What is Omega-3?

Omega-3 are essential fatty acids which our bodies cannot produce. This means we have to eat them to get enough.

There are 3 main types:

• EPA = A marine fat found in oily fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring). EPA is important for heart health and inflammation.
• DHA = A marine fat also found in oily fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring). DHA is important for eye and brain health, and inflammation.
• ALA = A plant based omega-3 found in walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds. ALA must be converted into EPA/DHA to be active in the body (this process is very inefficient!).

Why Should You Care?

Getting optimal omega-3 through diet alone is becoming more difficult. Fish farming is impacting quality of fish oil meaning we are getting less omega-3.

Our general population also consumes a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can naturally deplete omega-3. (Some sources of omega-6 include processed/packaged foods, sunflower oil, sauces and dressings, fried foods).

Every cell in your body needs both omega-3 and omega-6 to form its outer membrane, and the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 deciphers the balance of your cells.

Having high omega-6, and low omega-3 can push cells into a more inflammatory state, potentially increasing the likelihood of developing inflammatory conditions. Research is showing links between depleted omega-3 and autoimmune conditions, cognitive decline, depression/anxiety, eye health and heart disease.

Test, Don’t Guess!

The best way to find out if you are eating and absorbing enough omega-3 in by doing a simple finger-prick test.

These tests are a fantastic indictor of the balance in your cells. If you are found to be imbalanced, topping up your dietary omega-3 is really important for your health.

As a nutritional therapist, I would highly recommend taking a test to check your ratio, particularly if you are living with an inflammatory condition. If you struggle to consume enough foods rich in omega-3, there are some fantastic supplements available.

Please send me a message if you would like to know more about omega-3, or if you would like more information on how to test your ratio!

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