Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Part 1


Important Facts about Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and are part of the vision pathway to the brain.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is an essential fatty acid that cannot be synthesized by the body and is found in flax, walnuts and chia seeds. The body converts ALA to the longer chain fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA(docosahexaenoic acid).  The real benefits from omega 3s come from EPA and DHA. The conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is not an efficient process in the body. 

Foods that contain EPA and DHA, especially cold-water fish, are the best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

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