Advantages of Omega 3 acids
In recent years extensive research has been conducted regarding the various health benefits of the omega 3 fatty acids ALA, EPA and the DHA. These n-3 and n-6 acids have been proved to benefit the development of our nervous system, immunity and brain development in young children and infants. They also provide enormous benefits to our skin rejuvenation, prevention and control of coronary heart diseases, improve metabolism and so on. However one has to remember that these are fatty acids and too much of it can affect your health adversely. The omega acids have been found to lead to clumping of platelets causing thrombosis, and the leukotriene found in these acids has been indicated in asthma and bronchial attacks. The American Medical Association has stated in its journal that claims of the omega 3 acids Fish Oil Supplements helping to cure cancer are not verified, but are more effective in prevention of malignancies.
Essential and Non Essential acids
And the omega acids are said to be most beneficial for prevention of coronary heart diseases. If one follows a vegetarian diet, it is the most helpful and beneficial to one's health. The two essential omega oils that cannot be manufactured by our bodies and have to be included in the diet are the linolenic acid and the alpha-linolenic acid. All other essential oils can be found in other vegetarian sources and can be manufactured by our body itself. So it is not necessary to include fatty fish or fish oil supplements in your diet if you are a vegetarian. The ideal ratio of the linolenic acid LA to the alpha-linolenic acid ALA is 3:1; but a typical western diet which is full of fried foods, processed foods and saturated fats, sugar and alcohol amounts to an unhealthy ratio of 15:1. Compounding ht e problem, the western diet does not contain many fresh fruits and vegetables like a traditional vegetarian diet and so results in less minerals like magnesium, zinc and Vitamins B & C being consumed. In these less than ideal circumstances, the omega 3 acids not only help, they also prove detrimental to one's health.
Side Effects of using Omega 3 acids
The omega n-6 acids inhibit the more beneficial n-3 acids from forming and they also block the pathway for their conversion, leading to the thickening of platelets and water retention leading to high blood pressure. No one can precisely say how much fatty acids can be safely consumed and at which rate your body is going to absorb them. As a percentage, less than 10% of your fat intake has to be ALA according to the AMA and one teaspoon of flaxseed oil can provide this. And fat found in rich green leafy vegetables contain ALA and walnuts are the best source for omega 6 oils. But remember any fat is still fat and has to be taken in moderation. So better to take a rich, nutritious and healthy vegetarian diet to prevent heart diseases than to eat lots of meat and then consume omega 3 oils to fix the problem.