Whether you have seen the word ‘Omega-3’ at the grocery store or read about it in an article (such as this one!), this word may not be new to you. These fats are often referred to as PUFA’s and considered to be “good fats” with an array of health benefits and we are constantly reminded that they are good for our health. But what exactly are these fats and how do they contribute to our health?
Omega-3 is the word given to a whole family of essential fats or “fatty acids” which serve important roles in our body. The parent omega-3 is called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an essential fatty acid for humans, meaning that we need to get it from our diet since we cannot make it in our bodies. If you can picture it, from the smallest level of a cell in our body, omega-3s are embedded in the cell membranes, outside and inside the cell, being particularly rich in the cells of our brain, eyes and heart.1 These fats play a structural role in our membranes and are used to provide important signal substances that balance and regulate our immune system. This in turn helps to ensure that our bodies inflammatory response remains controlled.1,2 Simply said omega-3s are absolutely vital to the structure and working of our bodies.Read More
