Supplements Help in Weight Loss (VI): Omega 3 fatty acids

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 | Author: admin

Omega 3 fatty acids are widely recommended for just everyone, including who those urge for healthy weight loss. In fact, the impact of omega 3 on many areas of human health is so enormous, which here only covers the benefits towards healthy weight loss.

There are 3 basic types of omega 3 fatty acids are consumed: ALA (alpha linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). ALA is found commonly in flaxseeds while EPA and DHA are found in fish. Our body is supposed to make EPA and DHA from ALA, as both of them are very essential to us. However, approximately 20% of ALA is eventually winded up as EPA and DHA, and thus people usually consume some omega 3 supplements.

Omega 3 is not specifically a supplement for weight loss program. Anyway, it helps in 4 areas that can stall your health and weight loss progress and thus is recommended for healthy weight loss purpose.

1) Reduce triglycerides and increase good cholesterol

It has been shown in various clinical studies which omega 3 fatty acids are significantly effective in lowering blood pressure, reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, increasing HDL (good cholesterol). As such, omega 3 fatty acids are highly recommended not only to people with high risk of cardiovascular disease or being overweight, but also to patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and healthy people like you and me.

2) Increase insulin sensitivity

One of the reasons of being overweight is high sugar levels in the bloodstream. This cause high insulin level, results in promoting fat storage and inhibiting fat breakdown. When omega 3 fatty acids are taken regularly, it helps lowering the insulin level by reducing the amount of a fatty substance named triglyceride. This encourages the breakdown of stored fats and they can be better utilized for energy in your daily activities.

3) Omega 3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects

Omega 3 fatty acids can lower creative protein, a measure of inflammation and a risk factor for heart disease that is often increased in diabetics. As omega 3 is the first of the fatty acid to be depleted when you lose fat, so the need for omega 3 increases for healthy weight loss purpose.

4) Improve joint health

Arthritis or joint issue is always a nightmare to those who like to exercise, which is highly recommended in a healthy weight loss program. As such, omega 3 fatty acids are suitable for them. Various studies show that omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil can help reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Besides, another study indicates that consumption of broiled or baked fish with 2 or more servings per week is associated with up to 43% decreased risk of arthritis issue.

Besides 4 benefits stated above, omega 3 fatty acids have other health benefits towards our body besides other food and nutrition aspects. One thing for sure, omega 3 fatty acids are highly recommended even though you are not in a healthy weight loss program.