The Skin Benefits of Omega-3

1. Omega-3s Can Fight Depression and Anxiety

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the world.

Symptoms include sadness, lethargy and a general loss of interest in life .

Anxiety, also a common disorder, is characterized by constant worry and nervousness .

Interestingly, studies indicate that people who consume omega-3s regularly are less likely to be depressed .

What’s more, when people with depression or anxiety start taking omega-3 supplements, their symptoms improve.

There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: ALA, EPA and DHA. Of the three, EPA appears to be the best at fighting depression .

One study even found EPA as effective against depression as a common antidepressant drug .

2. Omega-3s Can Improve Eye Health

DHA, a type of omega-3, is a major structural component of the retina of your eye .

When you don’t get enough DHA, vision problems may arise.

Interestingly, getting enough omega-3 is linked to a reduced risk of macular degeneration, one of the world’s leading causes of permanent eye damage and blindness.

3. Omega-3s Can Promote Brain Health During Pregnancy and Early Life

Omega-3s are crucial for brain growth and development in infants.

DHA accounts for 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in your brain and 60% in the retina of your eye  .

Therefore, it’s no surprise that infants fed a DHA-fortified formula have better eyesight than infants fed a formula without it .

Getting enough omega-3s during pregnancy is associated with numerous benefits for your child, including:

• Higher intelligence
• Better communication and social skills
• Fewer behavioral problems
• Decreased risk of developmental delay
• Decreased risk of ADHD, autism and cerebral palsy
• 

4. Omega-3s Can Improve Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Heart attacks and strokes are the world’s leading causes of death.

Decades ago, researchers observed that fish-eating communities had very low rates of these diseases. This was later linked to omega-3 consumption.

Since then, omega-3 fatty acids have been tied to numerous benefits for heart health .

These benefits address: The Skin Benefits of Omega-3

• Triglycerides: Omega-3s can cause a major reduction in triglycerides, usually in the range of 15–30%.
• Blood pressure: Omega-3s can reduce blood pressure levels in people with high blood pressure.
• “Good” HDL cholesterol: Omega-3s can raise “good” HDL cholesterol levels .
• Blood clots: Omega-3s can keep blood platelets from clumping together. This helps prevent the formation of harmful blood clots .
• Plaque: By keeping your arteries smooth and free from damage, omega-3s help prevent the plaque that can restrict and harden your arteries.
• Inflammation: Omega-3s reduce the production of some substances released during your body’s inflammatory response .

For some people, omega-3s can also lower “bad” LDL cholesterol. However, evidence is mixed — some studies find increases in LDL .

Despite these beneficial effects on heart disease risk factors, there is no convincing evidence that omega-3 supplements can prevent heart attacks or strokes. Many studies find no benefit . The Skin Benefits of Omega-3