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What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 2)

April 29, 2011 by 33 Comments

What exactly are omega-3s?  Why are they important for your health?  The most simple explanation I’ve seen, comes from the book Eat, Drink , and be Healthy, by Dr. Walter Willett.  Regarding omega-3s, Dr. Willett wrote:

“They are essential fats…your body needs them for normal functions, and it can’t make them from scratch.”

How powerful is that!  Your body can’t manufacture omega-3s, yet needs them for your body to properly function.

Researchers have found that omega-3s, help with the fluidity of the cell membranes in your body.  These cell membranes allow necessary nutrients to enter the cells, while also removing waste products from the cells.  Healthier cells lead to a healthier life for you.  For a good discussion of this process, check out this article at WHFoods.com.

There are three main types of omega-3s.  I promise this will be the only time in this series I’ll use big time words, but these are the official names:

  • Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA);
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA);
  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

In most Western diets, ALA is the primary source of omega-3s.  ALA is found in vegetable oils and nuts, leafy vegetables, and grass-fed animal fats.  The primary source EPA and DHA is fish, also called Marine omega-3s.  According to Dr. Willett, your body uses ALA mainly for energy.  However, your body can also transform ALA into EPA and DHA.  Unfortunately, EPA and DHA don’t transform into ALA.  Since the body does not convert enough ALA into the EPA and DHA forms of omega-3s, so you may need to take omega-3 supplements to meet your deficiency.

Research has shown that DHA, has an important role in the health of brain and nerve cells.  Additionally, EPA has been shown to aid in the prevention of hearth disease.  Omega-3s also produce hormones, that regulate inflammation and help keep heart artery walls flexible.  There are extensive scientific discussions regarding omega-3s, far beyond the intended scope of this post.  However, if you’d like to read all the science stuff, check out this article from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

When you join me for Part 3 of this series, you’ll find out great sources for getting more omega-3s in your diet.  It’s your life, live well.

twitt Whats The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 2)

Related posts:

  1. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 5)
  2. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 3)
  3. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 1)
  4. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 4)
Filed Under: Anti-aging, Dietary Supplements, Mens Health, Omega 3s, Womens Health Tagged With: , , , , ,

What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 1)

April 26, 2011 by 20 Comments

Do you want to lower your risk of  heart attack and stroke?  What’s the essential fatty acid that affects every cell of your body?  If you answered the first question YES, you obviously want to live a long, good life.  However, if the second question left you puzzled, then I suggest you read further.

In a recent WebMD feature, Dr. David C. Leopold of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine Stated:

“Pretty much every body’s diet is deficient in Omega-3s…I think that’s why adding them back in seems to have so many health benefits.  We’re just balancing out what’s normally there.”

In other words, the vast majority of us aren’t getting enough of this essential fatty acid  in our bodies.

This series will cover vital information concerning the risks of failing to get adequate amounts of  omega-3s in your diet.  You will increase your awareness of:

  • Essential fatty acids and their role in your health;
  • Good sources of omega-3s;
  • Health benefits associated with omega-3s;
  • Avoiding risks in taking these supplements.

Join me next, for Part 2 in this series.  It’s your life, live well.

twitt Whats The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 1)

Related posts:

  1. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 2)
  2. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 3)
  3. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 5)
  4. What’s The Big Deal About Omega3s? (Part 4)
Filed Under: Anti-aging, Dietary Supplements, Omega 3s Tagged With: , , , , ,

Women, Love Your Hearts!

April 21, 2011 by 148 Comments

Did you know that every minute, a woman dies from Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)?  Yes, one woman dies every minute.  Despite all the emphasis on prevention and an increased awareness of CVD risk, it appears that many women have yet to heed the advice.  This is an astounding number to me, given that CVD is for the most part preventable.  But, the numbers don’t lie!  There appears to be a substantial gap between what heart health for women could be, and where it actually stands right now.

The American Heart Association (AHA) released its 2011 guidelines for women on February 11th.  Published in the journal Circulation, the report covered the “usual suspects” such as obesity, lack of regular exercise, and poor diet.  However, the report indicates a history of pregnancy complications, as factors leading to CVD problems later in life.  Additionally, the study suggested that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and folic acid, may not prevent CVD in menopausal women.

Ladies, do yourselves a favor, and read an excellent review of the guidelines posted on Medicinenet.  Don’t become a member of the statistic mentioned earlier in this post.

It’s your life, live well.

twitt Women, Love Your Hearts!

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  1. How Women Can Prevent Heath Disease!
  2. Women, Don’t Forget Your Multivitamins!
  3. Can Black Cohosh Keep Women Cool?
  4. Can 20 Minutes Of Exercise Save Your Heart?
Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Exercise/Fitness, New Research, Weight Loss, Weight Management, Womens Health Tagged With: , ,

Are Your Supplements Safe?

April 20, 2011 by 53 Comments

Recently,the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted an article on its site concerning fraudulent dietary supplements.  The FDA has been cracking down on supplement makers on issues ranging from breach of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to Adverse Event Reports (AERs).  These are some of the standards supplement makers are required to comply with, according to FDA regulations.

The FDA found several manufacturers failed to adequately investigate consumer complaints, as required with AERs.  As a result, the FDA recalled nearly 300 products for incidents such as kidney failure, stroke and even death.  The recalled products were primarily related to sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building.

The bottom line:  before you take any supplements, check the brand and it’s ingredients against  the FDA Enforcement Reports.  For more information regarding fraudulent supplements, read the article here.

It’s your life, live well.

twitt Are Your Supplements Safe?

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Filed Under: Dietary Supplements, Mens Health, Quality & Safety, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: ,

What Do You Really Know About Vitamins?

April 20, 2011 by 22 Comments

While reading the Sunday newspaper a couple of weeks ago, I came across a short article in Parade magazine.  Written by Camille Noe Pagan, the article touched on mistakes people make  taking vitamins.  I believe these mistakes apply to other supplements as well.

Camille suggested folks avoid making 4 common mistakes:

  • Taking multivitamins without a meal;
  • Believing vitamins can help correct a poor diet;
  • Assuming the more vitamins taken, the better for you;
  • Failing to discuss your vitamin intake with your doctor.

Though I’m a strong believer in the role vitamins play in my well-being, I agree with everything in Camille’s article.  It would be poor judgement for anyone to think taking vitamins can make up for a bad diet and lack of exercise.  Vitamins are just one piece in your arsenal of wellness tools.  Take them for the right reasons and with the proper care.

It’s your life, live well.

twitt What Do You Really Know About Vitamins?

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  2. Can Vitamins Kill You?
  3. Dental Toxins Plus Low Vitamin C Equals Trouble! (Part 2)
  4. Women, Protect Your Bones! (Part 2)
Filed Under: Antioxidants, Dietary Supplements, Mens Health, Vitamins, Womens Health Tagged With: , ,
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