Omega 3 Fatty Acid Deficiency - Discussion

An omega 3 fatty acid deficiency can manifest itself through many different types of health conditions and ailments.

Omega 3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA have a hand in the function and health of many different parts of the human body. Most notably, they contribute greatly to brain health, heart health, joint health, and even skin health and hair health. Indeed, a significant proportion of heart tissue and the human brain is said to be made up of omega 3 fatty acids.

In addition, these essential fatty acids also help to lift moods, regulate blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, boost immune function, prevent strokes and heart attacks, as well as keep cancer and cardiovascular disease at bay, among a host of other health benefits.

Numerous studies have shown that persons suffering from depression are more likely to have an omega 3 fatty acid deficiency. Persons who have arthritis are also likely to have reduced levels of omega 3 in their blood and joint fluid. Poor skin health is a possible sign of a deficiency in omega 3, too.

Specifically, DHA deficiency has been linked with Alzheimer's disease, and certain congenital diseases like Zellweger's syndrome and infantile Refsum's disease. In addition, children who suffer from attention deficit disorder (ADD) seem to have lower levels of DHA. Further, babies who are born prematurely but who are not breast-fed often suffer from a deficiency in DHA, too.

The biggest problem, really, is that because of our poor modern day diets, most of us probably suffer from an omega 3 fatty acid deficiency. Many studies actually show this point. In fact, as much as 60% of the American population could be deficient in these very important essential fatty acids.

To make matters worse, we eat a lot of unhealthy fats - trans fats and saturated fats, as well as vegetable oils which are high in omega 6 fatty acids. This hampers our body's ability to make use of the already small amount of omega 3 fatty acids which we are consuming, thereby worsening the omega 3 fatty acid deficiency problem.