Omega-3 fatty acids may appear like some giant intimidating term scientists discuss, but it's actually really easy. They're nutrients, like carbs and proteins and whatnot. The name Omega-3 comes from the type and shape of the molecules that it's composed of. Like all nutrients, we obtain them from the foods that we eat. Fish is typically where we can get {a great deal|most|much of} our Omega 3 fatty acid needs; or perhaps I should say, where we don't get our needs. See, most people don't eat enough fish to get the necessary Omega 3s. Very often, people usually get their Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil capsules.

I know that most of you might think "fatty acids" and automatically assume that it's detrimental for your health, but that's not true. In the 70s, researchers studying the Intuit people in Greenland discovered that even if they took in significant quantities of fatty acids from the seafood they consumed, they had very minimal rates of heart disease. The US FDA finally recognized the connection between good fatty acids and cardiovascular health back in 2004, giving a "qualified health claim" status to good fatty acids like Omega-3s.

So what makes these Omega-3s so special? Well, Omega-3s are a kind of essential fatty acid, or EFA. EFAs are vital to our bodies to function effectively. That's the reason they're titled "essential" fatty acids and not optional fatty acids. If we don't obtain sufficient EFAs, we run the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and many other chronic conditions. Some research has also demonstrated that a lack of EFAs could lead to depression and weight gain. EFAs also support brain function and development, especially in kids. You know how many people say fish is brain food? They're talking about the essential fatty acids in fish.

There are multiple types of EFAs, though. You have the Omega-3s which you find mostly in fish, and the Omega-6s which are found in vegetable oils. Anti-inflammatory Omega-3s keep the inflammatory Omega-6s balanced. The best ratio is 1:2, but most diets generally lead to a gross imbalance, with a large number of Americans getting a ratio of one Omega-3 to 20 Omega-6s!. This leads to a condition called silent inflammation. There are no symptoms for this until it's too late and various chronic diseases start affecting your body, so it's better to make sure you're getting adequate Omega-3s in your diet. This is where fish oils really make a difference.

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

Like I said before, the majority of people don't consume enough fish to get an adequate quantity of Omega-3s. This is because our diets have become so that we don't really eat much fish anymore. In addition, we're going to need to eat a excessive amount of fish to get the amount of Omega-3s we need. Not to mention the risk of toxins in the fish. With modern pollution, you can't ever be positive. Fish oil supplements are a preferred alternative over eating a boatload of fish. They're easy to purchase, and with today's technological advances, the risk of toxins in fish oils are extremely minimal. That is, provided you buy a high quality brand. It will be pricier than the many generic products available, but you pay a premium for purity.

Consuming an adequate quantity of Omega-3s is very beneficial to our good health. With the availability of quality {fish oil products}, it has never been simpler to get your daily dose of Omega-3s.

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert, with particular expertise with Omega-3 Benefits.

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