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Health Benefits Overview

More than 8,000 studies published over the past 35 years have consistently shown that Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), are important to your health throughout every stage of your life. Omega-3 EPA and DHA have complementary roles in human health: DHA plays a structural role as a component of cell membranes, while EPA plays a physiological role by helping reduce inflammation. Together, Omega-3 EPA and DHA have a wide variety of health benefits, which can be grouped into the following general categories:

Heart health
Brain health
Normal growth and development
Overall health and well-being

Consult with your physician, nutritionist, or other informed health professional to learn more about the benefits of Omega-3 EPA and DHA and how they can specifically help you.

Health Benefits for Your Heart

Omega-3 is essential to a healthy heart. This is due to the fact that it combats inflammation, which scientists have recently discovered is closely linked to cardiovascular disease.

Research suggests that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help prevent plaque deposits and blood clots — which can lead to heart attacks and strokes — from developing in your arteries. Studies also suggest that Omega-3 EPA and DHA may help reduce your risk of other coronary diseases and conditions that could lead to strokes and heart attacks. The American Heart Association agrees that Omega-3 EPA and DHA are essential to a healthy cardiovascular system. Specifically, it recognizes the following benefits from these two good-for-you fats:

Reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes
Reduction in blood thickness (viscosity)
Relaxation of blood vessels (vasodilation)
Lowering of blood pressure
Reduced risk of blood clots in coronary arteries (thrombosis)
Protection against heartbeat abnormalities (arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation)
Reduction of triglycerides (blood fat levels)
Protection against hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Protection against plaque rupture
Good overall heart health

Health Benefits for Your Brain

Your brain is one of the vital organs that require Omega-3 to perform optimally. In fact, 60% of your brain is made up of structural fat (a large part of which is DHA), and it requires a regular intake of good fats, such as Omega-3, to function properly. Research suggests that Omega-3 may reduce the risk of the following conditions:

Memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral problems
Mental health conditions, including aggression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, and schizophrenia

Additionally, studies suggest that increasing Omega-3 EPA and DHA intake may improve:

Cognition and IQ (in babies and children)
Learning ability, reading, and writing

It’s particularly important that pregnant and breastfeeding women foods rich in Omega-3 EPA and DHA, because they are required for:

The development of a healthy nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, and the network of nerves
The development of healthy vision, particularly development of the retina

Plus, women with adequate intake of EPA and DHA are less likely to experience postpartum depression.

As you can see, consuming adequate amounts of Omega-3 is critical to the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system at all stages of life.

Health Benefits for Your Body

Not only are Omega-3 EPA and DHA essential for the health of your heart and brain — these essential fatty acids are needed throughout your whole body. They play a crucial role in normal growth and development, and act as building blocks for the cells in your vital organs. Thanks to their ability to reduce levels of inflammation in the body, Omega-3 may also help reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions, including:

Asthma (in children) and exercise-induced asthma
Colorectal and prostate cancer
Type 1 diabetes (in children) and gestational diabetes (in pregnant women)

Additionally, research suggests that increased consumption of Omega-3 may improve symptoms of:

Chronic fatigue syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
Inflammatory skin disorders (psoriasis)
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis

In addition to improving overall physical well-being, emerging research suggests that EPA and DHA may support weight loss and improve body composition.

MEG-3™ as Your Source of Omega-3 EPA and DHA

Increasingly, doctors, nutritionists, and other health professionals agree that a healthy diet must contain foods rich in Omega-3 EPA and DHA. However, if you’re not consuming at least two four ounce servings of oil fish per week you’re likely not getting your suggested intake of Omega-3. MEG-3® can help balance your diet in a convenient and worry-free way. Available as a dietary supplement, and as a healthy food ingredient, MEG-3® provides you with Omega-3 EPA and DHA that conform to worldwide quality and purity standards. Along with a well-balanced diet, supplements and/or foods that contain MEG-3® ensure that you and your family are getting adequate amounts of these two essential nutrients.

References

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