Omega-3 fatty acids may appear like a huge intimidating phrase scientists use, but it’s actually very simple. They’re nutrients, like proteins and carbohydrates and whatnot. The name Omega-3 comes from the shape and type of the molecules that make it up. Like all nutrients, we obtain them from the food that we consume. Fish is typically where we can get {a great deal|most|much of} our Omega-3 needs; or should I say, where we don’t obtain our needs. See, most people don’t buy enough fish to get the necessary Omega 3s. More often, people usually get their Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils.

I know that most people might see “fatty acids” and automatically assume that it’s not good for your body, but that’s not valid. In the 1970s, scientists studying the Intuit people in Greenland discovered that even if they consumed large amounts of fatty acids from the seafood they consumed, they had extremely miniscule incidents of cardiovascular disease. The US FDA finally observed the link between good fatty acids and cardiovascular health in 2004, assigning a “qualified health claim” status to good fats like Omega-3s.

So what makes these Omega-3s so significant? Well, Omega-3s are a kind of essential fatty acid, or EFA. EFAs are essential to our bodies to function properly. That’s why they’re called “essential” fatty acids and not optional fatty acids. If we don’t get enough of these EFAs, we run the risk of heart disease, arthritis, and numerous other chronic ailments. Some studies have also shown that a lack of EFAs could cause weight gain and depression. EFAs also support brain function and proper development, particularly in children. You know how many people say fish is brain food? They’re speaking about the EFAs in fish.

There are several kinds of EFAs, however. There are the Omega-3s which you find particularly in fish, and the Omega-6s which are found in vegetable oils. Anti-inflammatory Omega-3s keep the inflammatory Omega-6s in check. The perfect ratio is 1:2, but most diets usually lead to a gross imbalance, with a large number of Americans ingesting a ratio of 1 Omega-3 to twenty Omega-6s!. This leads to a condition called silent inflammation. There aren’t any symptoms for this until it’s far too late and several ailments start hitting your body, so it’s better to make sure you’re getting adequate Omega-3s in your diet. This is where fish oil supplements really make a difference.

There are different kinds of Omega-3 acids as well. There are EPA, DHA and ALA. Vegetarians usually prefer ALAs which are prevalent in flaxseed oil. Your body can only make use of EPA and DHA, and only converts a very miniscule percentage of these ALAs into EPA and DHAs though. Whatever is left becomes inflammatory. You’re much better off with EPA and DHA prevalent in fish oils. You’re probably getting more than you need of the inflammatory fatty acids as is.

Like I mentioned earlier, the majority of people don’t eat adequate fish to get an adequate amount of Omega-3s. The reason is that our diets have become so that we don’t really eat much fish anymore. Also, we’re going to have to eat a large quantity of fish to get the levels of Omega-3s we require. Not to mention the risk of contamination in the fish. With modern pollution, you can never be certain. Fish oils are a much better alternative to eating a huge amount of fish. They’re easy to purchase, and with today’s technology, the risk of toxins in omega-3 supplements are extremely minimal. That is, assuming you choose a high quality brand. It will be more expensive than the numerous generic supplements available, but you pay a premium for safety.

Consuming an adequate amount of Omega-3s is highly beneficial to our ideal health. With the availability of quality {fish oil products}, it has never been easier to get your daily dosage of Omega-3s.

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert, with particular expertise with Fish Oil.

Those that have to deal with psoriasis and eczema will know how tough it can be, but did you know that your diet is playing a large part in your poor skin? Now is the time to do something about it.

Tip 1- Supplements

The simple addition of a couple of supplements into your diet can make a world of difference to your psoriasis and eczema. Many people are already aware of how good blueberry leaves and omega 3 fish oils are, so its worth giving them a go. You can help your skin to repair itself by taking fish oil supplements, so that’s why they are very popular. Something that blueberry leaves offer is a strong natural antioxidant which is fast becoming a popular health choice. If you suffer with psoriasis and eczema, blueberry leaves could be a helpful hint in curing the problem.
As an added bonus, it’s also worth looking into some Kelp supplements. You might just find that Kelp does some good, as it isn’t acidic which is often the problem with many other products, thus resulting in worse cases of psoriasis and eczema.

Tip 2-Love Salad

Unfortunately, if you don’t like salads then you might find this tip quite difficult to follow. It might look like rabbit food, but salad is so very good for you and it contains many natural vitamins that can aid in the skin healing process for your psoriasis and eczema. If you find yourself with bad skin, unhealthy hair or weak fingernails, some big salads can often help. Your skin will heal naturally if you increase your intake of things like fruit and veg. The body feeds off what you put into it, and your psoriasis and eczema won’t heal if you don’t feed yourself key nutrients you find in natural foods.

You’d be forgiven for not knowing exactly what Alfalfa sprouts are, but here is another best kept secret in easing painful skin conditions. Alfalfa sprouts are being referred to as natural steroids. Anyone that has psoriasis and eczema and dreads the itchy and burning sensation can be pleasantly surprised after trying Alfalfa sprouts – their high protein levels help keep the body healthy too. In addition to this, there has also been recent research suggesting that Alfalfa sprouts can be linked to looking younger, reducing the effects of the ageing process – that’s a win-win situation for sure!