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Living Well

Fight Inflammation With Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Aug 31, 2017

Inflammation is the root cause of a host of health conditions. Arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes are some diseases linked to chronic inflammation. Among other things, poor diet is one of the causes of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods can help in reducing the damage caused by inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce the risk of inflammation in the body.  They do so by fighting against the pathogens that cause inflammation.

How Omega3 Fatty Acids Help In Fighting Inflammation?

Omega-3 fatty acids fight against inflammation in two major ways:

  • Eicosanoids are chemicals that are vital for communication between various cells in our body. There are both good and bad Eicosanoids. Omega3 helps in the production of good Eicosanoids.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids also help in forming anti-inflammatory compounds in the body. This way, they help in preventing numerous diseases that are caused by inflammation.

How Much Omega3 Is Needed To Fight Inflammation?

As seen in a 2010 study, the anti-inflammatory effects of these fatty acids depend on dosage. However, the actual dosage to prevent or treat various conditions is not clear. Dosage will vary by condition based on the specific nature of inflammation.

You can take Omega3 fatty acids in different forms:

  • Fish, plant-based foods, and nut oils are good sources of Omega3. Include foods like flaxseed, walnuts, Great Northern beans, kidney beans, & navy beans in your diet. Within fish, types of fishes like mackerel, herring, sardines, and salmon work well in increasing omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Fish oil capsules and other omega3 supplements. Certain health experts recommend a dosage of 250 to 500 milligrams (mg) for healthy adults.

In addition to fighting inflammation, omega3 fatty acids offer several other benefits. They improve eyesight, boost brain function, and help against menopausal symptoms.

Mahesh Jayaraman
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.

References:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Processes https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257651/