What are Omega-3s?
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered synonymous with good health, but what are Omega-3s and why are they so good for us?
What Are Fatty Acids?
Fatty acids are the building blocks of fat that are found in our bodies and the food we eat. They are made of long hydrocarbon chains that are considered either saturated or unsaturated.
Saturated fatty acids have single bonds between the carbon molecules, which means they can pack close together and are usually solid at room temperature. Fats such as triglycerides which are the main types of fat found in the body, and phospholipids which make up cell walls are both types of saturated fats.
Unsaturated fatty acids have one (monounsaturated fats) or multiple (polyunsaturated fats) double bonds between the carbon molecules in the hydrocarbon chain, giving them more of a kink in shape. These types of fats are usually liquid at room temperature and can be found in vegetable and fish oils.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, both polyunsaturated fatty acids, are known as ‘essential’ fatty acids as they cannot be synthesised from scratch in the body and as such must be obtained from a well balanced diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a series of acids, the two main types being Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
There is good evidence that diets rich in DHA & EPA (daily intake of 250mg DHA & EPA) can help the heart, brain and eyes function normally. It is recommended that we eat at least two portions of fish per week, one of which should be from an oily fish such as salmon and sardines.
Maximuscle Omega-3s
If you’re looking to supplement your diet Maximuscle have released Omega-3 capsules packed with 3000mg fish oil in a daily serve of 3 capsules. To get the most out of Maximuscle omega-3s spread your 3 capsules out evenly throughout the day.
