Omega Fatty Acids: A Boon to Ease Your Depression

Ever had your mother trying to push those golden color capsules down your throat? Those fishy tasting capsules are the most commonly taken supplements all over the world but are they really good for you? Let's find out!

Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils are universally considered the best supplements to be used for good hair and great skin. They also have a great hand in maintaining wonderful health and overall well being.

How they work-

There are three main types of Omega fatty acids that can prove beneficial for humans. They are docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and alpha-linolenic acid or ALA which are commonly found in nuts, seeds, fish and vegetable oils. Although seeds and nuts like flax seeds are a rich source of Omega 3and 6 fatty acids; they are mainly sourced from deep sea or oily fish like Mackerel, Sardines and Salmon.

1. The supplement or oil works really well in controlling and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. They work by reducing the amount of dangerous cholesterol levels in the body and thus reducing the risk of heart attacks.
2. The oil seems to have a very strong anti-inflammatory benefit by decreasing the pain, redness and swelling which is associated with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Several doctors also recommend the supplement to control asthma that pops up due to seasonal allergies.
3. Several research studies have linked the advantages of omega fatty acids with mood control. Researchers noticed that people who have a diet rich in deep sea fish or oily fish had considerably lesser chances of being affected by depression and mood changes.

How to take it?

Both Omega 6 and 3 contain short chain and long chain fatty acids that are commonly found in a healthy diet. But western diets are skewed in the ratio of omega fatty acids that they supply to consumers. The ideal proportion is 1:1 but it is now 3:1 and might actually increase to 20:1 in different processed foods! This huge imbalance can affect consumers causing a large amount of health problems that reflect in the long term health of the individual. The best way to have omega fatty acids is in the form of an increased intake of fresh fruits, fish and nuts like flax seed and its oil. But if that's not possible then you should think about using about a capsule of cod liver oil per day. The liquid oil is also available but it does have a slightly fishy taste. You can also get the right balance of fatty acids from natural foods like whole grains, fish, fatty fish, fresh leafy vegetables and nuts. Try eating meat that has been fed organic or pasture feed rather than processed feed. Meat that has been reared on processed feed has the same imbalance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and that will also reflect in your intake.

Do ensure that the supplements you take for any deficiencies are made up to international processing standards before you order them.