Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Worth The Hype?
Posted January 24, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
In a “sea” of miracle cures, it’s easy to dismiss a product’s health benefits as nothing more than an overblown marketing ploy. Not so with Omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3s are nothing new. In fact, products and supplements containing the substance have been on the market since the late 1990’s, but were initially confined to health food stores and alternative medicine.
The American Heart Association released its landmark study in 2002 ” Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease” bringing the health benefits to the general public. The evidence was overwhelmingly positive, showing decreased risk of arrhythmias, decreased triglyceride levels, decreased growth rate of atherosclerotic plaques and slightly lowered blood pressure.
Further studies on the effects of Omega-3s on the inflammatory process showed it had protective and healing effects on rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, menstrual pain and migraine headaches.
So what’s the downside? A number of recent reports on the level of toxic chemicals (most notably PCBs) in farm raised salmon cast a pall over this miraculous substance. In addition, consuming too few Omega-3 fatty acids while over consuming foods containing Omega-6 fatty acids, like those in canola and corn oil sets off a cascade of inflammatory “cytokines”, tiny hormonal communicators to the immune system.
The best possible sources for Omega-3 fatty acids remains fatty, coldwater fish. A number of excellent alternatives to farmed salmon are available:
- Wild Salmon
- Anchovies
- Sardines
- Cod
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Krill Oil
Vegetarian
- Omega-3 Eggs
- Parmalat’s Smart Growth – Yogurt and Milk
Vegan
- Flaxseed
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Hazelnuts
Omega-3 fatty acids have recently been added to a number of dairy products, including the new “Smart Growth” line from Parmalat. The key component believed to promote brain health is DHA, or “docosahexaenoic acid”, a major fatty acid used in brain function, thought to boost cognitive ability and IQ.
More alarmingly, DHA deficiency has been associated with cognitive decline, depression and even Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’d like to read more about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids visit these links:
Health Canada – more information on Omega-3 enriched products
The American Heart Association
Pictured: Krill
