Omega Fatty Acids

ESSENTIALLY ESSENTIAL

It seems that omega fatty acids are all the rage these days. You’ve probably heard that omega 3s can lower cholesterol and help to prevent heart disease. But that is only a part of the story. In fact, most people don’t even know that there are several different kinds of Omegas nor the expanded role they play in throughout our lives.

There are three types of Omega’s. Omega 3, 6 and 9. Each plays a critical yet different role in bodily functions. You may have heard people use the term “essential fatty acids” when describing them. The reason these are deemed “essential” is that these fats are necessary for good health, however our bodies don’t make them on their own, meaning we need to rely on foods and supplements to get an adequate intake. The term essential is used only for Omega 3 and 6, as our bodies are capable of producing Omega 9, however often not at the appropriate level and ratio needed for optimal health. 

Let’s Talk Science.

Now for the science-y part. What are omegas and why are they called that? As we mentioned, Omegas are all Fatty Acids. Fatty acids are molecules, known as hydrocarbon chains (a chain of hydrogen and carbon atoms). In the middle of the chain, there’s a double bond between two carbon atoms. Some fatty acids have this double bond at the 3rd carbon atom from the end of their carbon chain. These are “omega-3” fatty acids, which actually stands for “omega minus 3,” because the double bond is at the omega position, minus 3 atoms. As you probably guessed it, Omega-6 fatty acids have their double bond at the sixth carbon atom from the end of their carbon chain, and omega-9 fatty acids have theirs at the ninth carbon atom from the end of their chain.

All of these fatty acids bond together and bond together to form triglycerides, and they form most of the fats in our foods. You may have heard that high levels of blood triglycerides can cause heart disease, but new research suggests that it is not the amount of dietary fat in our diets that raises triglyceride levels or causes heart disease. Researchers believe that inflammation plays a major role in both high triglyceride levels and heart disease. Triglycerides are also made in our bodies from carbohydrates (sugars) that we eat, so eating too many carbs can raise triglyceride levels too!

Isn’t science fun?

Now for the good stuff What can Omegas do for you?

So now that we know what Omegas are, why are they so important? Well as it turns out, some studies link the three types of omega’s with some pretty amazing benefits. Let’s take a quick look at the 3 types of Omega Fatty Acids and the functions they support:

Omega 3:

  • Forms a vital part of cell membranes
  • Supports mental health
  • Improves heart health
  • Supports health weight management
  • Shown to reduce inflammation
  • Supports infant brain development
  • Promotes brain health

Omega 6:

  • Shown to reduce nerve pain
  • Supports bone health
  • Shown to decrease blood pressure
  • Shown to lower heart disease risk
  • Shown to help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Omega 9:

  • Shown to reduce cardiovascular disease risk
  • Acts as a substitute in case of low levels of Omega 3 and 6
  • Shown to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation

Clearly there are some pretty amazing benefits. Fats are needed for energy storage and insulation, they form the structural components of cell membranes, they serve as carriers for fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, E and K and they are essential for hormone production. Basically, every fatty acid you consume affects you all the way down to the cellular level!

How do you maximize the benefits of Omega 3, 6, 9?

All three of these fatty acids — omega 3 6 9 — have a role to play in maintaining homeostasis (or balance when it comes to your health). And it is important to take them in a proper ratio. While there are many pill supplements out there that use a glycerin shell (often made from palm oil) to deliver Omegas to the gut, BIO PEAK Complete Body Fuel comes in a convenient pour bottle, eliminated the need for an external barrier and allowing for maximum absorption. This also allows you to get all of the benefits of Omegas by incorporating complete body fuel in foods like salads, shakes, coffee and more.

GET YOUR ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS TODAY!

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