Medical School, amongst many others, indicates that these healthy fats help prevent a wide range of medical problems, including depression, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
What conditions or symptoms indicate a need for foods high in omega-3 fatty acids?
-Depression
-Bipolar disorder
-Anxiety
-Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
-Cardiovascular Disease
-Type 2 Diabetes
-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Asthma
-Dry, itchy skin
-Brittle hair and nails
-Inability to concentrate
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated. The terms "saturated" and "polyunsaturated" refer to the number of hydrogen atoms that are attached to the carbon chain of the fatty acid. When eaten in appropriate amounts, each type of fat can contribute to health. However, the importance of omega 3 fatty acids in health promotion and disease prevention cannot be overstated.
The most nutritionally important omega 3 fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid. Dietary sources of alpha-linolenic acid include flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, soybeans and some dark green leafy vegetables. The body converts alpha-linolenic acid into important omega 3 fats.
Omega-3 fats can also be derived directly from certain foods, most notably cold-water fish including salmon, tuna, halibut, and herring.
A recently published study shows that in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where fish consumption is high, rates of depression are extremely low- some 10 times lower than in the United States. Major depression appears to be extremely rare in Japan, where
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are consumed in great abundance.
NEXT WEEK WE WILL ELABORATE ON FUNCTIONS OF OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS AND SYMPTOMS OF OMEGA 3 FATTY ACID DEFICIENCY
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