Few things are more vital for optimal health than omega-3 fatty acids. And in fact, fewer nutrients have been studied more extensively. As such, researchers have connected omega-3 to dozens of health and wellness benefits. Omega-3 has so much to offer both your mind and body that it can be tough to go into detail on each one! So let’s take a look at just some of the most powerful health benefits this fatty acid has in store.
Omega-3 fatty acids are clinically proven to lower elevated levels of triglycerides, the blood fat that puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. But that’s not all they do for your heart health. Omega-3s can reduce blood pressure levels in people with high blood pressure, raise HDL or “good” cholesterol levels while lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol, prevent blood clots and keep your arteries free of the plaque that can restrict and harden them. All together, then, omega-3s address multiple risk factors for heart disease
Another significant way omega-3 fatty acids support your overall health is by reducing your body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation is a key factor in many serious and common health conditions, from arthritis to Parksinson’s disease. Chronic inflammation is a contributing element in virtually all chronic illnesses, too, from heart disease to cancer.
Crucially, omega-3s can reduce inflammation at the source, by inhibiting the production of molecules that trigger inflammatory response. Studies have consistently linked high omega-3 intake to reduced inflammation.
And just as they’re good for your body, omega-3s are also great for your mind. Important research has found that higher omega-3 intake can help decrease age-related mental decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For neurodivergent people struggling with mental health conditions, studies also suggest that omega-3s can reduce the frequency and severity of mood swings in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The best way to obtain omega-3s is by eating fish, although nuts and seeds are excellent sources, too. Hemp seeds, used to cold extract hemp seed oil like the kind used in many CBD tinctures and other products, are among the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids available.
Experts say you should eat at least two servings of fatty fish, such as tuna or salmon, every week. If you can’t or don’t eat fish, there are plenty of non-animal-based supplements you can consider, including hemp seed oil.
Resources
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation, and inflammatory diseases — 2006
Omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of psychiatric disorders — 2005
