Omega 3 is the latest buzz in the health and fitness industry. Doctors and researchers all over the world recommend the intake of Omega 3 to treat a wide variety of diseases.

While most of us have heard something or the other about these remarkable fatty acids, we are not sure about a lot of things concerning Omega 3. This article will deal with what’s, why’s and how’s of Omega 3 fatty acids.

What is Omega 3?

Omega 3 is the name given to a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids or essential fatty acids. There are mainly three types of essential fatty acids – Alpha-Linolenic acids (ALA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

The Alpha-linolenic acids break into DHA and EPA during the process of digestion, since these two fatty acids are most utilized by the body. Omega 3 or the essential fatty acids are vital for the healthy functioning of all organs but they cannot be synthesized by the body.

Sources of Omega 3

Dietary sources of ALA include dark green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed oil and Soya. DHA and EPA are found in oily fishes such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines. The richest source of Omega 3 is considered to be fish oil since it consists of both DHA and EPA.

This brings us to a very important question. Why do you need fish oil or Omega 3 supplements, when you could just eat fish regularly as a part of your daily diet?

Eating fish regularly can lead to deposition of toxins like mercury, metals etc in your body. This is because most of the rivers, seas and other water resources are becoming more and more polluted each day. However, fish oil supplements that are molecularly distilled are safe for daily consumption.

Molecular distillation is the process through which all toxins and contaminants are removed from fish oil at the manufacturing stage. Make sure you buy molecularly distilled, pharmaceutical brand Omega 3 supplements to ensure their purity.

Why do I need Omega 3 fatty acids?

Omega 3 fatty acids are the building blocks of our cell membranes and neurological system. They play a crucial role in many functions of the body. There are endless reasons why you should make these essential fatty acids a part of your diet.

Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the Triglyceride level in the blood and protect against cardio-vascular diseases.

They prevent the platelets from clogging and control the cholesterol levels in the blood. It helps in maintaining a radiant, clear and healthy skin.

Pregnant women are advised to take fish oil supplements which help in the healthy development of brain and retina in the infant.

Fish oil helps in fighting against eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems.

Fish oils act as antidepressants which is why they are used to treat diseases like depression and schizophrenia.

Thus, for a healthy heart and mind, it is essential that you make Omega 3 a part of your daily diet.

By: Micheal Thomas
Micheal Thomas is an editor for a series of health related websites. Learn about the best fish oil capsules that we ourselves use daily after extensive product comparisons and research over at http://www.omega-3-fish-benefits.com.

In recent studies, consuming green tea on a daily basis has shown to promote weight-loss. Now that doesn't mean if you drink 10 glasses of green tea a day, you'll be 100lbs lighter by the end of the week. It doesn't happen like that. Burning fat and losing weight takes a multitude of factors towards reaching your goals. These factors include your exercise routine, diet, sleeping patterns, etc etc. All these factors come together, but within this article I will tell you how green tea can be beneficial towards your weight-loss goals and also tell you why it should be included in your diet.

If you're a big tea drinker like myself, you should know that green tea has several fat and caloric burning characteristics. With these characteristics, green tea contains the following compounds: Theanine, Catechins, Flavonoids, and Tannins. All of which contain anti-oxidant and medicinal properties. These anti-oxidant properties are able to prevent certain cancers. Green tea also contains epigallocatechin gallate (ECCG). You may have seen the abbreviation ECCG on a few bottled products, and if you've been wondering what it is...Basically ECCG has been known to act as an appetite suppressant. With this, it'll help you crave less for certain foods you desire most and help you lose weight at the same time. The consumption of green tea will also speed up your metabolic rate for burning calories. And as some of you may know, the more calories that are burned the better! Green tea is also known to burn a certain harmful fat called visceral fat which is linked to diabetes.

There's also a group of polyphenols called Catechins that green tea extract contains. The ingesting of Catechins will help lower body fat and also decrease cholesterol levels. In scientific studies, it's been researched that the consumption of green tea will actually prevent from fat cells enlarging and multiplying. Thus, another reason why you should drink green tea. And as another weight-loss benefit, one cup of green tea usually only contains about four calories and is a great alternative to coffee as green tea also contains caffeine. From time to time, try to slow down on the coffee intake and replace it with a cup of tea. A cup of green tea will have more healthy benefits from consumption compared to coffee. As coffee will contain an unnecessary amount of sugars and calories that will only slow down your progression of losing weight.

As you've read, green tea has proven itself to have many weight-loss characteristics and as well as a couple other health benefits. If you're wanting to start drinking more green tea, I would recommend you brewing it yourself. Because I have yet to find a bottled product that does not contain a high amount of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). And by brewing it yourself, you can avoid consuming an unnecessary amount of sugars. Thank you for giving the time to read this article, and I hope you take it highly into consideration of including green tea to your diet!

By: Brian I Park
Get more information about Weight Loss, Visit The Biggest Loser Portal Site.

You've heard about the good fats and the bad fats, saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Can't keep them straight, between what you're supposed to eat and what you can? Unfortunately, many people who are dieting eliminate all fats altogether, which is as unhealthy as what they were previously putting into their body.

We're here to help you make sense of one variety - the Omega-3 fatty acids, which offer immeasurable health benefits. Doctors and scientists are still only scratching the surface of the power of Omega-3. Including more of this essential nutrient in your diet will award you better health. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fats are the healthy kind of fat that should be part of your regular diet.

Many of those who suffer from inflammation due to their arthritis, asthma, allergies or a number of other diseases have reaped the benefit of Omega-3 fatty acids, a known anti-inflammatory.

Scientists and doctors are finding new uses for Omega-3 all the time. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week because of the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease. Ongoing research points that Omega-3 may help combat autism, low birth rate and psychological disorders, to name a few.

Other areas of study on the effects of Omega-3 include, but are not limited to:

Diabetes, Menstrual cramps, Asthma, Burns, and High cholesterol

Unfortunately our Western diet just doesn't include enough of this essential nutrient. Good sources of this essential fatty acid come primarily from certain kinds of seafood, like salmon, albacore tuna, herring and shellfish. Flax is the next best source of Omega-3, an alternative for vegetarians. While our body can convert flax into these types of acid, seafood is recommended over it. Since scientists and doctors have praised the fatty acid, many different types of foods are now enriched with Omega-3, from bread to yogurt to baby food, to just name a few. Again, while they do contain the nutrient, it's best to take it straight from the source.

It is advisable to talk to your physician before taking any supplement.

By: Andrew Wroblewski
For additional information on the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids, please visit Omega Daily.