Omega fatty acids and you
Omega fatty acids are important for your health and many of us have been taking them for some time. They assist with keeping you healthy on many levels – everything from handling cardiovascular disease and keeping a healthy heart to lowering inflammation, assisting in less developmental disorders and mental health issues, keeping a healthy prostrate, keeping you agile as you get older and many more issues.
Omega fatty acids are found in combinations of 3, 6 and 9. Common sources are eggs, meat and fish in varying quantities. Best sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, mussels, halibut, flounder (marine animal sources), flaxseed, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts (plant based). Omega-6 can be found in oils such as corn oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil and omega-9 in olive oil and animal fat. Often as we age and due to the denatured state of our foods we cannot get enough omega fatty acids from the food we eat so supplements become necessary.
Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids can assist with prostate cancer. Other different genetic studies highlight the effect of omega-3s on inflammation and metabolism of fatty acids. Studies have analysed men with prostate cancer compared to almost exact numbers of healthy men round the same age and nationality. The intake of omega fatty acids, in particular omega-3, was assessed as well as genetic variations and results showed that increased amounts of omega-3 fatty acids led to a decrease in the risk of getting prostate cancer. There have been many studies done on this topic which are easily accessible on the internet. Some studies have also shown that men with a low intake of omega-3s have a much greater risk of getting prostate cancer and that the risk lowers once they begin to take it. This however is only in some people, many who are in a particular genetic group with a particular SNP (rs4648310). So omega-3 appears to protect some people with prostate cancer by having an effect on their levels of inflammation and also carcinogenic factors.
Omega fatty acids will also protect your heart health and assist in inflammation in your whole body. They will also keep your blood thin which is why you need to take care if you are on blood thinners from the doctor. Many people these days are on medications which don’t always interact well with supplements so do go and talk to a natural practitioner about the medications you take and talk to your doctor about the supplements you take. Whilst it is true you are responsible for your health you are not a doctor or natural practitioner and self medicating can sometimes have serious ramifications.
Often as we age and due to the denatured state of our foods we cannot get enough omega fatty acids from the food we eat so supplements become necessary.
Another of the omega fatty acids perhaps not so famous is omega-7. It is praised at times as it nourishes and restores the skin, replenishes moisture and helps heal urinary, genital and digestive health. It has anti-ageing properties and this omega fatty acid is known as Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae chamnoides) oil. It has been used in treatment of skin disorders and mucus problems in China for ages.
Palmitoleic acid is one of the omega fatty acids that is a naturally occurring component of healthy skin and an antioxidant which slows aging and combats free radicals. This makes omega-7 a strong emollient which promotes regeneration. Studies have found that Sea Buckthorn has considerable protective properties. It has also been found that it is helpful in speeding up healing of gastric ulcers.
What many people don’t know is that the omega fatty acids need to be taken in a certain combination and it is not enough to just go and buy the cheapest one on the shelf. You need to have a word to a practitioner who can advise you which of the products containing omega fatty acids is best for you. It is not enough to just take omega-3. If you are going to take omega oils you may as well take the lot rather than just omega-3. A combination of 3, 6 and 9 is easily found in flaxseed oil capsules, which sometimes are better than the other products out there. Also popular is krill oil.
It is important to realise that because supplements are not all the same you need to consult someone as to which is the best one for your condition. Never substitute one product for another simply because the store is out of stock. Every product has different combinations of omega fatty acids and different amounts. While these may not harm, you will not be getting the best benefit if you haphazardly change brands without proper consultation. Supplementation of omega fatty acids is relatively inexpensive and you can buy them at most supermarkets. However, for the better mix and quality ones, you may need to do a bit of a search around.
