How Do I Know If I'm Getting Enough Omega 3?

We hear about Omega 3 all the time and yet manynecessary for efficient brain function on a day to day
people still don't know why it's so important for theirbasis. It's not surprising then that many people suffering
physical and mental health or whether or not they arefrom depression or other mental health problems have
getting enough in their regular diet.been found to have low levels of EPA in their blood.
The fact is, most people in the West are not gettingThe problem becomes much worse when we
enough Omega 3 and at the same time arecompare the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 in our diet.
consuming far too much Omega 6. These twoThe Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio
important nutrients are essential for our health and asOmega 3 is anti-inflammatory, it thins the blood and it
the body cannot produce them they have to beinhibits tumor growth. Omega 6 does exactly the
sourced from our diet. Most of us have no problemopposite. So imagine what will happen to your physical
getting the required amount of Omega 6 as it isand mental health if you are consuming plenty of
present in vegetable oils, processed foods, dairyOmega 6 and not enough Omega 3? Some scientists
products and meat. However, the same cannot bewill go as far as saying it is this imbalance between
said for Omega 3.Omega 3 and Omega 6 that is responsible for
In order to understand why we aren't getting enoughpractically all the health problems we see today.
of this essential nutrient, despite the fact that we comeEarly signs you are lacking in Omega 3?
across products in the supermarket claiming they areFirst of all, if you don't eat fish and are not taking fish oil
high in Omega 3 fats, we need to look at the differentthen your are most likely not getting anywhere near
types of Omegas that are available.enough Omega 3 in your diet. Other early indications
The Omega 3 fatty acidsthat you are not getting enough of omega 3 include
There are three main essential fatty acids that makethe following:
up the Omega 3 family and these are Alpha linolenic- Often feeling tired and fatigued
acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and- Dry and flaky or itchy skin
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA can be found in- Feeling depressed
leafy green vegetables, some vegetable oils and nuts- Poor circulation
but both EPA and DHA are only really found in fatty- Inflammation
fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna, swordfish- Dry and lifeless hair
and sardines.- Nail problems
In theory our bodies can convert ALA into EPA and- Inability to concentrate or focus
DHA but in practice this is not the case as scientists- Poor memory
have discovered that our ability to convert ALA intoResearchers now believe that a lack of Omega 3
EPA and DHA is severely limited and could be as lowover an extended period of time can lead to more
as 5 percent or less. This means that no matter howserious health problems. Taking fish oil on a daily basis
much Omega 3 we consume in the ALA form, we willmay boost your immune system, reduce inflammation,
never be able to get the amount of EPA and DHAimprove brain function, and help prevent depression,
we could get from eating fish and therein lays thearthritis, heart disease and even some types of
problem.cancer.
These days it isn't advisable to eat too much fish asIf you are experiencing health problems and think it
they can be heavily polluted with mercury, dioxins andmay be due to a lack of Omega 3 in your diet it's
other toxins. Unfortunately it is EPA and DHA that weimportant to speak to your doctor for advice before
need to gain the enormous health benefits offered bytaking any action yourself in order to accurately
Omega 3.diagnose any problems you are having and to rule out
Although DHA is important for the structure andany contraindications there may be to you taking fish
development of the brain and eyesight, it is EPA that isoil.