Omega-3s are known to help improve cardiovascular and cognitive health. The fatty acids are also known to help reduce inflammation. Since your body cannot produce omega-3s on its own, adding them to your diet or increasing intake with supplements is very common. Most people take fish oil to boost their omega-3s. Taking these factors into consideration, we set out to learn more about potential benefits, evaluate side effects and understand whether omega-3s are right for your body.
What are omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat, are an essential part of the human diet. Unlike other fats that the body is capable of synthesizing (called non-essential fatty acids), omega-3s can't be made from scratch. They're vital for various bodily processes, such as making hormones for blood clotting, artery contraction and relaxation and genetic functions. In other words, we need omega-3s, and we can only get them from food or supplements. There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids:
Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA
Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA
Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA
Adding omega-3s to your diet
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