Omega 3 Supplements - Overview

The popularity of omega 3 supplements has been rising, hand-in-hand with the growing knowledge and awareness of the many functions and health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids. Indeed, essential fatty acids like ALA, DHA and EPA have been well-researched and known to influence many aspects of human health.

In this section, we discuss omega 3 fatty acid supplements. Currently, the most popular omega 3 capsules used are fish oil supplements. Other animal-based omega 3 pills include krill oil as well as green-lipped mussel oil.

Among the many plant-based oils, the most popular and widely used omega 3 oil is probably flax seed oil (also referred to as flax oil).

Do we need omega 3 supplements? Omega 3 fatty acids are critical for proper bodily function and good health. And these fatty acids cannot be made or synthesized by the human body, so we need to get them in our daily foods.

However, while our traditional diets used to provide for these very important nutrients, typical modern day diets are usually lacking in them. Instead, we are consuming lots of omega 6 fatty acids, largely through vegetable oils like corn oil and sunflower oil.

The imbalance of omega 3's and omega 6's in our bodies today is a major cause of many illnesses. Omega 6 fatty acids, for example, promote inflammation in the body, while omega 3's alleviate inflammation. And inflammation contributes to many health conditions. In this regard, omega 3 supplements can help to restore balance.

Worse still, we are nowadays also filling our bodies with lots of trans fats, saturated fats, as well as scores of junk foods. Omega 3 fatty acids, because they are so healthful, can help, to some extent, to "neutralize" the ills of these undesirable foods. Of course, there is absolutely no substitute for an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, but some help is better than no help at all.

In time to come, we will be putting more information on different types of omega 3 fatty acid supplements. Stay tuned.