- The omega-3 fats in many types of fish and seafood are known to lower the risk of heart disease and benefit the brain.
- They have a potent anti-inflammatory action.
- They help to maintain healthy triglyceride and and high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease ).
- They are necessary for healthy infant growth and development.
- Some Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) have immune systems benefits including powerful antiviral activity.
- Research suggests that they may help relieve depression and improve mood.
- EFA's play a important role in the production of hormones that govern countless metabolic and biological processes from the perception of hunger to our responses to stress and the time of our reproductive cycles.
In our diet, fatty or oily fish such as carp, herring, mackerel, black cod and salmon, as well as flaxseed oil, soy and canola oils, sunflower seeds, walnuts and walnut oil, and leafy green vegetables contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
In addition to helping to prevent and slow the progress of cardiovascular disease, EFAs have been used to reduce the risk of disease and to treat a variety of conditions including:
- Arthritis: Consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have been found to cause a decrease of inflammation and in some cases improvement such as reduced tenderness in joints, decreased morning stiffness, and a reduction in the amount of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication needed for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Cancer: Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth in vitro of colon, breast and prostate cancers. Studies support the anticancer effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the colon. Studies have also provided evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have anticancer effects in the colon
- Macular Degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of disability in older adults. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are highly concentrated in the brain and retinal tissue and may prevent or delay the progression of AMD. Low dietary intakes and plasma concentrations have been reported to be associated with AMD risk.
- Menstural Problems and Pain: One cause of menstrual pain is a disturbed balance between anti-inflammatory vasodilator eicosanoids derived from omega-3 fatty acids and proinflammatory vasoconstrictor eiscosanoids derived from omega-6 fatty acids. Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids can reverse the symptons in this condition by decreasing the amount of omega-6 fatty acids in cell membranes.
