Omega-3s are critical for total health. Unfortunately, omega-3s are not produced by the body and must be consumed through food or supplements. Omega-3s for the Whole Family
For Adults: Healthy Aging
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and are important for cognitive (brain memory and performance) and behavioral function. A recent study showed those 65 years and older who consumed higher levels of omega-3 over a six-year period had a slower rate of decline in their cognitive scoring with age.
A clinical trial of omega-3’s effect on cognitive performance in healthy adults in their 30s showed omega-3 supplementation over a month improved their moods. They had increased energy, and decreased anger, anxiety, fatigue, depression and confusion. In addition, healthy, middle-age adults taking omega-3 supplements had better performance on cognitive testing of nonverbal reasoning and mental flexibility, working memory and vocabulary.
Bumping up omega-3 intake also protects against age-related hearing loss. In a study, participants who ate more omega-3 over five years had a lower risk of developing this hearing loss than those who ate less omega-3.
Eyes get a health boost from omega-3, too. New research shows that regular consumption of omega-3 can reduce the risk of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 45 percent. This may be due to omega-3’s ability to maintain or improve blood flow in the eye.
For Kids: Brain Development
Omega-3 plays an important role in normal brain development of the unborn, infants and young children. Recent studies show women who have an adequate intake of omega-3 during pregnancy may lower the risk of their babies growing to be obese as children by nearly a third. On the other hand, omega-3 deficiencies during pregnancy and the early months of infancy can cause developmental problems in the baby’s nervous system and vision.
Omega-3 helps maximize brain development and cognitive function to help children do their best in school, too. A study of school children showed overall grades were significantly higher (by 15 percent) in those who consumed omega-3 from fish more than once per week compared to those who consumed less than one serving per week. In addition, a clinical study of nearly 100 boys showed those with lower levels of omega-3s had more learning and behavioral problems such as temper tantrums and sleep disturbances than boys with normal omega-3 levels.
Get Your Heart Hooked
High triglycerides are linked to heart disease and unmanaged diabetes. But researchers have found omega-3 can reduce triglyceride levels by 20 to 50 percent.
Another study showed omega-3 offers a “scientifically supported means of reducing arterial stiffness.” Stiff arteries lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. On the flip side, healthy, elastic arteries lighten the workload on the heart. In addition, omega-3s have been linked to improvements in blood lipid levels, reduced risk of blood clots, lower blood pressure and improved vascular function. Researchers concluded that daily doses of omega-3 are very beneficial in reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death and other heart conditions.
Reel in Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome, a constellation of symptoms including high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and abdominal fat, sets the stage for heart disease as well as diabetes. However, the latest research shows increasing omega-3 in the diet improved insulin resistance, reduced blood sugar, and improved HDL (good) cholesterol and blood fat levels. Some studies even suggest omega-3 may help prevent prediabetes, or insulin resistance, from advancing to type 2 diabetes.
In addition, a recent study shows men who had the highest daily intake of omega-3 had a 47 percent lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome compared to those consuming a significantly lower amount of omega-3.
Omega-3s for Your Health
Omega-3 affects everything from mental focus and energy, to heart health and mood. In children, omega-3 is vital to the body’s normal development and function, especially the brain and eyes. Clearly, omega-3 is critical throughout our entire lifespan.
The human body can’t produce omega- 3s, so they must be consumed. Yet many of our diets don’t come close to the amount of omega-3 we need. In fact, current intakes of omega-3 are about 20 percent of the amount (650 mg/ day) advised by an expert scientific group for healthy individuals.
One way to increase omega-3 intake is by eating more fish, such as tuna and salmon, and adding a high-quality nutritional supplement to your diet. Reliv products offer an ideal way to boost your omega-3 intake while also shoring up other important nutrients.
Omega-3s can be found in Reliv Now® for Kids, GlucAffect®, ReversAge® and 24K™. Make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 today for better health today and tomorrow!
To your health, Reliv Vice Chairman & Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Carl W. Hastings