I’m sure you’ve heard of omega 3 fatty acids. They’re talked about all the time. We all know that they’re good for us and that we need to make sure we get enough of them. What are these omega 3 fatty acids anyway? Why should you care if you get enough of them? Where the heck do you get them from?

Omega 3 fatty acids are known as essential fatty acids because they’re essential to your health. They are necessary for controlling the clotting of your blood and building cell membranes. There are 3 types of omega 3 fatty acids–alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The body converts ALA’s into EPA’s and DHA’s that your body can use. These fatty acids are not manufactured by the human body so you have to get them from the foods you eat and suplements. They do a lot for your body including:

• Reduce bad fats in the blood stream
• Reduces inflammation
  
• Stops arteries from thickening
• Helps prevent cancer cell growth

Omega 3′s are used to treat:

• Heart disease
• Joint Pain
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Dry, itchy skin
• Bipolar disorder
• Alzemhiers

Now that you know what they’re good for you probably want to know where to get them, right?

• Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, sadrines, anchovies)
• Walnuts
• Flaxseeds
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Collard greens
• Brussel sprouts

Eating these foods on a regular basis will help you get the omega 3′s you need. If you think you need more you might want to consider a supplement. You can take fish oil, cod liver oil, krill oil or flaxseed oil supplements.

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