The research is clear about omega 3 fatty acids: whether you take them as a supplement or get them from nutritious food from your local health store, they are an essential part of your diet and responsible for many important functions throughout your body. Here are just a few ways that this important aspect of your diet can benefit you:

• Triglyceride regulation. Fish and krill oils have been proven to be more effective and efficient at regulating your triglyceride levels than a statin. Studies show that these oils can reduce the enzyme activity within the liver that causes it to metabolize fat, helping to normalize the levels of cholesterol triglyceride in your blood.
• Cognitive development. If you ever wanted to maximize your child’s chances of reaching his or her potential in school, then you should consider the omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA. Children between the ages of 3 and 5  scored higher on reading and intelligence tests when they had higher levels of omega-3s, and testing also revealed lower incidences of ADHD and other behavioral issues and learning disabilities in children who had more omega-3s.
• Heart health. Perhaps the most well-known benefit of being up to speed on your omega-3s is your heart health. There is a direct correlation to consider: men who eat fish at least once per week are 50% less likely to die of an abrupt cardiac event than men who eat fish less than one time per month.
• Managing rheumatoid arthritis. Studies were compiled in 2012 and revealed that many people taking fish oil reported reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including less stiffness in the morning, reduced pain and swelling in the joints, and not having to rely as much on pain relievers for symptom management.

If you are ready to start benefiting from getting plenty of omega 3 fatty acids in your diet, then you may be asking which sources are the best for you. Should you get your fill from a supplement or from whole foods? And which brands or sources are the best for you?

How do you like to make sure you get enough omega-3s? Which omega-rich foods do you love the most? Share with us in the comments.

Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3s are among the most popular supplemental products on the market. 37% of adults who were surveyed in 2007 indicated they had taken a supplement within the past 30 days of the survey, as well as 31% of children. If you decide to take supplements, you are in good company.

While many people prefer to get as much of their nutrients as possible from eating whole foods, it is not always an option. You may have a busy lifestyle, where cooking is not always an option, but you may also want to avoid eating unhealthy foods from restaurants. If this describes you, then having an omega-3 supplement available can be a lifesaver and a good insurance policy to ensure you get the requisite amount each day.

Generally, professionals recommend a supplement of about 500 mg per day. If you are allergic to shellfish or any kind of seafood, or if you are a vegetarian, be sure to connect with a nutrition expert to find the right supplement made from plant-based materials. If you suffer from heart disease or have other heart conditions, you may want to discuss with your healthcare professional the possibility of taking a higher dose and determining if an omega-3 supplement is the right move for you.

If you decide to get your omega-3 fatty acids from a supplement, make sure you select a health store that is reputable. The store should carry well-known brand names that consistently manufacture high-quality products. You should easily be able to locate the information you want about each product on the label, and consult with the professionals within the store about the right supplement for you. A store like Better Living in Toronto can be a valuable resource for people who are trying to be healthy.

Omega-3 Foods

Many people love to get their omega-3 fatty acids from food sources. We encourage this as much as possible, and recommend that you pick foods from a health food store. They tend to have some of the best suppliers of nutritious, high-quality food that is enriched with the vitamins and minerals you want.

Some good sources of omega-3s include various types of fatty fish, enriched eggs and dairy products, whole grains, leafy vegetables, and various types of cooking oils. You should also consider snacking on foods like nuts and edamame to get plant-based omega-3s. If you are a meat eater, consider swapping out some of your traditional meat with grass-fed or pasture-fed options. Animals fed on these types of diets have a much better ratio of omega-3 to omega 6 fatty acids.

Finding a Good Health Food Store

If you are ready to start getting your share of omega-3s and other health foods, vitamins, and minerals, then you should consider shopping at a health food store. A store like Better Living helps you in a number of ways:

• Provides you with a wide range of healthy products so you can always have new ideas for making healthy eating exciting;
• Keeps you from picking up unhealthy products like those found in traditional grocery stores;
• Gives you access to supplemental products and healthy food all in one stop, so you do not have to shop at multiple locations to get what you need to be healthy;
• Has staff on-hand to answer your health needs and to provide other health services.

Consider stopping in to Better Living in Toronto for your health and shopping needs. We help you live the healthy lifestyle you have always wanted.