Originally published July 21 2005
Nutrition expert: Omega 3s are fatty acids' superstar performers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In an article for eDiets.com, nutrition expert Katherine Tallmadge says that omega-3 fatty acids are akin to athletes at the top of their game; omega-3s have been found to have vast positive physical and psychological effects on the human body.
Most of you have heard about the importance of omega-3s.
While the full scope of their powers are still the subject of fierce debate among researchers, nobody challenges their importance.
It's been well established that omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat found primarily in seafood, can improve your chances of living longer if you have heart disease.
Studies show that they may have significant physiological and psychological benefits.
In fact, omega-3s are so important to human health, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board recently set a minimum daily requirement for the first time.
For years we thought there was only one essential fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid (found in vegetable and soybean oils).
But now scientists have added omega-3 to the list of essential nutrients humans must get in their diet.
I first became interested in the power of omega-3 when psychiatrists I work with began prescribing it for their depressed patients, finding it made positive improvements.
Then I started hearing about its potential benefits for arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Scientists observed that Greenland Eskimos had a reduced rate of heart disease, even though they ate a high fat and cholesterol diet.
They hypothesized that the type of fat -- marine derived -- might play a role.
They prevent irregular heart beat, reduce fatty plaques inside artery walls, decrease blood clotting, decrease triglycerides (blood fat), increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease inflammation, and decrease blood pressure.
"Omega-3 favorably affects a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and at the top of the list is reducing the risk of sudden death from heart attack," says Penny Kris Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition, Pennsylvania State University.
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