Fat Free, the Fast Track to Disease
Fats have a myriad of beneficial roles. The risk for sudden cardiac death is reduced by up to 90% in individuals with the highest HS-Omega-3 Index, or those who have healthy fats, and there is growing evidence for an association between omega-3 biostatus and other conditions such as cellular aging, dry eye, macular degeneration, dementia, depression, joint health, etc.
Most Americans do not get enough omega-3′s from their diets, and differences in age, weight, sex, diet, lifestyle habits, metabolism, and absorption make it impossible to accurately predict anyone’s omega-3 status. We are even taught that fats are bad. The only way to know for sure is to measure omega-3s and make sure you know how to improve your fat intake through different dietary components.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that our body needs but cannot produce on its own. They are important for maintaining good health and have been linked to many health benefits throughout life1. Some of the benefits include reducing levels of triglycerides2, relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis2, playing an integral role in cell membrane function and development of the brain and eyes3, and being associated with fetal development, cardiovascular function, and Alzheimer’s disease1.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in some foods and are added to some fortified foods1. You can get adequate amounts of omega-3s by eating a variety of foods, including fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines), nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts), and plant oils (such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil)2.
If you don’t get enough Omega-3s, it’s one of the easier things to supplement- as long as you use a good quality supplement. For this ingredient particularly you want to make sure it’s well sourced to avoid additives. Some sources of Omega-3s could contain mercury- particularly if you get the Omega-3s through some natural fish sources. Luckily, a good Omega-e supplement is unlikely to contain mercury. “Interestingly, analyses of several nonprescription fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) supplements for the presence of mercury found that of all the brands tested, none of them contained mercury and may even be safer than eating fish1. 1”
A safe brand of Omega-3 is the Progressive brand:
High Potent Mediterranean Diet & Fish Oil Formula
- Delivers 600 mg EPA and 260 mg of DHA per Softgel
- 50 mg of Arthricor Olive Leaf Extract
- Enteric-Coated Softgel for Direct Delivery to Intestinal Tract
- Exclusive Patented Lipid Absorption Technology
- Delivers 300% Greater Absorption of EPA and DHA
- Every Fish Oil Batch is IFOS 5 Star Certified
- Non-GMO, Antibiotic Free and Certified Sustainable
- Manufactured in FDA compliant facilities
- Professional Strength Formula
- Physician Grade and Science Backed