Essential fatty acids such as the omega 3’s DHA and EPA are crucial for the integrity and health of the human body. Unfortunately, most are deficient in these essential omega 3’s due to lack of omega 3 rich foods in the diet.
Research has shown that omega 3 helps prevent cardiovascular disease, protects the body against age related disease such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and reduces inflammation in the body (1).
Being deficient in essential omega 3 fatty acids is the last thing you would want due to the health risks that are involved when becoming low or deficient in omega 3’s.
What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Omega 3 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that occur mostly in fish and fish oils. As mentioned before, they’re crucial for maintaining the health of the body and protecting against several degenerative diseases.
There are three omega 3’s that exist in nature, two of which only occur in animal products. Both Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) are essential for human health and only come from animal foods. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) occurs mostly in plant foods and must be converted by the body into DHA and EPA.
Those following a vegan or vegetarian diet are at risk for developing an omega 3 deficiency since no DHA or EPA exists on such diets. As a result, the body is forced to convert ALA into both DHA/EPA and research has found that this process to be extremely inefficient with only about 5% of the ALA actually being converted (2).
With that said, ALA still has its health benefits and has shown to reduce inflammatory conditions in the body (3). However, consuming a diet devoid of omega 3 rich foods such as animal products which contain the necessary DHA and EPA is not recommended.
Symptoms of an Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency
It’s quite possible that those suffering from a deficiency in omega 3’s don’t even know it. The signs can be very subtle at first and progressively get worse as time goes on. Below is a list of the most common symptoms associated with an essential fatty acid deficiency.
Dry skin/hair or brittle nails
Anxiety or Depression
Low Energy
Trouble Sleeping
Dry cracking skin or scaly skin
Trouble Concentrating
Excessive Thirst
Trouble Sleeping and Waking
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, there is a high possibility that you may be low in essential fatty acids. If left untreated long enough, serious irreversible health consequences could result. It’s essential that you begin to increase your intake of omega 3 rich foods immediately in order to correct a possible deficiency.
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