Omega-3: What Is It And Why Should We Be Taking It?

With more vitamins and supplements available to us than ever, it can be a daunting task trying to narrow down the ones that you should be taking, not to mention the ones that will give you the best results.

Omega-3 is something we’ve all probably heard of, but perhaps don’t know exactly what it does, or why we need it. It’s called an essential fatty acid for a reason, meaning it’s essential for our bodies to function. Despite this, many of us aren’t getting enough in our diets.

Fish is one great source of omega-3 for most of us, but making sure you get enough into your diet is as easy as getting your hands on MINAMI MorEPA Platinum + Vitamin D3. It’s an easy-to-take, highly concentrated softgel tablet, containing plenty of omega-3, as well as Vitamin D3. In short, it’s a great addition to just about any diet – with potential benefits for our hearts, blood pressure, brain function, vision, muscle function, bones and teeth.

To find out more and to get a clearer picture of the benefits of omega-3, we enlisted MINAMI nutritionist Jo Sharp to answer STELLAR reader’s questions. Read on for your chance to win an exclusive MINAMI wellness bundle including three of the fabulous MINAMI omega-3 products – MorEPA Original, MorEPA Platinum Elite +1000 IU Vitamin D3, and MorEPA Mind.

Q: What is omega-3 actually good for?

The benefits of omega-3 are far and wide, from maintaining a healthy heart and brain, to eyes and vision. It is also essential for foetal brain and eye development during pregnancy.

Omega-3 has two important fatty acids that have been extensively studied; these are known as EPA and DHA. Starting with EPA, we have seen emerging evidence that omega-3 can have a positive effect on the mood, when taking 500mg or more daily.

Then there’s DHA. This is a key structural component of the skin, keeping cell membranes healthy and protecting against signs of premature ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles. Omega-3 supplementation may help to keep the skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated. Similarly, omega-3 supplements may help benefit hair by providing vital nourishment to keep it strong and thick. What’s more, omega-3 may help to soothe a dry or flaky scalp.

Some research also links low levels of DHA with low melatonin. Melatonin has a key role in helping us fall and stay asleep, hence sleep deprivation may be more common in people who are not getting enough omega-3 through their diet.

Q: Does everybody need to take omega-3?

This depends on each person’s requirements. We know from research that around 90% of the global population is either deficient or insufficient in omega-3.

Q: Is there anything we shouldn’t take with omega-3? In terms of other vitamins, protein powders?

No! Omega-3 can be taken alongside any other supplements or protein powders.

Q: What is the recommended daily amount of omega-3? How much salmon would be RDA a day?

There is no RDA for omega-3, but the government recommends eating two portions of oily fish a week.

Q: Does quality matter?

The quality of the omega-3 supplement can make all the difference. MINAMI has superior quality; it uses 70% less heat than other omega-3 brands and batch tests everything to ensure you get high purity and high concentrations. Each softgel has up to 95% concentration vs 30% typically found in other brands.

Q: How much omega-3 is too much? I take one cod liver oil tablet per day and I sometimes have salmon and avocado for breakfast, am I overdoing it?

This depends on how concentrated your cod liver oil capsule is. We know from MINAMI that the concentration of omega-3 in each softgel can make all the difference, and that’s why looking at the concentration of EPA and DHA is important. One portion of salmon per week does not meet the recommendations. Avocados, on the other hand, are rich in omega-6 fats but less so in omega-3. The omega-3 in plant foods like avocados contain the ALA form of omega-3, which the body then needs to convert into the most active forms of omega-3 that are EPA and DHA. This is why MINAMI Platinum can be a more convenient way of ensuring you have enough of the essential omega-3.

Q: Omega-3 is often associated with fish – are there also vegetarian sources?

Vegetarian sources of omega-3 include foods such as walnuts, chia and hemp seeds, to name but a few. The omega-3 found in plant foods is in the ALA form and acts as precursor to EPA and DHA, which are the two active forms that most of the research focuses on. Our bodies need EPA and DHA so relying on plants for omega-3 may not be an easy way to ensure we get enough of it.

Algae also contain omega-3, which is why we can find omega-3 algae based supplements such as the MINAMI VeganDHA, suitable for vegan and vegetarians.

Q: What vitamins should someone take to strengthen their immune system?

Vitamin D is fundamental for a healthy immune system. MINAMI Platinum has 1000IU of Vitamin D3; D3 is the active form of Vitamin D.

MINAMI MorEPA Platinum + Vitamin D is available in Inish Pharmacies nationwide and online at minamihealth.co.uk

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WIN! We’ve teamed up with MINAMI to give you the chance to win an exclusive wellness bundle including three of the fabulous MINAMI omega-3 products – MorEPA Original, MorEPA Platinum Elite +1000 IU Vitamin D3, and MorEPA Mind! Get all of the details below…

 

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