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| Article: The Benefits and Importance of Omega-3 Supplements - by Katharyne Thompson | ||
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The Benefits and Importance of Omega-3 Supplements What is Omega-3? To put it quite simply Omega-3 is a form of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The long chain omega-3 fatty acids that are needed for essential health are EPA (eicosapentaenoic) and DHA (docosahexaenoic). These forms are not made in the body, and therefore can only be obtained through consuming marine life, certain plants or taken omega-3 supplements. Why is Omega-3 important for health? Clinical health studies have shown that taken supplements of Omega-3, is important for healthy people, as well as people at risk of developing, or people that have a variety of illnesses. According to many health studies that have been conducted with omega-3 fatty acids, they conclude that omega-3 fatty acids provide health benefits in the following way. Helps promote a healthy heart, reduces cholesterol, supports the immune system, thrombosis, helps lower blood pressure, reduces inflammation, this helps people with arthritis and other inflammation disorders lowers triglycerides levels, raises HDL levels, therefore benefits people with diabetes, elevates mood, enhances mental concentration, plays a big part in enhancing the development of the central nervous system of infants. Helps prevent heart attacks and stokes Helps prevent sudden death, caused by cardiac arrest. There are more health studies being conducted with Omega-3 EPA and DHA in improving mental illnesses, like manic/depression, bipolar and ADHD. Other studies that are being conducted include colon cancer and mixing omega-3 into medicines for inflammatory bowel disease has shown improvement in symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The Food and Drug Administration acknowledge these studies and allow the health claims of omega-3 fatty acids to be labeled on food products and dietary supplements that contain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Why are omega-3 supplements better then getting omega-3 from plants or marine life? 1. The most important reason for taken omega-3 in supplement form, is that you can have the health benefits of Omega-3 without the contaminants that some marine life and plants carry. 2. Some people that have high triglycerides or coronary artery disease may need more omega-3 then they can get from diet alone. This should be determined by a doctor. 3. You know how much omega-3 you are actual taken. All supplements list how many milligrams of omega-3 is in each serving. This is very hard to determine by diet alone how much omega-3 you actually consume. You would have to know how much omega-3 was in each serving of marine life or plants and measure the portion of each serving. 4. Omega-3 supplements are convenient, you can carry them with you and take them anytime of the day that they are needed. How safe are omega-3 supplements? Ask your doctor before taken omega-3 supplements if you are currently taken medication, or under a doctors care. Especially if you are currently taken medication for blood thinning, as this may cause bleeding. In Washington DC, the Council For Responsible Nutrition (CRN), has developed a quality standard system called the Omega-3 Monograph. Each supplement is run through a battery of test and must pass each one. Currently there are eighteen companies complying with the CRN Monograph. Below is a list copied from the CRN website, of omega-3 supplement products that are approved by the CRN. * Carlson® Super Omega-3 Fish Oils 1000mg * Coromega™ omega-3 Fish Oil *CVS® pharmacy Natural Fish Oil Concentrate 1000 mg * GNC Preventive Nutrition® Omega Complex * Nature's Bounty® Cold Water Salmon Oil 1000mg * Nutrilite® Omega 3 Complex * OLAY™ Vitamins essential balanced omega 3/6™, Enteric Coated for Better Digestion *Omega Brite™ 100% Natural Advanced Omega 3 Formula, 500 mg *PhytoPharmica® ESKIMO-3® Naturally Stable Fish Oil *Puritan's Pride® Cholesterol Free Fish Oil 1200mg *Puritan's Pride® Cholesterol Free Natural Fish Oil EPA 1000mg *Puritan's Pride® Triple Omega 3-6-9 Flax, Fish & Borage Oil *Flax, Fish, Borage Oil *Spring Valley Fish Oil 1200 mg *Sundown® Fish Oil 1000mg *The Vitamin Shoppe™ Essential Oils & Fatty Acids EPA-DHA Omega-3 Fish Oil 500 *Triomega® Omega-3 *Vitamin World® Cholesterol Free Fish Oil 1200mg *Vitamin World® Naturally Inspired™ Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg Cholesterol-Free *Vitamin World® Naturally Inspired™ Super EPA Natural Fish Oil 1000mg Cholesterol-Free *Vitamin World® Triple Omega 3-6-9 Flax, Fish & Borage Oil *Carlson® Norwegian Cod Liver Oil |
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Katharyne Thompson Mgklady@aol.com |
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