Omega 3 - Miracle Oils?

We all know that fats are bad for us and we should cut down on all of them—right? Wrong! There are some fats that are essential to our health and overall well being. These are omega 3 oils.

So what is so special about this group of fats found predominantly in fish?

First of all they are polyunsaturated and contain essential fatty acids. Research has shown that omega 3 can help protect us against:

• cardiac disease
• cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• depression

Researchers working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center state that DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), primary components of fish oil, provide substantial protection against coronary heart disease. The study involved more tha 6000 middle-aged men who had samples of their blood taken between 1973 and 1976. During the next seven years, 94 of these men had a heart attack or died suddenly due to heart disease.

It was discovered that those with heart disease tended to have a higher serum level of the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (palmitic acid is the main saturated fatty acid in most diets). This acid is known to cause an increase in cholesterol levels. The researchers also determined that men with a higher blood level of the Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, DPA and DHA had an almost 50 percent lower risk of developing heart disease than did men with lower levels. Furthermore, the researchers found that men with coronary heart disease tended to have a higher serum level of Omega-6 fatty acids derived from linoleic acid.

The British Heart Foundation and and the American Heart Association positively recommend an increased intake in omega 3 oils.

Omega 3 and Children
Research has shown that omega 3 oils can be beneficial for children too. Apart from the fact that a lack of them in the mother can lead to premature birth and low birth weight, there is also a theory that a lack of DHA, one of the main constituents of omega 3 oils, may be implicated in pre-eclampsia in pregnant women as well as post natal depression.

At the University of Sydney in Australia researchers discovered that children who eat fresh fish regularly have a much lower risk of getting asthma and other researchers link higher levels of omega 3 oils with a lower incidence of hyperactivity.

Omega 3 and the Brain
A new programme called The Human Mind on BBC television started last week presented by Professor Robert Winston. It looked at the case of a nine year old boy who was significantly behind his classmates in his school work and achievements. He was also lacking in energy and motivation, preferring to watch TV when at home rather than doing anything more challenging.

Over the past year he was part of a study of 100 children who took a omega 3 oil capsule once a day. The change in the boy has been astonishing. He now has no problems with his school work and actually enjoys reading more than watching television.

Similar changes in some other children in the study were seen by the researchers.

The theory is that another constituent of omega 3, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), may be instrumental in improving brain function simply by increasing the blood supply. EPAs are also believed to have a beneficial affect on the auto immune system and hormones.

Sources of Omega 3 Oils
The main sources of omega 3 are:

• oily fish like mackerel
• flaxseed oil
• walnut oil
• fish oil supplements

With all the benefits of omega 3 oils, it seems like folly to ignore them so why isn't everybody eating fish at least two or three times a week? I can tell you that I do and have done for at least a year.