OMEGA 3 - What are the effects?
Q. - What are the effects of omega 3?
A. - Omega 3 can have both positive and negative effects.
- Positive Effects: Essential fatty acids such as Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), include protection from heart attacks and thrombosis, and decreased inflammation and pain in arthritis sufferers. DHA is one of the building blocks needed for brain growth and development. DHA alone is noted for its effects on brain function, mood and behavior. Numerous animal studies show that DHA improves learning, vision processes, memory, and concentration.
- Negative effects: Polyunsaturated fats are unstable molecules that are very sensitive to heat, light and oxygen. If not properly processed, lipid peroxidation occurs (chain reactions in the body that cause oxidation of fat and cholesterol molecules), causing inflammation and even cancer. Therefore, the quality of omega-3 fatty acids depends on the quality of the source and the care taken during processing, and packaging.
