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Omega 3’s are essential fatty acid molecules that make and repair the body’s cells and organs. They can raise “good” cholesterol to help unclog veins and arteries. While Omega-6 is a pro-inflammatory fatty acid, Omega-3 is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. Our modern society consumes excessive amounts of foods loaded with harmful Omega-6 oils. Omega-3 supplements are one of the basics now recommended by doctors for heart health, improved metabolism, and brain function.

Nearly every system in the body can benefit from Omega 3, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, circulatory system, reproductive system, nervous system, as well as joints.

What is does:

Increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol and decreased triglycerides.
Lowers blood pressure significantly in individuals with hypertension.
Helps protect against strokes caused by plaque buildup and blood clots in the arteries that lead to the brain.
Help lower triglycerides and apoproteins (markers of diabetes), and raise ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL)
Reduce tenderness in joints, decrease morning stiffness, and allow for a reduction in the amount of medication needed for people with rheumatoid arthritis
Help increase levels of calcium in the body, deposit calcium in the bones, and improve bone strength
Important components of nerve cell membranes. They help nerve cells communicate with each other, which is an essential step in maintaining good mental health.
May decrease inflammation and improve lung function in adults with asthma
Appears to reduce the risk of some cancers
Promotes a healthy heart
Thins the blood
Improves functioning of the nervous system
Relieves depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit, hyperactivity and autism
Improves sleep, improves skin condition, helps balance hormones
Reduces insulin resistance.

Deficiency Signs:

Dry skin, eczema, dry hair or dandruff, excessive thirst, excessive sweating, poor memory or learning difficulties, inflammatory health problems, eg arthritis, high blood lipids, depression, PMS or breast pain, water retention.

Sources:

Our intake of Omega 6 can be too high because of our diets (corn, soy, sunflower, margarine and other oils) but Omega 3 is only available from good quality oily fish sources like Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel and Cod Liver oil.

There is a study, published in the prestigious journal Neurology, where M.R.I. scans were used to measure brain volume and blood tests to record vitamin B12 levels.

They divided the subjects into three groups, based on their level of the vitamin, and followed them for five years with annual scans and physical and mental examinations.

The group with the lowest levels of vitamin B12 lost twice as much brain volume as those with the highest levels. The difference was significant, even after controlling for initial brain size, age, sex, education, cognitive test scores and various measures of blood chemistry.

What it does:

Vitamin B12 is crucial to brain function and the overall health of your nervous system. It’s the engine behind your body’s ability to make blood. Every cell in your body uses it to convert fuel into energy. It’s also the key to DNA synthesis and regulation, and enables your body to produce life-giving fatty acids.*

Deficiency signs:
Anemia
Fatigue
Poor nerve function
Diarrhea
Memory loss

Here’s another thing about B12: it powerfully lowers levels of homocysteine, one of the key indicators for heart health.*

That’s because — at high enough levels — homocysteine provokes an inflammatory response across every system in your body, blood vessels included.

In the past, medicine has completely overlooked this key factor in heart health, focusing instead on cholesterol. That’s a real shame, because the fact is that homocysteine’s the real culprit. And its consequences are entirely preventable.

In fact, all folks really need to keep homocysteine levels in check is to get about 500 mcg of B12 per day.

Sources:

Lean meats—particularly grass-fed beef—and organ meats are a great source of B12. Here’s a list of other good sources:

Clams, trout, salmon, haddock, tuna, milk. Vit B 12 is not generally found in plant foods.

* Courtesy The Doctor’s Heart Cure – Al Sears, MD.