Omega 3 fatty acids are considered essential fats. This means that they are not produced by the body and must be taken in through your diet. They are important catalysts in many health concerns. As a matter of fact, pregnant mothers deficient in the fats can pass on future health problems, like vision and nerve issues, to their unborn babies. Omega 3 foods are just one of the ways to ensure you are getting enough of these fats to keep your heart, brain, and body functioning optimally.

Currently, there is evidence that Omega 3 foods and even Omega 3 supplements can assist with regulating heart health and brain function. According to several sources, the fats contribute to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lessened risk of heart disease, lower complications with diabetes, potential improvements in depression and memory loss, and even lessened symptoms of arthritis and skeletal diseases like osteoporosis.

Getting enough Omega 3 foods in your diet isn’t as difficult as you might think. The fats can be found in many easy to find foods. Take a look at this website for a list of some of the most Omega 3 rich foods available. Learning to incorporate the Omega 3 foods into your diet can be another trick. Having some good recipes at hand helps. Check out Martha Stewart’s list of Omega 3 recipes for some good ideas.

Lastly, if you are still concerned you can’t make the Omega 3 foods a regular part of your diet, consider supplementing with a product like Core Omega 3. This high quality Omega 3 supplement is sold right here on Extreme Body Workout. Check it out under the P90X Nutrition heading.

While there are a few theories as to why this occurs one major reason may be attributed to the fact Omega 3 fatty acids stimulate the hormone that makes you feel “full” called leptin. Either way it’s great news for those of us looking to shed excess weight! So how do you get Omega 3 fatty acids in the first place? Here is a small yet helpful list of good sources:

1.) Salmon

2.) Walnuts

3.) Soy Beans

Above and beyond, salmon is THE best source for Omega 3 fatty acids without a doubt. However it’s often difficult to eat enough fish to get you where you need to be. Not to mention some people are not into fish. If you’re looking to get Omega 3 into your system without the hassle you should really check out some fish oil supplements. Core Omega 3 is an outstanding choice. The supplement sources fish from the atlantic ocean and is guaranteed to be free of PCBs and heavy metal contaminants. Definitely worth a look for all of us dieters out there!

One of the most common Omega 3 side effects comes from taking fish oil supplements. This side effect is one of the few which is somewhat common though not very bad. Occasionally with some fish oil supplements you will experience a fishy aftertaste or have belches with a fishy flavor. Sounds gross right? Luckily you can find Omega 3 supplements with minimal fish flavor.

This article from WebMD outlines some of the Omega 3 side effects. It states Omega 3 side effects can include fishy taste, upset stomach, loose stools, and nausea.

Higher doses of Omega 3 supplements can result in more serious effects like an increase in bleeding. This far more scientific paper from the American Academy of Family Physicians on Omega 3 fatty acids details states that there are no documented cases of increased bleeding with the use of fish oil supplements, however.

Omega 3 side effects are typically a minor concern. For this reason, if you have any questions about the effects a supplement you should discuss those concerns with your physician. Becoming informed about side effects and indications of supplements is a healthy practice and one that more consumers should embrace.

Omega 3 depression studies like those discussed here at Health.com show a connection between increased fish consumption and decreased occurrence of disorders like bipolar and postpartum depression.

People who suffer from mood disorders know how debilitating they can be. Depression itself is far more serious than having the blues or simply being sad. It is a disease that totally transforms a person and their outlook on life. Suffering from depression leads to changes in behavior like extreme sleeping patterns, overeating or lack of appetite, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies. If Omega 3 depression studies are accurate, Omega 3 supplementation may be able to prevent these common symptoms of depression.

Depression is often treated with prescription medication and behavioral therapy. Often these two components are used in conjunction with one another although occasionally they can be used independently. Many people resist prescription medication for depression symptoms and Omega 3 depression studies could provide answers they may be interested in.

The connection between food and mood definitely exists. Because our bodies use food to fuel all of our functions, it only seems natural that some foods could positively affect our mental outlook. Omega 3 depression studies suggest that people who have diets rich in the essential fatty acids may be less likely to suffer from this affliction. These studies are definitely food for thought.

Omega 3 fatty acids are found in many foods. They are found most abundantly, however, in oily fish like herring, sardines, lake trout, and tuna. They are also found in other types of fish as well as flax seeds, walnuts, and some green leafy vegetables. Omega 3 benefits make it easy to see why including these foods in your diet can be great for your health.

Trying to understand all of the Omega 3 benefits can be difficult with so many sources on the web. This table from the Mayo Clinic provides an easy to read list of afflictions and the grade Omega 3 fatty acids get for treating or preventing those ailments.

For instance, Omega 3 fatty acids get an A on treating high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. They still show evidence of helping with inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and as a nutritional supplement, getting a B in these areas.

The Omega 3 benefits are far reaching. The American Heart Association recommends people with no history of cardiovascular disease get two Omega 3 rich servings of fish per week as well as including things like flax seeds in their diet. They also state that people with coronary heart disease and high blood pressure consume an Omega 3 supplement.

If you don’t like fish or aren’t sure you are getting enough in your diet to reap the many Omega 3 benefits, you may want to talk to your doctor or begin taking an Omega 3 fish oil capsule as a daily supplement.

In the world of good fats and bad fats, Omega 3’s are definitely the good guys. Including an Omega 3 fish oil supplement in your diet is a sure fire way to get the benefits of these components.

Omega 3 fatty acids play a role in every single cell in your body. They are made of several components and included in a variety of foods like fish, walnuts, and flax seeds. Because many of the foods rich in Omega 3s aren’t daily staples in the western diet, taking an Omega 3 fish oil supplement can ensure you get your daily recommended dosage.

The benefits of an Omega 3 fish oil supplement are many. There is evidence that this nutrient can affect everything from the likelihood of heart disease to preventing depression and anxiety. It is believed that these fatty acids fight inflammation and therefore also offer benefits to people suffering from arthritis, joint pain, and some skin problems.

The main goal in taking an Omega 3 fish oil supplement is balancing the intake of Omega 6 fatty acids and Omega 3’s. In the Western world, we seem to consumer too much of the Omega 6 fatty acids. While both are necessary, an overabundance of Omega 6 can lead to an exacerbated risk of heart disease and stroke.

Because you probably don’t get a significant amount of Omega 3 fatty acids in your daily diet, taking an Omega 3 fish oil supplement is a great way to ensure you are doing your best to reap the benefits of this substance.

Unlike some Omega 3 fish oil supplements, Core Omega 3 is digested in the intestines rather than the stomach. This means no fishy aftertaste or “fish burps” as well as no risk for stomach irritation. This formula delivers a premium source of Omega 3 fatty acids in a convenient and high quality supplement.

Before we get to the list of foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids, let’s talk a little bit about why they are important. More than likely you are getting some Omega 3’s in your diet, but chances are it isn’t enough. Omega 3 sources are much more common and popular in diets of the Mediterranean. Here, in the West we consume a disproportionate amount of the far unhealthier Omega 6. It is important that the ratio of Omega 3s in your diet exceeds the amount of Omega 6 fatty acids.

Omega 3 fatty acids do things like reduce inflammation, keep blood from excessive clotting, reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, increase regulation of insulin, and help prevent the growth of cancer cells. While the complete effects of eating off of this list of foods high in Omega 3 is not fully known, some sources also say it can prevent depression, aid in cardiovascular health overall, improve infant cognitive development, as well as prevent osteoporosis and eye disease.

A list if foods high in Omega 3 will not bring about all of these changes, but eating from it will. What I mean is knowledge is only power when you put it into practice. So do more than read this list, utilize it!

• Flaxseeds (great in oatmeal or stirred into soups)
• Walnuts
• Soybeans
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Tofu
• Cabbage
• Shrimp
• Salmon
• Herring
• Sardines
• Anchovies
• Snapper
• Halibut
• Other freshwater fish

The benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids are far reaching. They have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and actually reduce cholesterol. They are important in joint health and even protect your vision and keep your skin healthy and glowing. Researchers are still studying the links between Omega 3s and cancer prevention and even its effects on brain health.

What are the benefits of Omega 3 during pregnancy?

Studies have shown that children whose mothers got sufficient Omega 3 during pregnancy have a developmental advantage over those who were lacking in the essential fatty acid. In the second year of life, these Omega 3 nurtured children had a better attention span than those who were lacking the fats while in the womb.

While the role of Omega 3 in the brain is not fully understood, DHA (one component of Omega 3s) makes up a large portion of the brain. The development of the brain during pregnancy, therefore, depends on sufficient Omega 3 during pregnancy.

What are the best sources of Omega 3 during pregnancy?

Many pregnant women are concerned about where they get their Omega 3 fatty acids. Being wary of mercury levels in fish and the adverse affects it has on pregnancy, women want to steer clear of fish with high mercury levels as a source of Omega 3 during pregnancy.

Low mercury fish like catfish and occasionally salmon continue to be a good source of Omega 3 during pregnancy. Non-fish sources including Omega 3-enriched eggs and plant sources are good as well. If you are pregnant you may want to discuss taking an Omega 3 supplement like Core Omega-3 with your physician.

Omega 3 fatty acids are important in adult health and vital in the development of unborn babies. Making sure to get all of the necessary vitamins and nutrients, including Omega 3 during pregnancy is a priority for many moms-to-be.

Not all fats are bad! Of course the variety around your midsection isn’t great, but as a nutrient, there are good fats. One example of good fats is Omega 3s. The benefits that Omega 3 sources carry are plentiful.

For one, Omega 3s may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In you cardiovascular health, Omega 3 sources have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as reduce hypertension and even help reduce cholesterol. This important good fat has been shown to improve joint problems and skin condition as well.

An important counterpart to Omega 3 fatty acids are Omega 6 fatty acids. Although Omega 6 fats are also important and serve many positive functions in the body, they can cause more harm than good if ingested out of balance. In order for Omega 6 fats to serve their healthy purpose, they must be combined with a healthy ratio of Omega 3 sources. The problem with modern diets is we often have more than enough Omega 6 fats in our diets but are seriously lacking in the Omega 3 sources.

When Omega 6 fats are present in a much higher, unbalanced rate in the body they can actually increase the chances for heart disease and stroke. Because Omega 3 sources have anti-inflammation properties they help to counteract this and allow Omega 6 fatty acids to serve a positive role.

Good Omega 3 sources include:

• Flax seeds
• Canola Oil
• Broccoli
• Canteloupe
• Walnuts
• Spinach
• Cold water, fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies)

Finding high quality Omega 3 sources is not difficult. It may have you eating some newer foods in your diet, but the payoff is worth it. If these food sources aren’t your favorites try an Omega 3 supplement.