Benefits of Omega-3 for men – whats the big deal?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for various different bodily functions. In fact, without them, your body would end up shutting down competely. It is no surprise that the men of Iceland have the longest life expectancy of any nation – they eat a great deal more fish. Since fish are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, the relationship is obvious.

So why are these fatty acids so important for you?

Ok, so there are 3 ‘types’ of omega3’s – ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid and EPA (eicosapentaenoic). Without getting too scientific, each of these are essential to the body, and need to be ingested through our diets, or through supplemental form. Why? Because none of them can be manufactured by the body.

So, how about those benefits?

Well, first off, omega-3 fatty acids help to improve the health of our arteries, thus reducing plaque build-up, and potentially fatal blood clots. In addition, they will help to lower your ‘bad cholesterol (LDL), and raise your ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL), once again helping to improve circulation and heart health.

These fatty acids also help to improve both joint and bone health. They can reduce the stiffness associated with conditions like arthritis, and can have a positive impact on our calcium levels, helping to reduce instances of bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis.

However, it’s not only for your physical health that you should be making sure you get plenty of omega-3’s into your diet. You will also see improvement to your mental health by helping to insulate the nerve cells of the brain. The result of this is better communication between these cells. A diet that lacks in omega-3’s will often lead to depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and other mental health problems.

On top of all of this, you’ll see improved skin, improved your vision, and even a delayed onset of aging – something we all want to achieve, right? In short, therefore, omega-3 fatty acids make a pretty important addition to any diet.

So, the next question is: where should you get these omega-3’s from?

Well, as mentioned, most fish contain wonderfully rich quantities of these fatty acids, but in particular you’ll want to start including salmon into your diet. On top of this, try eating walnuts and avacados each week as well. Remember, however, that if these foods don’t tickle your fancy, all is not lost. Fish oil supplements can easily help to fill in the gaps. I am currently taking Wholemega’s Whole Fish Oil. It is pretty expensive, but seems to be the I could find.

As with any major nutrient, omega-3’s are crucial to a healthy system. If you want to maintain good health, live longer, happier and have more sex, make sure you start getting enough of these fatty acids into your system today!