Omega-3s are essential fatty acids, they are called essential because they have to be consumed from our diet and cannot be made by the body.
What is Omega-3?
Omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are naturally contained in oily fish like sardines, tuna and herring who in turn get their Omega-3s from plankton. The plankton in cold water has a higher concentration of Omega-3s than that in warm water hence why oily fish has high levels of Omega-3s as they live in colder seas.
Why take Omega-3s?
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to our body and serve a variety of functions with the main ones being:
- Helping cells to form
- Helping to transport oxygen throughout the body
- Supporting our red blood cells, enabling them to do their job properly.
Health benefits of Omega-3s
Omega-3s are proven to have a variety of health benefits including:
- With a daily intake of 250mg of DHA it has been shown to contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function.
- With a daily intake of 250mg of EPA and DHA it has been shown to support the normal function of the heart.
Beneficial during pregnancy
By taking at least 2 capsules per day (at least 200 mg DHA) while pregnant or lactating, the DHA intake has been proven to contribute to the normal brain and eye development of the foetus and breastfed infants.
Cognitive related studies
In recent times the effects of Omega-3 consumption on cognitive issues such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia, and aggression has been extensively researched.