What Are Omega-3 Supplements and How Can They Support Your Healthy Lifestyle?
Omega-3 supplements, also known as fish oil supplements, have become a popular addition to many nutritional supplement regimens. Omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits that can help support how you look and feel overall as you age.
Omega-3 supplements can help you get the fish oil you need for the optimal functioning of your brain, heart, and skin even if you don’t eat fish or seafood.
Continue reading to learn what omega-3 fatty acids are, how they can support vibrant health, and how to get your daily recommended amount even if you don’t consume fish.
What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are healthy fats that provide a variety of benefits for your mind and body. They are difficult for the human body to synthesize, so they must be obtained through diet and supplementation from bioavailable fish oil formulas. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: ALA, EPA, and DHA.
ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is found in plant sources like flaxseed, canola oil, and soybeans. Your body can convert ALA to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) then to DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). However, this can only be done in small amounts and does not provide sufficient amounts of EPA and DHA for optimal health which is why it is important to eat foods or use supplements rich in the latter two fatty acids.
EPA and DHA are found in fish, fish oils, and krill oils. These fish products are the best source of omega-3 fatty acids as they contain the highest potency in comparison to plant-based sources.
What Are the Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
You’ll find a variety of health benefits in omega-3 fatty acids which is why they are highly recommended as part of a healthy aging regimen. The following are just a few of the benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids:
- Your cardiovascular health can benefit from omega-3 fatty acids as they help maintain healthy triglyceride levels, healthy blood pressure levels already in the normal range, healthy blood circulation, and flexible arteries.
- You can maintain joint mobility and comfort
- You can support your mental and emotional health as omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain an already balanced mood. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the building blocks of healthy brain cells, help maintain healthy nervous system function, can easily travel through the brain cell membranes, and interact with molecules associated with mood regulation
- You can support strong immune function since omega-3s help to maintain T cell activity which is responsible for immune health.
Should You Get Your Fatty Acids From Food or Omega-3 Supplements?
If you enjoy eating fish and seafood, getting your daily recommended amount of omega-3s can be fairly easy and quite enjoyable. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in abundance in salmon, mackerel, lake trout, tuna, sardines, and anchovies.
But what if you don’t like fish or follow a vegan or vegetarian diet? Thankfully, you can still get omega-3s from plant-based foods such as walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, Brussels sprouts, avocados, tofu, and seaweed. Keep in mind that if you are getting your omega-3 fatty acids solely from plant-based foods, you will need to consume much larger amounts to receive optimal benefits.
USANA BiOmega: High-Quality Omega-3 Supplements for High-Quality Health
To reap all the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, add USANA BiOmega to your healthy diet. This high-quality fish oil formula delivers the ideal ratio of EPA to DHA fatty acids and a bioavailable form that is easy for your body to absorb. Simply take two capsules daily to help you feel your best throughout your life.