Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are important components of the human diet that offer a variety of health benefits. While they are mainly found in fish, they are now also available as supplements. Omega-3 may be helpful for lowering triglycerides, preventing blood clots, and reducing blood pressure. Most people respond well to omega-3 supplements, but potential side effects include easy bruising or bleeding, nausea, and diarrhea.

 

What Is Omega-3?

"Omega-3" is short for omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential dietary macronutrients. This means that they are important components of the human diet that must be obtained through food. Three omega-3 fatty acids are important for human nutrition, including:
 
Recently, there has been much interest in omega-3 fatty acids for a variety of different health benefits.
 
(Click Omega-3 Benefits for more information on the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.)
 

Omega-3 Versus Omega-6

Many people wonder how omega-3 fatty acids are different from omega-6 fatty acids.
 Although omega-6 fatty acids are essential to human nutrition, the typical North American diet may actually contain too much omega-6 fatty acids and too little omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in a wide variety of commonly consumed foods, like grains and many cooking oils, while omega-3 fatty acids are found in less commonly consumed foods, such as oily fish, certain nuts, and flaxseed.
 
It seems that the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is what is really important. Consuming too much omega-6 compared to omega-3 may increase the risk of numerous health problems, including heart disease, cancer, depression, and various inflammatory diseases.
 
(Omega-3 Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;