Here’s a list of 7 reasons why you may want to choose building up your omega 3 stores:

1. Bye, Bye Depression

Studies have confirmed (if you care about what studies say!) that omega 3 oils can decrease the symptoms of depression. Most research points to the EPA and DHA as the factors that contribute to getting you in a better mood.

Omega 3 oils have also been effective for helping new moms with postpartum depression. The process of pregnancy can leave a mom pretty depleted of many nutrients and omega 3 oils is one that can help once the baby is born.

Some studies show that up to 90%+ are deficient in omega 3 oils, so imagine how much better we’d all feel if we just made a conscious effort to eat more walnuts… maybe world peace?

2. Smooth, Supple Skin.

Omega 3 oils are essential for healthy skin. Using these oils internally can help build strong and plump skin cells that give you a glow that no cosmetic can match.

You can use these oils externally as well to protect and feed your skin, since this massive organ loves to feed itself with healthy oils.

3. Lift Brain Fog.

But, just like omega 3 oils are great to help change you from depressed to happy, they’re also great to help lift your mood.

Think of it this way…

60% of your brain is fat.

The majority of that are essential fatty acids.

So if you’re deficient, then you’re brain just won’t work properly.

With your essential fatty acids, if you don’t give your brain enough, then your thinking conditions change just as dramatically.

4. Ease joint pain.

I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard about omega 3 oils improving joint pain.

It even worked for me.

Before I started experimenting with omega 3 oils, my knees would ache badly after a run. It wasn’t overuse pain, though. It was a deep aching inside my joints.

I thought maybe this was the start of a transition into my older age, but I started to take omega 3 oils based on a suggestion from a colleague and the pain went away in weeks.

It never came back.

So apparently, there’s something to this…

Try it for yourself and see.

5. Prevent Cancer Cell Growth

Your level of inflammation is one of the biggest factors you can use to predict your chances of disease.

People with higher levels of inflammation are more likely to have heart issues, diabetes, and cancer. Thermography is a screening tool that you can use to see if you have excessive inflammation in the body and some preliminary data shows that it’s a decent indicator of identifying the risk of cancer as well.

Lower your inflammation, lower your chances of disease.

6. Boost your immune system.

Just like above, if you can reduce inflammation, you also can boost your immune system.

By reducing the inflammation in the body, you also increase immune system efficiency. Increasing omega-3 fatty acids will give you a higher amount of eicosanoids which are responsible for regulating immune and inflammation responses.

7. Lower your risk of heart disease.

Omega 3 oils have been shown to lower triglycerides which are fats in the blood. This is good news for anyone who has a high risk of heart disease.

Lower fat in the blood allows your hormones to function properly and keeps your arteries safe from potential clogging.

What are the best sources of Omega 3 Oils?

There are many places to get your omega 3 oils and it’s up to you to find out which one works best for you.

Decisions that you need to make are if you want plant sources or animal sources (or both) and if your body is actually able to absorb and use the kind you’re taking. (Plant sources many times require conversion in the body that some people do better than others.)

Food sources of omega 3 fatty acids include…

Plant Sources:

• Walnuts
• Algae
• Sacha Inchi
• Flax Seeds
• Chia Seeds

Non-Plant Sources:

• Fish
• Krill
• Eggs

Please note: Farm raised fish usually have little omega 3 oils due to a primarily corn feed diet. This is the same for non-grass feed beef.

Depending on your diet choice, be sure to eat enough omega 3’s daily from whole foods.

Source:Renegade Health Article

The Benefits
There are many health benefits from eating seafood. It is an exceptional source of high quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals, but is generally low in calories, saturated fat and sodium. Many varieties of fish contain the very beneficial polyunsaturated fat called Omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight heart disease and stroke by lowering blood pressure and triglycerides. New research is beginning to show that these healthy fats may also reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, asthma and colitis, as well as help treat depression and bipolar disease.

The Dangers
For most individuals, commercial fish and recreationally caught fish are safe to eat. However, many fish contain varying levels of substances that are thought to be toxic to the body. These substances include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methylmercury (MeHg).

• According to the US Department of Agriculture, farm-raised salmon have a higher overall fat content than wild salmon, yet both varieties are similar in Omega-3 content. Since farm-raised salmon contain more fat, they may be contaminated with more PCBs and other pollutants and pesticides. Farm-raised salmon are also fed fishmeal that may be contaminated with PCBs.
• Methylmercury occurs naturally in the environment and nearly all fish contain traces of it. Larger fish, such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish contain the highest amounts.

Guidelines for Those at Risk 
While most fish are safe to eat, consumption of some types of fish may present serious health concerns for women who might become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. Therefore, the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency have issued the following guidelines for these individuals. By following these guidelines, these women and young children can receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish, yet reduce their exposure to the harmful toxins:

• Do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
• Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Five of the most common are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
• Another commonly eaten fish is albacore (white) tuna, but it has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
• Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local water, but do not consume any other fish during that week.
• To reduce exposure to PCBs, trim the fat before broiling, baking, or grilling fish. All of these methods are preferable to frying because they enable the PCB content in the fat to cook off.
• Though more costly, choosing wild and canned Alaskan salmon over farmed-raised salmon will help to decrease the PCB contamination.
• When feeding fish and shellfish to young children follow the guidelines listed above, but serve smaller, child-size portions.

General Guidelines for Others 
Don’t be scared away from the vast fish and seafood smorgasbord. Indeed, nothing in life is risk-free. Limit the "big fish" (shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish), enjoy tuna in moderation, and watch for local fish advisories. Reel in and enjoy the rest, for you can’t beat the taste and healthy benefits!

Adapted from Casting your net on seafood safety
Also read Fish Safety List

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