Is Omega-3 the best health food supplement?

by Norway Omega | 08/08/2021 | Blog

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There are many food supplements out there nowadays, but today we want to talk in more detail about omega-3 supplements and the variety of positive effects they can have on both your body, and mind.

Omega-3 supplements are also called fish oil and come in either liquid form or in small, easy to take capsules. Capsules make it easy to keep track of how much supplement you’ve already taken and the air tight gelatine also helps to protect the supplement from going rancid  fast when it comes in contact with the oxygen in the air.

What are the benefits of omega-3?

Omega-3s are a specific type of fatty acids that are essential for our body. When we talk about omega-3 supplements the relevant omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are long chain fatty acids and are so-called essential fatty acids, which means that our body cannot produce them itself, but we rely on getting them through our diet. Most adults and children do not consume sufficient omega-3 in their regular diet, so taking an omega-3 supplement can be an easy way, to benefit from the many positive impacts these fats can have on you.

The benefits for children

Kids benefit from omega-3 even before they are born, studies showing that EPA and DHA are important for fetal development, as well as brain function and the immune system of small children. Omega-3s have been shown to be essential for the development and proper functioning of the central nervous and cardiovascular system, as well as eye function. This applies to both adults and kids of course! You can read more about the benefits of omega-3 for kids here.

Olympians use Omega-3

One of our very own ambassadors, Barnabé Delarze has just recently competed in the Olympics in Tokyo! Omega-3 capsules are an essential part of his diet during training and make a big difference to how he feels when he is intensely training for a competition. He takes up to 14 capsules a day to meet his body’s demands and can tell, that whenever he doesn’t take the capsules for a few weeks, he feels a difference in his joints. “My joints feel healthier when I take my omega-3”, he says to sum it up.

But there are many other benefits to any kind of athlete, when taking omega-3 on a regular basis: Omega-3 has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can therefore support your muscles in their recovery which can potentially lead you to be back on track faster after an injury or an intense session. These fatty acids have even been shown to contribute to the protein synthesis in our muscles, which means that they might influence the growth and repair of your muscles after exercise.

Swiss Olympic rower, Barnabé Delarze

Omega-3 and heart health

EPA and DHA are most commonly associated with their positive effect on our heart. A lot of research suggests, that people who consume sufficient amounts of omega-3 may have less plaque buildup in their arteries, which can reduce the risk of a heart attack and stroke.

The mechanisms behind this are complex, but there is more and more evidence that increased omega-3 intake can have a variety of benefits for our cardiovascular system. It seems to impact the levels of triglycerides and may even improve the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol levels. Of course, omega-3 is no wonder cure, but there seem to be many positive correlations between the intake of omega-3s and the benefits mentioned above.

 

Krill oil and fish oil – differences and similarities

You have probably heard about “fish oil” as a source of omega-3, but did you know, that there is another option out there? Krill oil is made from the small crustacean called Antarctic krill and has risen in popularity in recent years. It contains the same omega-3 fats like fish oil, but has the added benefit of containing a strong natural antioxidant called Astaxanthin.

What are the benefits of krill oil?

This gives the krill oil its red color and adds some extra protection from free radicals to your omega-3 supplement, making it even more powerful! Because of its high degree of purity, krill oil requires less processing than regular fish oil and is therefore considered a whole food. It contains the same fatty acids as fish oil, that is EPA and DHA, but with the added benefit of the antioxidant it naturally contains. It can be used to treat dry eyes, has a positive impact on cardiovascular health and many other conditions.

 

Why omega-3 is one of the best supplements

The fatty acids EPA and DHA we’ve already talked about below are the main components of omega-3 supplements and are the reason for the many health benefits of said supplements!

New studies even go as far as to say that they have been linked to healthy aging throughout life, have been associated with fetal development and may even affect aspects of cardiovascular function like inflammation, major coronary events and peripheral artery disease.

So really, it seems that omega-3 fatty acids can add a positive contribution to your health, no matter your age. This is what makes them such a valuable supplement, as the benefits are not only limited to a specific demographic.

 

Conclusion

Now you know why omega-3s are a very wholesome supplement and why everybody should consider taking it on a regular basis.

It has a lot of positive impacts on a variety of bodily functions and can even our mental health! Here is a quick summary of the top 5 benefits of omega-3

  • A strong natural anti-inflammatory
  • Important for brain health and development in kids and adults
  • Can help your muscles recover faster from exercise
  • Can improve heart health
  • Omega-3s can support your immune system

If you are curious and want to learn more, check out our blog for more interesting articles or browse our Shop to discover our range of high-quality omega-3 fish oil and krill oil products.