What is Omega 3?

 

We often hear about Omega 3 and its benefits…

 

Whether in news about scientific studies, ads for supplements or by health professionals.

but sometimes, the vast amount of information does not answer simple questions such as what omega 3 is or what are their food sources.

 

What is Omega 3 and why is it so important?

 

When we talk about omega 3 fatty acids, we refer to a type of polyunsaturated fatty acids that has shown to have health benefits, and that are part of the fat of some foods.

The most important in human nutrition can be divided into two groups: short-chain omega-3, such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and long-chain omega-3, including eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

 

ALA is mainly found in foods from plants, such as walnuts, flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and soybean oil.

 

EPA and DHA are found exclusively in marine food, such as blue and white fish, crustaceans and cephalopods or algae.

 

The ALA is an essential fatty acid for the human being, our body cannot manufacture it and therefore we must incorporate it through our diet. EPA and DHA, although our body can manufacture them from ALA, are also considered essential, since the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is very inefficient.

 

The consumption of seafood, such as fish, is important since they are the only natural source of long-chain omega 3 EPA and DHA.

 

Why is it that important to consume Omega 3 EPA and DHA?

 

ALA, EPA and DHA perform different functions in the body. In fact, EPA and DHA are types omega 3 that help maintain heart health and also contribute to the regulation of blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

That is why it is important to ensure that you get them from your diet, and to add all the nutritional benefits that these foods provide, we have to do it through their natural sources, such as fish and seafood.

 

The omega 3 EPA and DHA are the only omega 3 with recognized benefits for heart health.

 

 

Why is seafood the natural source of omega 3 EPA and DHA?

The omega 3 EPA and DHA are produced by microscopic algae and phytoplankton from the seabed and accumulate through the food chain to reach us through fish and other seafood. 

 

 

And from here, directly to the consumer

 

The EPA and DHA have the peculiarity of being fats that remain liquid at low temperatures, so their presence in fish is essential for them to survive in the cold waters. In fact, fish that live in colder waters, such as hake or cod, are qualitatively richer in these omega 3 than other fish from warmer waters.

 

The marine ecosystem is full of treasures and the omega-3 is one of them. Come and discover it with Pescanova!