Published on June 28, 2022
The top 5 scientifically proven benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and how to make sure you are getting enough
The video featured today is presented by AuthorityNutrition.com, and covers the top 5 health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids along with published research to support each. Following is a quick review of how much omega-3s may be needed to support these health benefits.
Please take a moment to watch and share the video along with our detailed information below.
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After watching the video, be sure to make note of our added details below.
5 Science-Based Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Here is a quick summary of what this video discusses, along with additional information and details about omega-3s:
- Benefit #1: Helps prevent depression and anxiety. Depression one of most common mental disorders in the world. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a serious mental health issue that affects an estimated 7% of American adults every year, and it is a leading cause of disability world-wide. One review showed the effect of omega-3s (with an average dose of 1422 mg/day of EPA) on reducing symptoms of MDD, which produced benefits beyond those of taking antidepressants alone.
- Benefit #2: Helps improve eye health. DHA is a major structural component of the brain and of the retina of the eye. Research has shown a strong connection especially between omega-3s and the risk of macular degeneration.
- Benefit #3: Promotes brain health during pregnancy and early life. Infants need DHA! A study by Tai et al has linked the intake of DHA during infancy to improved eye sight for child, higher IQ, better communication and social skills, less behavioral problems, and a decreased risk of developmental delay, ADHD, autism and cerebral palsy.
- Benefit #4: Reduces symptoms of ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental problem in children. In fact, in 2016, approximately 9.4% of children ages 2-17 in the United States (about 6.1 million) had received a diagnosis of ADHD at some point in their lifetime. One study found improvements in behavioral symptoms and cognitive and visual-sensory test performance among children with ADHD who supplemented with DHA.
- Benefit #5: Reduced risk of age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Eating more fatty fish has been linked to increased gray matter in the brain. Results from one study showed that those with the highest Omega-3 Index had a 44% lower risk of cognitive impairment, and another study showed great improvements in cognitive scores and less cognitive decline when taking omega-3s with B vitamins.
- Higher omega-3s have also been associated with improved cardiovascular health, lower risk of cancer, and a reduced relative risk for death from any cause, including COVID-19. They are beneficial for normal vision, anti-aging, skin health, maternal health, immune system, brain health, heart health, normal liver function, joints and muscles, and more.
- Studies show the most health benefits are seen when taking at least 1-2g per day of DHA and EPA. However, there can be much variability in individual responses to the same dose of omega-3s, making it important to test omega-3 levels to ensure you are getting enough.
How do You Know if You Are Getting Enough Omega-3s?
Find out where your Omega-3 Index level is while contributing to one of the world’s largest nutrient field trials – and help us answer questions about how omega-3s, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients can benefit our health.
By joining the GrassrootsHealth projects, you are not only contributing valuable information to our study, but you are also gaining knowledge about how you could improve your own health through measuring and tracking your nutrient status, and educating yourself on how to improve it. Do you know what your status of vitamin D, omega-3s, and other essential nutrients is? Could your levels be improved? Test now to find out!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
