Omega 3 for Wellness and Prevention

Omega Sufficiency Fish Oil (Lemon Flavor)

The role of Omega-3 EFAs (specifically EPA and DHA) in the promotion of health and the prevention of illness has been studied a great deal in recent years.  Both scientists and practitioners are celebrating the results that have been found to date and with every research study the importance of EFAs for health promotion and illness prevention becomes more evident.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) are some of the most crucial essential nutrients for human and other animal health ever identified.  Over 2000 scientific studies provide evidence of the importance of EPA and DHA essential fatty acids for the maintenance and restoration of health and the prevention of disease. 

Omega 3 EFAs are extremely important in the structure and function of every cell in the body and the function of your cells is what determines your health.  Your cells are what determine your immune function, healing, hormone levels, heart function, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, digestion, moods etc.  Literally, the function and health of your cells determines every aspect of your health. EPA and DHA omega 3 EFAs are part of every cell membrane and are required to maintain the proper shape, flexibility or fluidity, and slipperiness of cell membranes.
 
The flexibility and slipperiness of cell membranes is important for the flow of blood through blood vessels and decreasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. This fluidity or flexibility of cell membranes is also crucial to ensure the proper flow of nutrients into cells as well as the proper shape of cell receptors for hormones such as insulin.

In addition, EFAs are required for proper nerve signal transmission (memory, concentration, cognitive ability, muscle coordination and strength) and immune function including defence against cancer.  This is why EPA and DHA deficiency are linked with cognitive impairments and learning and behaviour disabilities such as ADHD, with depression, and with decreased cognitive ability and increased risk of Alzheimers and dementia in the elderly. EPA and DHA deficiency is also highly correlated with increased risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. 

EPA and DHA omega 3 EFAs also play a major role in regulating inflammation via substances called prostaglandins.  EPA and DHA Omega 3 fatty acids produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins while Omega 6 fatty acids produce pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Having a diet that is toxic with Omega 6 or deficient in Omega 3 EFAs creates a pro-inflammatory state within the body.  This is very significant because inflammation is at the root of virtually all of the common chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression as well as the autoimmune and atopic diseases such as arthritis, Crohns Disease, irritable bowel, psoriasis, eczema, allergies, fibromyalgia, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.  Inflammation is also a major factor in dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain and/or cramping), headaches, and back and neck pain.

Omega 3 EFAs play a role in virtually every human function including growth and development, digestion, brain and nerve function, immune function, hormone production and regulation, maintenance of skin and bones, regulation of healing and  inflammation, heart function, vision, cholesterol levels, and even emotions and behaviour.

This is why consuming sufficient amounts of Omega 3 EFAs has been shown to help people with so many different illnesses.  In reality consuming sufficient amounts of Omega 3 EFAs will help anyone that is deficient in Omega 3 EFAs whether they have a diagnosed illness or not.  The fact of the matter is that everyone needs Omega 3 EFAs and due to dietary practices virtually everyone in Western society is deficient.  Without these essential nutrients cells cannot function properly and illness is inevitable even though it may take years before symptoms arise.   

This does not mean that a deficiency in Omega 3 EFAs is the only cause of all illness; that would be an unscientific and illogical claim.  However, it does absolutely mean that if someone is deficient in Omega 3 EFAs their cell function and thus their health is compromised and will be improved when they begin to consume sufficient amounts this is an indisputable scientific fact.  Obviously if Omega 3 EFAs are needed for proper cell function and cell function determines our health then Omega 3 EFAs are a significant determining factor in health.  This is exactly what research indicates.

The above information is why we stress the importance of consuming Omega 3 EFAs BEFORE illness develops.  It is both dangerous and illogical to wait until illness develops to begin to take care of yourself or your children or your pets!  How can we PREVENT ILLNESS or PROMOTE HEALTH if we wait until we are already ill before we take action?

Source: http://www.innatechoice.com/omegasufficiency.cfm