Omega 3

Homeopathy advice from G.Baldwin

Q. What is Omega 3?

A. Omega 3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat with the scientific name of alpha linolenic acid.  We should all include it in our diet for its health benefits but because it's not a substance that our bodies can manufacture we need to find other ways of making sure we get a regular intake. 

Q. What does Omega 3 do?

A. You'll have probably heard the advice that we should include at least a couple of servings of oily fish in our diet each week.  In practice, there are a lot of people who don't like, or fail to eat oily fish regularly so they overcome this by taking a supplement.  Cod Liver Oil is one of the favourites, or try Evening Primrose Oil, Borage and Fish Oil, available from Baldwins, which provides a balance of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. As well as being good for your skin Omega 3 has been shown to be an anti-inflammatory and offer some protection against heart disease.  Studies have also concluded that it can be of help to people suffering from depression and bi-polar disease.

Q. Do I have to take supplements or can I include Omega 3 as part of my normal diet?

A. Omega 3 can certainly be included as part of your diet.  Oily fish such as mackerel, salmon or sardines is a rich source, as is offal.  If you are a vegetarian you may be missing out on this important nutrient, so try taking rape seed oil or flax seed oil instead.  You can either mix this into other foods, take it as a capsule or add the seeds to salads, but crush them first otherwise your body won't be able to absorb the important part of the seed properly.  You can also find Omega 3 fatty acids in walnuts and tofu and, to a smaller extent, in leafy green vegetables.  

Q. Does Omega 3 really give you more brain power?

If your mother told you that eating fish was good for the brain, she was spot on!  Studies are being done on how Omega 3 affects the connective tissue in the brain, especially whilst the baby is developing in the womb and in children during their during formative years.  These studies look at how Omega 3 affects the cell membranes; the theory is that an increase in this type of fatty acid may make it easier for signals to travel around the brain by opening up the channels that control the flow of electrical impulses.  It's fair to say that there's little conclusive evidence at the moment, but initial studies have been promising enough for scientists to want to further their work in this field.

If you are pregnant or breast feeding always consult your doctor before taking any supplements and read the labels carefully.  Baldwins helpline staff will be pleased to help you choose products that are right for you.  Contact them on 020 7703 5550.

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