Dietitians agree that fatty fish are some of the healthiest things you can eat. However, few people know why they're so good for you. By eating fatty fish at least once a week, you can improve your cardiovascular system, reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes, and even keep your brain healthy as you age. The truth is that fatty fish offers many surprising health benefits through the ever-important nutrient: omega 3.
Read on to learn more about the health benefits of omega 3 found in fatty fish, why you should eat salmon, and next time you should say yes to that extra helping!
Omega 3 fatty acids are vital nutrients that help everything from heart health to brain function, but they're also great for those looking to drop a few pounds and keep them off. A study published in Diabetes Care found that people who received omega 3-fatty acid supplements from their doctor lost more weight over six months than those who didn't take a supplement.
An international team of researchers led by Oxford University recently found that women who regularly consume fatty fish and other sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are less likely to develop breast cancer. The scientists analyzed data from 5,115 women with breast cancer and 5,633 healthy women participating in 23 previous studies. They found that those with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had a 17 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. Interesting, right?
Obviously, omega 3 fatty acids have many benefits to your health, but the most significant of these is keeping your heart healthy. There are three types of omega 3 fatty acids. These include ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Omega 3s help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels by lowering triglycerides in your body.
The brain has millions of cells called neurons, and these neurons need to communicate with each other to function. This communication happens via chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters that bind to receptors in each neuron. There are many different types of neurotransmitters. Each one performs tasks, but they all have one thing in common – omega 3 fatty acids. Fatty fish is one of the best brain foods for this reason!
Omega 3 fatty acids can improve eye health and effectively treat macular degeneration. An Austrian study found that people with mild-to-moderate forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) had a noticeable improvement in vision after taking omega 3 supplements.
Omega 3 fatty acids are building blocks of cells in your body. As such, they can treat rheumatoid arthritis because they help reduce inflammation when your immune system overreacts and begins attacking healthy tissue instead. Omega 3s can also treat osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions of joints; if you suffer from joint pain, try eating more fish (especially fatty fish like salmon or mackerel) to see if it helps alleviate symptoms.
What's your favorite way to incorporate fatty fish into your healthy diet? Leave a comment and let us know!
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Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)