Omega 3 - The Healthy Fat
Michael Byrd
May 18, 2007
It is most likely that you have heard much about health benefits of Omega 3 fats if you have followed nutrition and health news. Though fats are generally considered unhealthy, Omega 3 fats are an exception. These compounds have been known to have positive effects on the rate of heart disease, high cholesterol levels, dementia, and even arthritis. Now scientists have added a new dimension by proving its efficacy in attention deficit disorder to this list.
Omega 3 fats are a form of polyunsaturated fats found naturally in several foods. There are three primary varieties of these fats: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Of the three varieties, DHA has been found to have beneficial effects on attention deficit disorder.
Researchers at the University of Purdue found that children whose diets lacked sufficient quantities of DHA were more likely to show the classic symptoms of attention deficit disorder, including hyperactivity and behavior issues. Infants, too, are at risk, because DHA is transmitted through breast milk, and many mothers are not getting enough DHA to pass on to their children through lactation. In fact, about 85% of American women are deficient in these fatty acids.
There are a lot of different ways to get more of these useful fats into your body. The best way is to include foods in your diet which are rich in omega 3s, like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and tuna.
If you don't like to eat fish or simply don't want to change your diet, fish oil supplements are the option for you. With a high quality supplement, you can get all the fish oil benefits of DHA-rich foods without any of the taste or hassle.
Scientists and nutritionists already know a great deal about the benefits of the omega 3 fats found in fish oil, but the research is only beginning. There are plenty of exciting new frontiers to be explored. Indeed, it seems as if researchers discover a new health benefit every day. The newest findings about their effect on attention deficit disorder are merely even more cause to celebrate.
Omega 3 fats are a form of polyunsaturated fats found naturally in several foods. There are three primary varieties of these fats: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Of the three varieties, DHA has been found to have beneficial effects on attention deficit disorder.
Researchers at the University of Purdue found that children whose diets lacked sufficient quantities of DHA were more likely to show the classic symptoms of attention deficit disorder, including hyperactivity and behavior issues. Infants, too, are at risk, because DHA is transmitted through breast milk, and many mothers are not getting enough DHA to pass on to their children through lactation. In fact, about 85% of American women are deficient in these fatty acids.
There are a lot of different ways to get more of these useful fats into your body. The best way is to include foods in your diet which are rich in omega 3s, like salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and tuna.
If you don't like to eat fish or simply don't want to change your diet, fish oil supplements are the option for you. With a high quality supplement, you can get all the fish oil benefits of DHA-rich foods without any of the taste or hassle.
Scientists and nutritionists already know a great deal about the benefits of the omega 3 fats found in fish oil, but the research is only beginning. There are plenty of exciting new frontiers to be explored. Indeed, it seems as if researchers discover a new health benefit every day. The newest findings about their effect on attention deficit disorder are merely even more cause to celebrate.
Print
Email
