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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

What are omega-3 fatty acids

Definition
Essential for human health, omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are produced by the body and must be obtained in the diet of a person.

Purpose
The consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids is part of a healthy diet and help people maintain their health.

Description
In recent years, much attention has focused on the value of a diet low in fat. In some cases. People in this opinion to the extreme by adopting a diet low in fat, or worse, a regime that has no fat, but the truth is that not all fats are bad. Although trans fats and saturated fats found in large amounts in red meat, butter, whole milk and some canned foods, have proven that the person's total cholesterol, polyunsaturated fatty acids may play a role in maintaining low cholesterol . Two are particularly good omega-3 and omega-6, which are polyunsaturated.

Two types of omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found primarily in fish from cold water and hydrocarbons, such as tuna, salmon, trout, herring, sardines,
bass, swordfish and mackerel. With the exception of algae, most plants do not contain EPA and DHA. However, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), another type of omega-3 fatty acids found in green leafy vegetables, flaxseed, fish oil, canola oil, nuts, beans and nuts, and soybeans. The enzymes in the body of a person can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids and used by the body.

Many experts agree that it is important for a healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 to maintain. As Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton and colleagues reported in an article published in the American Journal of Nutrition, excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids results in a change in diet unhealthy American diet. The authors note that it was a 1:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6, is now estimated at a ratio of 10:1. This poses a problem, researchers said, because eating some of the benefits of omega-3 acids are denied by an excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory, while omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. Oils, cereals, bread, margarine and vegetable oils such as corn, peanut and sunflower oil are examples of omega-6 fatty acids. In addition, people consume omega-6 fatty acids simply by eating meat from animals fed with grains rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Some experts suggest that drinking 1-4 times more omega-6 fatty acids omega 3, which is a fair share. In other words, often nutrition experts say the key to a healthy diet is moderation and balance.


The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

there is strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids a person against atherosclerosis andtherefore against heart disease and stroke, arrhythmia, cardiac and sudden cardiac death, and possibly autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis protection issues. Indeed. The doctors Dean Ornish and Mehmet Oz, renowned heart specialist, according to a 2002 article published in the journal, the benefits of consuming adequate daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to sudden cardiac death is reduced by almost 50 %. In fact, in an article in American Family Physician, Dr. Maggie Covington, assistant clinical professor at the University of Maryland, also emphasized the value of health and tocardiovascular omega-3 refers to a major clinical trial to date, the GISSI-Prevenzione, To illustrate his point of view. In the study, 11,324 patients with coronary artery disease into four groups: one received 300 mg of vitamin E, a group of 850 mg of omega-3 fatty acids was one group received vitamin E and fatty acids, and a control group served as . After a little over three years, "the group that the omega-3 had only a 45% reduction in sudden death and a 20% reduction in mortality from all causes" Dr. Covington.


According to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the omega-3 fatty acids can reduce heart disease is still under investigation. However, the AHA says that research shows that omega-3:

  • Reduce the risk of arrthythmias which can lead to sudden cardiac death
  • Decreased triglycerides  
  • To reduce the growth of atherosclerotic plaque 
  • Low blood pressure slightly
In fact, several studies have shown that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids not only the bad cholesterol known as LDL, but also reduced triglycerides, the fatty substance that circulates in the blood. Interestingly, researchers found that cholesterol Inuit tend to be very good, despite the fact that they have a diet high in fat. The reason for this research found that diets rich in fatty fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids. The same has been said many times over the Mediterranean-style diet.

Are said to reduce inflammation in the joints, more omega-3 fatty acids have been the subject of numerous studies trying to validate its efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. According to a lot of research on supplements of omega-3 fatty acids are clearly effective in reducing symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, such as softness and stiffness. In some cases, reducing the amount of drug in patients with rheumatoid arthritis found.


More research is needed on the effectiveness of omega-3 to improve the treatment of eating disorders, the attention deficit disorder and depression. Some studies have shown that children with behavioral problems and ADHD is less than the normal amount of omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies. But until more data on these key areas to be a conservative approach, particularly when changes in the diet of a child. Parents should talk with your child's pediatrician to determine whether to add more omega-3 fatty acids to feed your child is eligible. In addition, parents of special care to avoid feeding their children fish rich in mercury. The list of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from a nutritionist.


The mercury content and security

media attention focused on the high concentrations of mercury in some fish. People who deal with the content of fish consumption and mercury can consult public opinion on the subject published by the U.S. Organization and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. special precautions for children and pregnant or nursing. They are informed about sharks, mackerel, swordfish and tilefish occur. However, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, stressed the importance of subsistence fishing. Fish, warn not to be removed from the diet. In fact, said Robert Oh, MD, in his 2005 paper, published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Practice "The potential health benefits of fish, women of childbearing age are encouraged to eat 1-2 meals of low-mercury fish a week. "


other security problems were also reported fish. In 2004, Hites and colleagues assessed the salmon organic pollutants in an article published in the journal Science. They concluded that farmed salmon had higher levels of public interest of polychlorinated wild salmon and a response from the American Cancer Society is desired. Fish farming in Europe is at higher levels of mercury in salmon in North America and South America, but American Cancer Society said the levels "of toxic Hites and his colleagues found in salmon is even lower than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food, sounds dangerous. "The American Cancer Society continues to promote a healthy and varied diet that includes fish as a food source.


The recommended dose

AHA recommends that people with two servings of fish such as tuna or salmon for lunch at least twice a week. A person with coronary disease, according to the AHA, should consume one gram of omega-3 fatty acids per day through food intake, preferably fatty fish consumption. AHA also says that "people with high triglyceride levels may be 2 to 4 grams of EPA and DHA in a daily supplement is a liquid orcapsule. Broken or crushed flaxseed can be easily incorporated into the diet of a person spray salads, soups and cereals.


Several sources, but here are some common examples:

  • 3 grams of pickled herring = 1.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids 
  • 3 oz salmon = 1.3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids  
  • 3 ounces of halibut = 1.0 grams of omega-3    
  • 3 ounces of mackerel = 1.6 grams of omega-3
1 teaspoon 1 / 2 cup = 3 grams of flaxseed omega-3 fatty acids

Precautions

In early 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the Environmental Protection Agency issued a statement that women who are pregnant or may be, and nursing mothers and children should avoid eating certain species of fish oil contains high levels of mercury. Fish in general, high levels of mercury are swordfish, shark and mackerel, and shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon and catfish are generally low in mercury. How many people go fishing as a hobby, she must be secured before eating fish caught by family and friends to the stream or lake is considered low in mercury.


There is conflicting information, if it is safe for patients with macular degeneration in omega-3 fatty acids taken in supplement form. Until more data become available, it is preferable for people with macular degeneration associated with its omega-3 fatty acids to receive the food they eat.

Side effects
The fish oil supplements can cause diarrhea and gas. The fish oil capsules tend to have a taste of the fish.


Interaction
Although no significant drug interactions associated with the consumption of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, patients treated with anticoagulants should not omega-3 supplements without consulting your doctor. Can cause excessive bleeding. For the same reason, some patients requiring more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids in supplement form must seek prior approval from your doctor.

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