Omega 3 Fatty Acids
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There are two groups of fatty acids that occur naturally in cold-water fish and in oils extracted from plants like flaxseed, rapeseed (canola), or soybean. One group of fatty acids is labeled Omega-6 and the other group is known as Omega-3. Fish contain two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (New 2003). Fish are the best source of omega-3 fatty acids but plants such as those above contain a third, less potent omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linoleic acid (New 2003). Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are healthier for human nutrition than saturated and trans fatty acids. The trick for proper nutrition with respect to omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is consuming the proper balance of each. In developed countries, Tran (2001) reports that people consumer as much as 30 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids. Ingesting the proper amount of omega-3 fatty acids is not just vital to proper nutrition. A number of current research studies have concluded that a diet with the proper amounts of omega-3 fatty acids has a number of significant cardiovascular health benefits. These include thinning the blood to a degree that prevents clot formation, protection against irregular heartbeats, and lower cholesterol levels. A University of Washington study of 179 people with heart disease found that “those with higher blood levels of omega-3s had far fewer fatal heart attacks and sudden c
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t cardiovascular health in significantly positive ways. As the AMA report stated, “Omega-3 fatty acids make the blood less likely to form clots that cause heart attack, and they protect against irregular heartbeats that cause sudden cardiac death” (New, 2003, 7). Omega-3 fatty acids are being studied intensively in order to discover more insight into the exact mechanisms by which they reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
One theory about the possible mechanism used by omega-3 fatty acids has to do with the nature of their impact on blood flow. The polyunsaturated fats that exist as omega-6 or omega-3 are so named because of the structure and number of the carbon and hydrogen atoms that compose each. When the right balance between the two is congested, overall health is improved and risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced. Because of their unique chemical composition, omega-3 fatty acids are more resistant to attack from free radicals which damage body cells and are linked to cancer than are other kinds of fat. Because of this the omega-3 fatty acids breakdown in a manner that makes them less likely to stick to or clog arteries – one of the biggest factors in blot clot formation and risk of stroke. Blood clotting
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Approximate Word count = 1480
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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