Fourni par Blogger.

By Melanie Caplan


Such encouraging news has generated a good deal of interest in Omega 3 of late.

What is Omega 3?Omega 3 is, in fact, a polyunsaturated fatty acid which, as it passes through the limentary canal (digestive tract through the human body), breaks down existing cholesterol and deposits a minutely thin barrier to prevent its reformation.

As the health reputation of the Omega-3s grows, food manufacturers have explored the opportunity of fortifying everyday foods with Omega-3s. Omega-3 eggs are increasingly available; for example, bread fortified with 13mg of Omega-3 DHA per slice is now available in New Zealand and Australia. Malaysia has a cracker fortified with vitamins, minerals and both Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFAs and a similarly fortified margarine serves as a fine accompaniment.

There are many foods containing omega 3 fatty acids in small amounts, but these foods usually contain omega 6 fatty acids as well, so in order to maintain the best balance doctors often recommend omega 3 supplements. Short chain omega 3 foods are plant sources like flaxseed, chia, purslane, lingonberry, and hemp. These are foods containing omega 3 fatty acids known as ALA. The body must convert this ALA to the long chain omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. However, this conversion happens inefficiently in many people for various reasons.

As the advantages of regular intake of Omega 3 become more accepted in North America, the food processing and pharmaceutical industries will, no doubt, put more effort and funding into making these various supplements more readily available.

The problem with most meats nowadays is that they are mass produced, and grain-fed. Only grassfed meats -- not grainfed -- are foods containing omega 3 fatty acids.

Many doctors recommend that vegan diets include an algae oil supplement, since such people will not use the best omega 3 source -- high quality fish oil supplements -- because algae oil contains DHA and EPA fatty acids.

The most common foods containing omega 3 fatty acids of the long chain variety are fish. Because of mercury contamination risks, doctors and environmental experts make the following recommendations: avoid fish that come from the Atlantic Ocean which is particularly polluted.

The good news of Omega 3 health benefits goes global

People who do not like any of the foods containing omega 3 fatty acids may want to consider a fish oil supplement which is tasteless and actually helps the cells of the body absorb other substances like calcium. A fish oil supplement should be purified or pharmaceutical quality. Hoki fish oil is a good choice.

Since the omega 3 foods list or foods containing omega 3 fatty acids is so short, an omega 3 supplement containing purified fish oil may be the best choice for a healthy diet.




About the Author: