Losing weight can be a struggle, but incorporating more essential fatty acids into a balance diet may help you shed some pounds. Though it may seem counter-intuitive to say that adding more fats to our diets will help us lose weight, the science behind this seems to support this theory.
Essentials for Good Health
Omega-3’s essential fatty acids provide a wealth of health benefits. They are an important part of many processes in the body, and research suggest they can help prevent heart disease and stroke as well as help protect the body against cancer.
Are you wondering, So What’s The Catch? Well here it is; our bodies can’t make omega 3s so we must get them through food sources or supplements.
The three main types of these beneficial fats are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are typically derived from oily fish like wild salmon and tuna, and alpha linolenic acid (LNA), which is found in certain vegetable oils, like canola, soybean and olive oils, as well as in walnuts, flax seeds and green, leafy vegetables. Another good reason to eat your leafy green vegetables.
Omega- 6 fatty acids work to reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease and help lower LDL (Bad) cholesterol levels. They also help keep bones healthy and aid the body in regulating metabolism. Omega 6s, like omega 3s, also come from food sources. Omega 6s can be found in safflower, corn and soybean oils.
In addition to all the wonderful things omega 3s, essential fatty acids do, they have been shown to support weight loss and weight management, as well. Recent studies have shown that obese women, who received a dietary supplement containing EPA and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) as part of a weight loss regime, lost significantly more weight than a placebo group.
In addition to weight loss benefits, omegas help to manage levels of stress hormones in the body and perhaps help us to be in a better state of mind when it comes to managing our weight. It has been found that people that take fish oil supplements have lower levels of epinephrine and cortisol. They also perceive themselves to be less stressed.
My word of wisdom to you are this; If you are on the fence about adding omega 3s to your diet, I highly suggest that you reconsider and give your heart a chance. The benefits of taking omega 3s far out weigh you not taking them, so do your body a favor, help it out by adding omega 3s to your daily intake of nutrients. Your heart, mind and waist will thank you.
Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.
Enjoy!
Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
Host of Blissful Living Show
www.rochelelawson.com
www.healthhealingwellness.com
www.blissful-living.net
www.youtube.com/rochelelawson
www.facebook.com/rochelelawson
www.stressassessmentmagic.com
www.freegiftsfromrochele.com
www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson
