Omega 3 And Why You Need More
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 dimention by proving its efficacy in attention deficit disorder to this list.
Several foods contain omega 3, which is a polyunsaturated fat naturally. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the three primary variety of these fats out of which DHA has been found to be beneficial in attention deficit disorders.
Recent research at the University of Purdue, has found a link between attention deficient disorder and a child's diet that is lacking in a fatty acid called DHA. The children's diets that lacked DHA showed the classic symptoms of ADD, such as behavior issues and hyperactivity. Because DHA is transmitted through breast milk infants are at risk for ADD as well. They believe that at least 85% of women in America are not digesting enough DHA to pass along to their children.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get more of these useful fats into your system. The first way is to add foods rich in these nutrients to your diet. Some of these foods include fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and tuna. Other sources include flax and walnuts. Increasing your intake of any or all of these foods will help with any deficiencies in your diet.
If you don't like any of the above foods, or simply do not wish to change your diet that drastically, supplements are also available. These are usually in the form of fish oil supplements and contain enough omega 3 fats to produce noticeable benefits. With supplements, you can receive all the fish oil benefits of DHA-rich foods without any of the taste or hassle.
Research by scientists and nutritionists regarding the benefits of omega 3 fats has come a long way, yet new discoveries are being made each day. There are many new frontiers to be explored in this area. Their newest findings about the effects of omega 3 fats on attention deficit disorder is one of many avenues of research currently being pursued.
There is a general consensus that fats are bad for you and should not be contained in your diet, however recent research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids are actually good for you. These fats are beneficial in many ways such as the reduction of heart disease, cholesterol and other important health benefits. Unfortunately most people are not getting enough of them, in order to do this it is good to eat seafood. Fish oil benefits can either be obtained by eating seafood, or by fish oil supplements, but however you get them you should get them.
Published May 16th, 2007
Filed in Family