7 incredible benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

7 incredible benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

Understanding the benefits of the nutrients in different foods helps determine which ones to add to the meal plan. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that perform many essential bodily functions and are found in several everyday foods, including fatty fish, flaxseeds, plant oils, and guavas. Eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid are the three primary types of omega-3 fatty acids. Let’s have a look at some benefits of eating omega-3-rich foods regularly. Lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases Triglycerides increase one’s susceptibility to atherosclerosis, a condition that gradually thickens the arteries and increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglyceride levels in the body, thus reducing one’s susceptibility to heart diseases and arrhythmia. Good eye health Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, forms a crucial part of the retina. An absence of it in the eyes can lead to compromised vision. Thus, foods rich in omega-3 can help prevent eye problems like macular degeneration and permanent blindness. DHA is mainly found in fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, herring, and shellfish. Resistance to auto-immune diseases Omega-3 fatty acids can help the body fight auto-immune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps relieve psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Exercise – An effective solution in cancer management

Exercise – An effective solution in cancer management

In the past, doctors typically advised cancer patients to rest and avoid physical activity. However, early exercise cancer research (or research oncology) in the 1990s and 2000s contradicted this advice. This field has grown exponentially over the past decade, with over 1000 randomized controlled trials. Evidence now overwhelmingly suggests that those living with cancer can greatly benefit from being physically active. Therefore, exercise can now be precisely prescribed to address several cancer-related conditions. How does exercise help mitigate cancer-related outcomes? Studies in exercise oncology can be traced back to the 1980s when research by a leading state university found that breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who exercised daily experienced less fatigue, nausea, and disability from the treatments. This kickstarted research in the field to find out the relationship between exercise and cancer. In 2019, a panel of experts found that doing half an hour of aerobic exercise three times a week during and after cancer treatment can ease fatigue, anxiety, and depression and improve quality of life and physical functioning. The panel also concluded that there was no increased risk of lymphedema from resistance exercise twice a week. However, researchers do currently lack evidence as to whether exercise can help improve other health outcomes such as peripheral neuropathy, cardiotoxicity, cognitive functioning, pain, or chemotherapy completion rate.
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