You’ve probably seen (or heard) about the miracle benefits of Fish Oils and Omega-3 fatty acids.  The benefits are constantly talked about by media outlets everywhere, and for a good reason. The proper intake and adequate consumption of these essential fatty acids (EFAs) is very important for many bodily functions, especially those related to the heart.

Intoduction to EFAs

Essential Fatty Acids are named “essential” due to the fact that they must be consumed to ensure proper bodily functioning,  because they can’t be produced or synthesized by the body.  These fatty acids are found in many plant oils (vegetable oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, etc.), some nuts such as walnuts,  as well as in the majority of fish and shellfish.

Some Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids

Heart Health

The largest and most beneficial effects of essential fatty acids take place in the cardiovascular system.  Numerous studies have proven that some of the many heart benefits include:

  • Regulation of blood pressure
  • Prevention of heart diseases
  • Regulation of the heart beat (prevention of irregular heart rhythms and murmurs)
  • Reduction in the death rate of cardiac cells

Depression

Believe it or not, many studies have shown that proper intake of essential fatty acids will prevent symptoms of depression.  In a study published in the American Medical Association’s Archives of General Psychiatry,  fish oils were found to be effective in treating cases of manic depression and bi-polar disorder due to the chemical reaction in the brain that aided in cell functioning.  In some cases in the study, the EFAs were found to be just as effective as pharmaceuticals in the treatment of the disorders.  The only problem is that drug companies are not willing to fund further studies and use, since fish oils cannot be patented and profited from.

Joint Function

Proper intake of EFAs have been proven to combat joint problems such as arthritis.  The fatty acids in fish oils lubricate joints to ensure pain-free movement, and at the same time, will reduce inflammation in the joint area.

Other Benefits

  • Reduces the risk of Breast Cancer
  • Preventing intestinal inflammation in Crohn’s Disease patients
  • Helps rid the body of cellulite

Dietary Supplementation of EFAs

The problem is, most people do not consume adequate amounts of essential fatty acids in their normal diet.  Without eating the right foods, people not only receive the benefits of EFAs, they become deficient, which causes an array of side effects.  I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not want to be deficient in a nutrient that is labeled “essential”.  That is where supplements come in.

After reading about the benefits, the real question becomes: Why wouldn’t you take an EFA supplement?  It just doesn’t make sense to neglect something that is so vital in the proper functioning of so many body systems.

Now that you have decided to start supplementing your diet with an EFA product, which product is right for you? In today’s day and age, there are tons and tons of vitamins, supplements, and other products claiming to benefit you in one way or another, and with essential fatty acids  it is no different. If you go to Wal-mart, you will find products that are very cheap, which is good for your wallet, but is it really what’s best for your body?  If you go to a health store, such as GNC, you will surely find about 500 different brands (a slight exaggeration) of fish oils, omega-3′s, and other EFA products, but which one should you pick?

The best thing you can do is read the ingredients.  Chances  are, many products you will see in major stores (especially the cheaper ones) will contain filler ingredients that companies put in their products to take up space.  So instead of taking in pure essential fatty acids, you are ingesting filler chemicals which have no benefit whatsoever.  This is done for one reason: the filler ingredients are way cheaper than the actual effective ingredients that you need and they allow for a company to make more money.

My Recommendation

I take great pride in my job as a personal trainer and fitness professional, and part of that job is to make recommendations on all sorts of products from fitness gear to dietary supplements.  I actually use the products that I recommend, and would NEVER recommend something to someone unless I believe it is the best product out there.  I research extensively before I put anything in my body, so if I recommend it, it is not only safe, it is (in my honest opinion) the BEST product available.

I don’t take many dietary supplements aside from a multivitamin and EFA Icon, both from Pro Grade Nutrition. I highly recommend Pro Grade Nutrition due to it unmatched quality in the supplement industry, which can be hard to find. Both of these supplements are all-natural with no synthetic filler ingredients.  The Essential Fatty Acid pill’s main ingredient, as you will see, is 100% pure Antarctic Krill oil, and is the highest quality fish oil supplement on the market.  So if you are interested in a top-quality product, check out the following link.  You will not be disappointed.

BUY Pro Grade Nutrition’s – EFA Icon

Share