Do You Eat Enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids?:

In light of recent studies, many doctors and health professionals have been recommending Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These studies have shown that these fatty acids can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease, improve blood lipid levels or cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of sudden death from a heart attack.

Just about everyone can benefit from the above mentioned uses for Omega-3 fatty acids. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, you can replace your current fat intake from meat products with fish or other alternatives.

Wait - isn't fat supposed to be bad for you? Fat in and of itself is not "bad." However, the fat needs to be the "right" kind of fat, and not the kind you find in junk food. Your body needs certain fats, and Omega-3 fatty acids fit this bill quite nicely.

What are Omega-3 fatty acids? Omega-3's are defined as polyunsaturated fatty acids. The key to their "good" nature is the fact that they are un-saturated. Saturated fat is very bad for your body and your waist line, while un-saturated fat is extremely beneficial for heart health and your internal organs.

There are many ways to increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, you may already be getting some if you are fond of seafood. Seafood is by far one of the richest deposits of Omega-3 fatty acids on the planet.

Foods such as sardines, halibut, salmon, herring, trout, shrimp, clams, light chunk tuna fish, cod and catfish are literal gold mines for Omega-3 fatty acids. You should try to include at least three servings a week for these foods, and more if possible.

If you don't like fish, or if you are worried about mercury levels in ocean-caught fish, there are still ways that you can get these necessary fats.

Foods like spinach, flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts all contain a good amount of Omega-3 fatty acids.

There are also several supplements on the market if the above prospects aren't appealing. While more studies are being conducted to further determine more benefits from Omega-3's, you can certainly get a jump on good health by adding a few servings a week to your dietary rotation.

If you have questions about Omega-3's or if you aren't sure that you can eat the above foods, it is a good idea to consult with your physician to learn more. They will be able to refer you to a certified nutritionist that will be able to help you add these essential fatty acids to your diet, and minimize any risks that you may be worried about.

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