11 Benefits of Omega 3 Fish Oils | Reasons Why You Need Omega-3

1. Boosts Mood

Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements do more than just give us a little mood boost. There's evidence that getting plenty of omega 3 in your diet can actually work to combat the effects of depression and anxiety. In fact, one type of omega 3 fatty acid is considered as effective as an antidepressant drug, based on ongoing research.

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety are extremely common disorders, with millions of people suffering worldwide. While it's likely not possible to combat these diseases with a healthy diet, adding fatty fish, rich in omega 3 fatty acids, can go a long way to helping boost your mood and fight this terrible condition.

Of course, omega 3 isn't a miracle drug. You can't eat two portions of fish and expect to immediately see results. Building up your health and taking in the right nutrients takes time, and you may have to wait to feel the benefits.

Be sure not to rule out other health treatments. For example, if your doctor prescribes your anti-anxiety or antidepressants, you shouldn't abandon them in favor of eating more fish. The best thing to do is to use both resources side by side. Your health and happiness is paramount.

2. Promotes Brain Health

Fish oil, especially oil that's rich in omega 3 fatty acids, is crucial for good brain health and development in infants.

Taking plenty of omega 3 during pregnancy is very important since it will have a direct effect on a child's development. Higher intelligence, better communication skills, fewer behavioral problems, and fewer developmental delays are all linked to a healthy level of omega 3 fatty acids in children, according to extensive research.

Omega 3s also help to keep our brains sharp as adults, too.

3. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease or Cardiovascular Disease

Like many other healthy foods, fish oil supplements and omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce the risk of heart disease, or cardiovascular disease. Since heart attacks and strokes are a common cause of death today, this means that adding fatty fish to your diet is something you should consider.

However, omega 3s do not necessarily reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Evidence suggests that they successfully reduce inflammation and keep your heart healthy, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Since heart disease is often the root cause of strokes and heart attacks, this can indirectly reduce your risk of poor heart health.

Of course, you need to do more than just take in omega 3s! Keeping our hearts healthy and avoiding heart disease requires a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and a balanced lifestyle. Eating fatty fish or taking in omega 3s is just a part of that lifestyle.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Omega 3 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties. While inflammation is a natural response by the body to fight off infections, prolonged inflammation can cause serious health issues. Inflammation is a component in developing heart disease and cancer. Sometimes, the body can become inflamed without any legitimate cause.

The danger of inflammation can be eased by eating foods that have noted anti-inflammatory properties. Generally, this includes most healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables, and, of course, oily fish! It's worth noting that omega 3 supplements may not have the same benefits as oily fish. If you want the benefits, you may have to make changes to your diet.

5. Boosts Immune System

Regardless of how healthy we feel, our immune system can also do with an extra boost. Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements help to keep our immune system strong and healthy. Getting plenty of omega 3s in our developmental stages of childhood are linked to lower risks of autoimmune diseases in later life.

Diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis can also be treated with omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements. While taking supplements or tweaking your diet may not make these problems go away, research suggests it can help to ease the symptoms.

6. Helps to Resist Alzheimer's and Age-Related Mental Decline

It's possible that omega 3s and fish oil supplements can help to combat age-related mental declines and Alzheimers. As we age, our minds become less crisp and supple. To an extent, this is unavoidable. However, there is growing evidence that the fatty acids found in fish oil may help our minds to stay sharp for longer. It may be worth considering omega 3 supplements at the onset of Alzheimer's disease, with the aim of easing the symptoms.

7. Decreases Risk of Cancer

Since inflammation is a key component in developing cancerous cells, fish oil is extremely helpful. While studies are ongoing, there is evidence to indicate that people who take in more omega 3 fish oils have a reduced risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

While the results of some studies are inconclusive, one thing is clear: adding fish oil and eating fatty fish is a good idea.

8. Improves Joint and Bone Health

Omega 3 and fish oil supplements can give bone health a good boost. Skeletal disorders like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause significant pain and mobility issues. While taking fish oil won't completely get rid of the problem, evidence suggests that it may help to ease the symptoms.

In fact, people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may report that their pain has eased a little after taking a course of omega 3 fish oil. They may also notice increased grip strength and even more flexibility.

Of course, to reap these positives, you should make fish oil part of your diet. Whether you're taking dietary supplements or simply eating more fish, it takes time to fully absorb the nutrients into your body.

9. Eases Menstrual Pain

Inflammation is often the root cause of menstrual pain. This pain can range from mild to severe, and can severely impact your quality of life.

Research shows that omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil can help to ease this pain. This is due to the anti-inflammatory qualities of fish oil. In fact, according to scientific evidence, a regular diet that includes fish oil or fish oil supplements may give more effective pain relief than ibuprofen, which also works as an anti-inflammatory aid.

Adding fatty fish to your diet can help your menstrual pain become milder over time.

10. Good for Healthy Skin

As we age, our skin becomes less supple. This is because of a lack of collagen in the skin membrane. Omega 3 supplements and fish oil can help keep our skin healthier and stronger for longer. Here are just a few benefits of regular omega 3s on our skin:

• Keeps skin hydrated
• Reduces premature skin aging
• Protects skin from sun damage    
• Lower risk of acne (which can cause long-term damage to the skin. Acne can be due to a poor diet, hygiene habits, or hormone imbalances)
• Prevents the little red bumps we often see on our upper arms (known as hyperkeratinization)     

Regularly taking fish oil or omega 3 supplements, or better yet, adding seafood to our diet, can have a noticeable effect on our skin health.

11. Improves Sleep Quality

Poor sleep impacts every area of our health. Not getting enough sleep - or poor quality sleep - has been linked to issues such as diabetes, depression, and obesity. Poor sleep also affects our alertness and enjoyment of life. As many of us know, a bad nights' sleep leaves us feeling grumpy, tired, and irritated the next day!

However, low levels of omega 3s have been linked to poor sleep in both children and adults. Difficulty getting to sleep or fitful sleep can rack up a "sleep debt", and has a noticeable impact on our health and happiness.

Adding fish oil and omega 3s to our diet, whether via dietary supplements or in the form of fatty fish and seafood, is essential to healthy sleep quality. In fact, not getting sufficient omega 3 is linked to lower levels of melatonin. This is the hormone that helps us to fall asleep.

12. Promotes Good Eye Health

Last but certainly not least, omega 3 fatty acids are good for eye health. One of the three components of omega 3s is essential for a healthy retina. In fact, higher levels of omega 3 are linked to a reduced risk of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of eyesight problems and future blindness.