Omega 3 - Important to Know

Omega 3 essential fatty acids are critical to good health but it's not an easy task to get them. I thought I could get them from chia seeds but I found out there are significant problems in relying on them as my only source. I'll be going over what I ran into and what to watch for.

Are Chia Seeds an Adequate Replacement for Fish Oils?

I went off krill oil (a capsule containing oil from a very small shrimp-like fish) which I was taking to ensure I was getting the necessary oils for mental clarity. Over the last 3 months I did see a decline in my ability to think clearly. I was not as positive about every day living as well.

More to Learn about these Fatty Acids

Just before discovering this new supplement, I went for a walk up a hill. By the next day I was experiencing a considerable amount of pain in my left hip. For the first time in my life I became aware of what inflammation had to do with joint pain and it wasn't pleasant. As I did my research I knew that I was not getting something from the chia seeds to give me any joint pain relief.

It seems to me that if you are getting enough of the right essential omegas, inflammation and joint pain should be minor. We'll see as time goes on now as I am planning another walk up that hill after I get enough of this oil in my joints to make a difference.

Why You Need Omega 3 from the Sea...

The three components of the structure of a living cell are Proteins, Carbohydrates and Lipids.

Definitions:

• Lipids - fats, oils, waxes, etc.
• Fatty Acids - they form a part of a lipid molecule.
• Essential Fatty Acids - those fatty acids that cannot be made from scratch by the human body although some are capable of being converted from fatty acids in the body.
• ALA - an omega 3 essential fatty acid found most abundantly in seed foods like chia and flax and hemp; ALA is the symbol for Alpha-linolenic acid or a-linolenic acid. Hear pronunciation.
• EPA - an omega 3 essential fatty acid found in marine life; EPA is the symbol for Eicosapentaenoic Acid Hear pronunciation
• DHA - an omega 3 an essential fatty acid found in marine life; DHA is the symbol for Docosahexaenoic Acid Hear pronunciation.

ALA, from land plants like chia seeds or flax seeds, can be used to synthesize EPA although it is not in a very large quantity. It will not provide enough EPA to make any significant difference.

ALA needs to be kept in balance or it can cause a negative effect on the hormonal responses in your body. You wouldn't want to increase the foods that supply ALA thinking you will be able to make enough EPA. You will only make things worse. When hormones go out of balance your life can move in the wrong direction very rapidly.

EPA has a key position in the body. It ensures there are enough of a certain kind of enzyme that helps the omega 6 fatty acids attain their functioning role in every cell in the body. The omega 6's are the building blocks of cellular hormones. To ensure you get enough EPA - get it from the sea.

This last omega 3 that has particular importance to me is DHA. This is the main fatty acid found in the brain and the retina of the eyes. I won't leave this one to chance anymore. It does come from the sea and it is vital to my goal as being active and healthy both mentally and physically in my senior years.

If you live on rich sources of EPA and DHA you stand a better chance of retaining your mental clarity and eye sight. People who live off the sea have less depression as evidenced in a study done by Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., and Norman Salem, Jr., Ph.D., which was concluded in 1995.

Sources of EPA and DHA Omega 3 from the Sea

I decided to supplement my diet with the best salmon I could find. This is excellent salmon that I eat once a week. I've never been a sushi fan so I bake it at a very low temperature (250 degrees F). I am told low heat does not destory the omegas but high heat will.

For my purpose, I have not been able to eat enough fish to make the difference I'm looking for in curbing the decline of aging. I have read instances where people have had significant success but that was eating it daily the majority of their life.

Sardines

This was not even an option for me. I was convinced by a very knowledgeable nutritionist to purchase a high quality can of sardines about 3 years ago. The can is still unopened. I just can't tolerate the smell or looks of this particular fish so, even though they are inexpensive and high in good omega 3 fatty acids, I avoid them like the plague.

But... I'll pass on my nutritionist's recommendation to anyone who CAN eat them.

Fish Oil Supplements

I was getting good results from the Krill oil that I was taking along with the Chia Seeds. At this point I have to say, I see no other choice but to rely on supplements to meet the quality and quantity of omega 3 fatty acids needed for good health. There are many fish oil supplements on the market these days.

This is an area that needs investigation to insure you get the healthy omega's. I have written another article The Omega 3 Fish Oil Challenge to give you a better idea of what we are up against.

Choices for Fish Oil Supplements

This is a particularly exciting review for me to write since I have found an exceptional new source of oils from the sea that have been making significant changes in my physical health. Actually, my husband Glen is saying the same thing.

References

• Enter the Zone by Barry Sears, Ph.D with Bill Lawren
• The Franklin Institute - Resource for Science Learning
• Wikipedia
• Meriam-Webster Online
• American Herritage Dictionary