We all know that omega 3 fatty acids are healthy for the heart.  But did you know that omega 3 could well be the natural bone health solution we have been looking for?  According to a recent study in the United States, docosahexaenoic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid, may help increase the mineral content of bones and improve our bones' overall strength and health.

The study however, does not state whether another fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, is capable of providing the same bone health benefits. The study made use of a special x-ray technology that allowed the researchers to measure the mineral content of the bones of rats.

The statement was countered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which stated that the former (eicosapentaenoic acid) may potentially help in bone loss during missions to outer space.  This statement directly counters the parameters of the first argument, which states that it is docosahexaenoic acid is the bone-saving omega 3 fatty acid.

Not enough omega 3

In the United States, heart diseases and osteoporosis are the top diseases for individuals 40 and above (or even younger).  Omega 3 addresses both of these chronic and degenerative conditions, which means that if you don't take enough of the fatty acid, you could very well be putting yourself at a lot of risk.  It is not enough that you get some omega 3 through your diet.

You have to get sufficient omega 3 fatty acids to reap the benefits.  Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally occurring compounds in cold water fishes.  The food source for this vital nutrient is widely available, however, folks are still not getting enough.

Usually, people get lots of omega 6 fatty acids which is not the same as omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 6 are damaged fatty acids found in processed cooking oils. Instead of improving bone health and hearth health, omega 6 fast tend to encourage inflammation in the body.  This is dangerous, because many health conditions are associated with chronic inflammation.

The ratio of one's consumption of healthy omega 3 fats and not-so-healthy omega 6 fats should be close to 1:1. This way, the benefits of the former would far outweigh the disadvantages of the latter.  If there is a large imbalance between the two types of fatty acids, negative health conditions could very well occur: high blood pressure, type II diabetes, morbid obesity, etc.

Heart-healthy benefits of omega 3

How does omega 3 help the heart, in the first place?  Here is a quick rundown of its heart-healthy benefits:

1. Omega 3 prevents and actively counters irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
   
   
2. Omega 3 prevents thrombosis from occurring.  Thrombosis, or clots that emerge in veins and arteries, is dangerous because it can cause embolisms (traveling clots) and a myriad of other health problems.
   
   
3. Omega 3 also helps in reducing the amount of fat being stored in arteries. When fat is deposited in arteries, the arteries become narrower, and the risk for heart-related problems increase exponentially, as one ages and continues with an unhealthy lifestyle.
   
   
4. Omega 3 also actively counters inflammation or swelling in the body.
   
   
5. Triglyceride levels are controlled, as well as one's blood pressure.

As you can see, omega 3 fatty acids provides just too many heart-healthy benefits to ignore. Unlike drugs prescribed for heart diseases, omega 3 is a very well rounded natural compound that addresses many problems, not just one or two problems.

Plant omega 3 vs. animal omega 3

There are also omega 3 fatty acids in plants. However the omega 3 in plants, ALA, is not as beneficial as the DHA, which is found in animals. ALA has to be converted by the body before it can be of any use, as opposed to DHA which can be used immediately by the body.

As such, it cannot be possibly viewed as something that can be used as a replacement for fish oil (the main source of omega 3). A person that is obese and already has cardiovascular problems would have a hard time converting ALA to a usable form.

This defeats the purpose of taking omega 3 in the first place. Also, ALA has not been noted for providing the same heart-healthy and bone-healthy benefits as EPA and DHA.

Zeroing in on bone health

In addition to omega 3 fatty acids, bone health can be improved by exercising regularly, engaging in a diet that has plenty of daily servings of vegetables and animal proteins. As for supplements, you need vitamin K and vitamin B12, which are needed for bone growth and repair.

More reasons to love omega 3

As we have mentioned earlier in this article, omega 3 isn't just healthy for the heart – it provides other health advantages as well:

1. Eating foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids can help lower apoproteins, which are present in high levels in diabetics.
   
   
2. Omega 3 naturally lowers inflammation, which may help rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.
   
   
3. Fish oil may help control the symptoms produced by the health condition lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes chronic pain in the joints.
   
   
4. Omega 3 may help women by reducing the pain associated with monthly periods.

Sources
articles.mercola.com
umm.edu