If there is one element that takes care of our body-mind structure, it is Omega-3. These fatty acids are healthy fats found in certain foods that we should include in our diet.
Behind this science fiction-sounding name are polyunsaturated fats that can be alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). If we turn to organic chemistry nomenclature, we would be talking, for example, about linolenic acid, which has traditionally been called 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid. These are difficult and unmemorable names that, due to marketing strategies, came to be called Omega-3.
Having revealed the first and most superficial of the secrets of Omega-3, we must mention the most natural and healthy way to achieve adequate levels of this element: the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil, broccoli, sardines, tuna, and anchovies are some of the foods that contain Omega-3. Although we are all aware of the benefits of one of the healthiest diets in the world, we are increasingly moving away from it. Fashion, food prices, and lifestyle are leading us to other types of diets.
A blood test can measure the levels of the two most important Omega-3 acids: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). If both are above 7.5% of all fatty acids present in the blood, the levels are considered acceptable. Below that, the risk of suffering from sleep deprivation to cardiovascular disease increases.
In addition to analysis, there are other signs that indicate low levels of Omega-3, such as dry skin, weak hair, or brittle and fragile nails. Without these fatty acids, our skin cannot absorb certain nutrients that help keep it looking healthy. The same thing happens with the hair follicles that host these fatty acids and strengthen the hair. In addition, Omega-3 helps reduce skin inflammation, including on the scalp, and prevents hair loss.
Sleep problems, lack of concentration, and fatigue can also be symptoms of low Omega-3 levels, as can joint pain, since, as mentioned above, these fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties.
There are specific fatty acid analyses available on the market, such as those offered by Biosalud Day Hospital. This test, which you can do at home, measures how you metabolize food and identifies the cause of deficiencies in vitamins and other components necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
The best-known health risk associated with omega-3 is cardiovascular disease. In other words, adequate levels of omega-3 help prevent heart attacks and high blood pressure, but only in healthy people. People with coronary heart disease will not recover thanks to omega-3; they require other types of treatment. The same is true for people who are at risk of cardiovascular disease for other reasons.
In addition, fatty acids protect against arteriosclerosis and lower the levels of "bad" cholesterol in the body. Omega-3 also helps to lower blood pressure.
Low levels of EPA and DHA also affect our cognitive abilities. In older people with adequate levels of omega-3, the loss of brain volume slows down, and therefore so does brain aging and cognitive decline. It is estimated that we can maintain our memory and reasoning abilities for two years. Studies have also demonstrated the relationship between the volume of omega-3 in the blood and the volume of the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is key in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated by linking them to a lower incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, as explained in this article.
Pregnant women should also pay attention to their Omega-3 levels. This fatty acid has benefits for both the mother and the baby. For the mother, it helps prevent postpartum depression. It also reduces the risk of premature birth and promotes the baby's development: its central nervous system, visual system, and even its immune system, preventing allergies or inflammatory diseases and symptoms.
