immune system to deactivate the inflammatory process and preventing the chronic condition. In addition, it helps minimize any other inflammatory process related to other illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, asthma, etc.
Helps In Slimming
One of the damages chronic inflammation brings to the body is being overweight. The frequent stress caused by this condition activates other harmful processes, one of which is the accumulation of body fat. Therefore, omega 3, as a natural anti-inflammatory, is a powerful ally in the fight against overweight and obesity.
In addition, it acts by accelerating the metabolism; that is, it causes the body to spend more calories to perform its functions. It may seem contradictory, but eating sources of good fats are necessary to burn the fat stored in the body.
It’s Good For The Brain
Part of our brain is made of one of the fatty acids in omega 3, DHA. In this way, consuming the nutrient properly makes the levels of this compound consistently favorable to the functioning of the organ. With this, cognitive functions – memory, concentration, and learning – can be enhanced and preserved.
Protect The Heart
You’ve probably heard that omega 3 is heart protective, and that’s no wonder. Its benefits in favor of the organ are several and very important. See some of them:
- helps stabilize heartbeat;
- assists in controlling blood pressure;
- reduces inflammation, fat accumulation, and clot formation in artery walls;
- prevents cardiovascular diseases;
- Decreases triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.
Helps In A Healthy Pregnancy
Consuming the recommended doses of omega 3 per day will also help to have a healthy pregnancy. The nutrient helps reduce cholesterol, cognitive development, the mother’s and baby’s immunity, and the risk of premature birth.
Treatment Of Diseases
The anti-inflammatory action of omega 3 helps recover various physical and mental health complications. Cardiovascular diseases, depression, asthma, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may have symptoms alleviated with regular nutrient consumption.
Also Read: What Is A Balanced Diet? How To Develop It?