Verified By Apollo Cardiologist October 20, 2021
7984Over the past decade, the consumption of nutrition supplements, like Omega-3 Fatty Acids, has gained prominence in promoting and maintaining an active lifestyle among health-conscious individuals.
Nutritional deficiencies due to poor diet habits are on the rise, especially among working professionals. For instance, IT professionals are prone to Vitamin D deficiency due to their work largely being indoors. As a result, the consumption of nutritional supplements has become an alternative way for working professionals to stay healthy and active, and avoid certain lifestyle diseases.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are vital for the normal functioning of internal organs, like the brain and retina. People need to rely on food sources (like fish) or supplements because the human body cannot create these fatty acids on its own.
Fatty acids found in Omega-3 supplements have also been found to be highly beneficial in improving cardiovascular health and preventing the onset of heart diseases.
Two crucial fatty acids called EPA and DHA are found primarily in certain fish. Another omega-3 fatty acid, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), is found in plant sources such as nuts and seeds.
It is good to get omega-3 fatty acids from foods rather than supplements. It is good to consume non-fried oily fish high in DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids at least two times a week.
These include:
Avoid fish that may have higher levels of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), or other toxins such as mackerel, shark, wild swordfish, and tilefish. Fish like wild salmon and wild trout are safer.
Good food sources of ALA include:
These may however be high in calories.
Before starting any supplements, or making any major modification to your diet and lifestyle, it is recommended to consult your doctor. It is advisable to know the risks of taking Omega-3 supplements if you are:
Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment
There are benefits in consuming fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids Here is a quick checklist:
Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 supplements are unlikely to cause any serious side effects. But it’s always recommended to consult your Apollo doctor first, as there may be certain risks:
The following categories of people need to follow certain precautions when consuming Omega-3 supplements:
Omega-3 is an important component in a healthy, balanced diet. Even though a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids has benefits for heart patients, it’s still always important to stick to a diet that is nutritionally balanced and unprocessed.
Individuals who consume a balanced diet will not need supplements to ensure a balanced intake of nutrients.
It’s probably best to take either fish oil or cod liver oil alone, rather than both. Both oils have omega-3 fatty acid advantages, but cod liver oil also contains vitamins A and D.
It is better to take omega-3 in the evening because omega-3 fatty acids and NSAIDs function on the same biochemical pathways. Taking the fish oil supplement in the evening may help you get out of bed more easily in the morning.
When you take omega-3 supplements, your body’s levels of omega-3s swiftly rise. However, a meaningful change in mood, pain or other symptoms may take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months.
The content is reviewed and verified by our experienced and highly specialized team of heart specialists who diagnose and treat more than 400 simple-to-complex heart conditions. These specialists dedicate a portion of their clinical time to deliver trustworthy and medically accurate content
March 8, 2023