Originally published July 24 2005
A look at omega-3 fats
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Omega-3s are "fatty acids" that help build other fats in the body. Researchers have found many beneficial health effects of these types of fats, including development of nerves, eyes and brains in growing children, protection against heart attacks and beneficial effects on inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, lupus and asthma
When we get to learn again what we thought we already knew.
In an attempt to un-baffle our minds, we'll take the next few weeks to update ourselves on some noteworthy nutrition concepts.
Omega-3s are "fatty acids" that help build other fats in the body.
They derive their name from their chemical structure -- the "omega" end of the molecule has its first double bond in the "3" position.
Omega-3 fats first caught the attention of scientists when they studied native Greenlanders who, in spite of their whale blubber diet, had low rates of heart disease.
Lo and behold, research has uncovered a myriad of beneficial health effects of these types of fats.
They are essential for the proper development of nerves, eyes and brains in growing children.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is in plant foods such as flaxseed, walnuts and canola oils.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (don't try to pronounce this at home, boys and girls) or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, are found in fish and algae, especially in fatty fish such as salmon, trout and herring.
Human milk contains all three types of Omega-3 fats: ALA, DHA and EPA.
Most fats -- as many of us are well aware -- can be easily made by our own bodies with just one lustful look at a chocolate chip cookie.
This fatty acid must be part of our diet to avoid health problems.
Good sources of alpha-linolenic acid include soybean oil, canola oil, walnuts and flaxseed.
Two servings (8 ounces) of fish per week are currently recommended by most nutrition experts to provide the benefits of EPA and DHA Omega-3s.
Up to 12 ounces per week of low-mercury fish such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish is OK.
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