What are omega-3 fatty acids? Why do we need them?

Written by: Mantasha Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra

[{"selector":"#anim-979c9825-f0c1-4b67-8bd9-fb97aca9a70a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bde99fd8-68d7-4b22-9772-3959dd2bd53a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.34473%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that our body cannot produce on its own, so we must get them from food sources or supplements. These polyunsaturated fats play a crucial role in various bodily functions. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

[{"selector":"#anim-2fcf13a7-e78e-4d1b-99d2-d6fe7fc5ef6f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6251e3fc-2faf-4fa5-b8db-85359cbd8a7b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 282.25302%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Why Do We Need Omega-3s? Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Brain Health

[{"selector":"#anim-477c842f-b199-4e74-ba70-f5d865f69724","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-73060f60-6573-4708-8665-5ab6a6f8f945","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.61535%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b04c74a7-9ac8-4c1d-bef6-7f9b9183e651","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b56e9462-e9c8-45ba-b69e-94bc985f9552","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 681.17314%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Omega-3s, especially DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are vital for brain development and function, helping with memory, mood, and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Heart Health

[{"selector":"#anim-382db80c-51ab-47fa-95fd-f9120c100c02","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b988cabf-a522-4e44-a093-4a9f4a8dc196","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.19330%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-177da23a-7674-4f7f-af2d-c7a905b9d654","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-925100fc-783f-4deb-8cbf-aa9391f00f52","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 645.06201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] These fats help lower bad cholesterol, keep blood pressure in check, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Helps in Muscle Recovery

[{"selector":"#anim-5eecd0ec-4d5c-4178-8c07-7f0dbc9d544c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9dc5a4da-6c66-436e-b8c5-d9bd972d4531","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 132.34396%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f49797b1-fc50-4722-898d-6b38296a020d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6639aaa3-96c9-4f02-91dc-4285665bd084","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 370.91493%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Omega-3s have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve joint pain, arthritis, and muscle soreness. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Eye Health

[{"selector":"#anim-ff0ad76e-2a97-4e25-80a3-dafbc3149926","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d79d0c88-2a1f-493a-a949-722eef3a3882","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 173.69610%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f2edac56-b5c9-4e83-bd6f-4df15cd95755","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc1fe9b6-0402-4f14-a4d4-ca217a3bffb3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 545.06201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] DHA is a key component of our eyes, helping to protect against vision loss as we age. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Skin & Hair Benefits

[{"selector":"#anim-f9f9c0cc-f726-452a-8646-8d6659701bea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e6ddd5c-a880-401f-a85d-1eec54a9ca92","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 173.69610%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-024dfbb7-e249-4e6b-9ce2-368eb87e7939","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0b7543e-8912-42e0-959d-eddaacc68439","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 545.06201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] They help maintain skin hydration, reduce acne, and promote healthy hair growth. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Support During Pregnancy

[{"selector":"#anim-0452bf18-3502-4b6a-bcdb-d8cd40e3b272","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6411bcc3-dc17-4dd7-b2c4-9c0fbfa532c9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 132.34396%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc59c928-6bfd-4ecc-b3fb-cb4701e11e38","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0966cd7b-904a-44a9-adad-976abce86469","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 376.45124%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Omega-3s are crucial for a baby’s brain and eye development, making them especially important for moms-to-be. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Where Can You Get Omega-3s?

[{"selector":"#anim-9b250c08-f78b-4734-972e-456ced6c038c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fefc82a-f79b-41ba-81b6-45ed2e5559c8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 128.20014%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e9c01e6-c669-4194-be1c-435b5a67cb07","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c37a271d-c39d-4049-9354-4b2b9d20c98f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 412.27210%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The best sources include fatty fish like salmon, plant-based options like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. If you don’t eat enough of these, a supplement can help. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Get your omega-3 supplement for a healthier body & mind

[{"selector":"#anim-fc52a9c5-f270-4ea5-ab5f-ca41f1f8636b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.0418%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb6bc388-52f4-43f4-a9e5-1dc556307915","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a445d702-ca0f-43c1-8cda-d2cff312834a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

If you found this helpful,

[{"selector":"#anim-4565046b-7b84-43c7-83c1-31f3f575a82c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0f1ba00-9895-425e-9166-dcc727b9df11","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 179.61058%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a517396b-7ce0-400b-8798-0a76fca83dfa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f74f55e0-0deb-459d-9d88-7aae0907870f","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-270deg) translate3d(0px, -2448.9724%, 0) rotate(270deg)","rotate(-270deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(270deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Tap on that love ❤️ button. Stay tuned for what’s coming next! Video Credit: Tata 1mg Arrow