Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Dr Meenakshi Kalyan explains how omega 3 fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining your health

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Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for good health as they protect against heart diseases, stroke and arthritis. They ensure optimal functioning of neurons, protect cells, decrease cell death and improve nerve transmission.

Omega 3 fatty acids must enter every cell membrane in the human body, serving as a cell lubricant and improving flexibility and communication between cells. It aids cell metabolism and gene expression.

There are three kinds of omega 3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Omega 3 fatty acid lowers:

blood pressure

triglycerides

inflammation

risk of dementia

certain cancers

progression of age related macular degeneration

insulin resistance via anti-inflammatory effects

proteinuria in people with kidney disease

lipogenesis (a process of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis from glucose)

risk of diabetic retinopathy