The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Fish Oils
A reader asked for info about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and how to increase the fish oils in his diet. Here’s a list of those health benefits, plus several ways to get more omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils.
By the way, I recently wrote an article for Health magazine about keeping your brain healthy as you age — it’s scheduled for the September, 2009 issue. Because of what I learned from the brain health experts I interviewed, I now take a fish oil (DHA) supplement every day! Below are a couple links to fish oil supplements.
“Being called a ‘fathead’ is okay because 60% of your brain is fat, and 50% of that should be DHA,” says Michael Roizen, MD, coauthor of YOU: The Owner’s Manual and cofounder of RealAge, Inc. “Maximizing your intake of DHA, the omega-3 fat that is a building block of the brain, will support brain development and brain health throughout life.”
For more info about body and brain health, click on YOU: The Owner’s Manual — which Dr Roizen wrote with Dr Mehmet Oz. And read on for the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and easy ways to get more fish oil in your diet…
The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Fish Oils — Especially DHA
To learn about about the capsule source of DHA, click the bottle of healthy, yummy fish oil.
- Improved brain health and repair (read 10 Brain Fitness Tips to Reduce Memory Loss for more brain info)
- Protection against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
- Lowered risk of age-related eye disease
- Less depression
- Improves heart health by reducing arterial inflammation
- Decreases loss of brain neurons
- Less memory loss
- Reduced risk of advanced prostrate cancer
The health benefits of DHA omega-3 from fortified foods, supplements, and fish rich in DHA also improves myelin sheath repair in your brain. Dr Roizen says, “Myelin sheaths are the casings surrounding nerves that help the nerves decrease inflammation and facilitate fast messages – or a “quick” brain.”
DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that helps build the brain, decrease inflammation, and speed recovery of injured brain cell membranes. DHA is the only omega-3 shown to provide brain, eye and heart health benefits, says Dr Roizen.
The World Health Organization recommends an intake of 220 mg of DHA per day for healthy adults, but research shows that the average North American takes in less than 100 mg of DHA per day. Dr Roizen makes sure he gets enough omega-3 fatty acids by taking 600 mg of Life’s DHA a day as a supplement.
How to Get More Fish Oils in Your Diet
You’ll find DHA in salmon or trout (these are the only fish sold in America that consistently have “fish fat” -the others are apparently fed such that their fats are not omega-3 any more-a big change in the last five years) and DHA-fortified foods. Dr Roizen suggests looking for foods and beverages that have the life’s DHA logo to ensure you’re getting a pure, plant-derived source of DHA.
DHA Fortified Foods
- Juice
- Milk
- Eggs
- Tortillas
- Yogurt
- Baby formula
Also – the Mediterranean Diet is high in omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils. For more info, read The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet Plan. You might also enjoy 7 Anti-Aging Tips – Keys to a Long, Healthy Life!
Dr Roizen says, “While we aren’t sure of all the mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils, we are sure of the health benefits: less age-related memory loss, less Alzheimer’s disease, less depression, and a quicker mind.”
If you have any questions or thoughts on the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oils, please comment below!
For more info on brain health from Dr Michael Roizen, visit Life’s DHA Index of Brain Health.
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