Omega-3: An essential fat you need to add to your diet

Last Updated: 12th January 2023 · Written by Donna Mastriani

Omega-3 is an essential fat, meaning that as individuals, we are unable to synthesise it in the body, and must consume it within our daily diet. With many other foods, there are supplements and alternatives that people find, but this is not the case with omega-3.

At Lifelab Testing, we know the importance of getting the right vitamins and minerals into your diet, so we have put together this blog to help you understand the importance of getting omega-3 into your body.

Three types of omega-3 are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA and DHA being of particular benefit to certain parts of the body, including the brain.

Make sure you follow this carefully: ALA can be converted to EPA and DHA, but this often happens in very small amounts, therefore it is important that you eat foods which contain EPA and DHA! ALA can be consumed through plant sources such as:

1. walnuts,
2. chia seeds,
3. soybeans,
4. flaxseed

In addition, oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, salmon, anchovies, herring, tuna and marine algae are very rich sources of EPA and DHA.

Omega-3 has wide-ranging benefits in the human body, but it is particularly important in brain cell formation and forms a part of every cell within the body. Omega-3 is also used to produce anti-inflammatory eicosanoid molecules, which are all very important to maintain an anti-inflammatory state within the body.

What is also equally important, omega-3 is involved in the eyes, and of particular importance to note is within heart health, as this sometimes lowers triglyceride levels and reduce blood pressure, and this is involved in the immune system and plays a crucial role in hormonal health.

It is also ideal that you consume nutrients through the diet, however, the range of supplementation on the market is extensive! Even if you are vegan or vegetarian, supplements are available. It is important that if you take anti-coagulants, you check with your GP before you introduce omega-3 supplements.

For more information on allergies and intolerances, or if you want to order your allergy test, click here. If you order a kit from our Complete testing range, then you will get a complimentary 30-minute session with one of our Nutritional Therapists at Lifelab Testing. There is also the option to purchase for more sessions to make sure you optimise your health.