What omega-3 fatty acid does to your body?
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| What omega-3 fatty acid does to your body? |
13 Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | Health blog |
Omega-3 fatty acid supplement has gained worldwide traction due to it's amazing health benefits. It is an essential fatty acid which our body can not make on it's own so we have to get it from our diet. It's time you know what it really does to your body.
1. Protects your Heart & Blood vessels
Omega-3 fatty acid lowers serum triglycerides level. Triglyceride is a type of lipid associated the hardening of arterial wall referred to as "atherosclerosis" and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
Omega-3 fatty acid also has anticoagulant property. Although this will prevent potentially fatal blood clot from forming, caution should be taken. It has found out that taking omega-3 in very high doses, like 15 grams per day, increases risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
2. Weight loss
Taking omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid has been shown to promote weight loss in obese individual. Omega-3 promotes loss of abdominal (visceral) fat.
3. Cancer
Combining omega-3 supplementation with chemotherapy decreases unwanted side effect while improving the individual's response to the treatment. It helps cancer patient receiving chemotherapy to maintain their muscle mass. A study by Laviano, Rianda, Molfino, et al., concludes that "combination of chemotherapy and omega-3 supplementation appears an effective strategy to enhance the clinical outcome of cancer patients in their curative and palliative clinical trajectory."
Whether or not omega-3 can prevent cancer is unclear. Some studies shows that omega-3 prevents tumor growth while other studies shows it doesn't prevent cancer. In fact, studies has shown that that high levels of omega-3 is associated with increased risk prostate cancer.
4. Boost cognitive performance
A study by Bauer, Hughes, Rowsell, et al. has shown that taking omega-3 supplement within just 30 days significantly improves cognitive ability of young adults.
5. Protects your brain
Omega-3 fatty acid has anti-inflammatory property which helps reduce neurodegeneration associated with aging. This is beneficial in preserving cognitive function among the older population and those diagnosed with mental deterioration such as Alzheimer's disease.
6. Psychiatric health
Although further research is still needed, omega-3 has shown positive effect in those individuals suffering from schizophrenia, ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
7. Psoriasis
Topical application of skin ointment containing omega-3 fatty acid has been shown to reduce itchiness, lesions, and skin redness in those people suffering from psoriasis.
8. Autoimmune diseases
Omega-3 fatty acid's anti-inflammatory property benefits those with autoimmune diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis.
9. Migraine
With regard to omega-3 fatty acid's benefit among migraine sufferers, there are conflicting findings. There are studies that shows omega-3 intake (like fish oil) results to reduction of migraine symptoms. Other studies have shown no positive result in taking omega-3 fatty acid for headache.
10. Helps with Depression
Studies has shown that taking omega-3 fatty acid helps manage and prevent depression, although the exact mechanism of it's action is unknown.
11. Protects your eyes
Omega-3 protects your eye's retina from damaging effect factors such as light, and inflammation.
12. Dry eyes syndrome
Omega-3 fatty acid is also a home remedy for dry eyes syndrome.
13. Fetal development
Omega-3 fatty acid is important for the crucial development of a baby's nervous system.
Note: Currently, studies have conflicting finding as to whether or not omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid prevents cardiovascular diseases. But it's undeniable that your body still needs this essential fatty acid to be able to function normally.
Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4153275/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133503/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24470182
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15907142
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23299701
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828934/
