Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients. That are essential for maintaining health. They are often touted as health boosters and anti-inflammatory powerhouses and promoted in both foods and supplements.
Even though they are commonly discussed in the health world, you may not know exactly what omega-3s do in the body or why they’re important. Plus, you may wonder how to get enough of them in your diet.
What are Omega-3s?
Omega-3s are fatty acids that are essential nutrients, meaning it’s necessary for humans to get them from foods since the body does not make ทางเข้า ufabet https://ufabet999.app enough of them. From a chemical structural standpoint, omega-3s have a double bond between the third and fourth carbon atoms in their chain. This structure dictates their properties and functions.
Fall under the larger family of polyunsaturated fats. They include three main types: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
EPA and DHA are primarily found in seafood, whereas ALA mostly comes from plant foods. It’s important to get enough of all three. Even though the body can convert ALA into the longer-chain EPA and DHA, it’s not efficient at this conversion.
Functions of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play many important roles for human health. They provide structure to cell membranes, meaning they’re vital for the composition of every cell in the body. In particular, DHA is important for proper vision and nervous system health, as it is found in high concentrations in the cells of the retina and brain.
In addition, the body can use omega-3s for energy and to create chemical messengers. Eicosanoids are messengers create that partake in functions related to the immune and cardiovascular systems. In these roles, they help to balance inflammatory activity in the body. This is why are often describe as anti-inflammatory.