In recent years, studies have revealed that Omega 3 and metabolism are closely related. As almost everyone knows these precious components, generally obtained from oily fish or from oil and flax seeds, are not only beneficial for the heart, sight and skin or useful in sports and for muscle health , but they are a real panacea for the entire metabolism. Let’s see in this article what are the benefits we can derive from it, especially if you want to lose weight and keep your liver healthy.
Omega 3 and metabolism: what is the correlation
In case you are trying to obtain valid results in terms of weight loss, perhaps it is useful to know that a valid help in this sense can come from Omega 3: in fact, these also act on the metabolism of lipids and insulin .
Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA / DHA) lower insulin levels, helping the body to burn more efficiently the calories consumed during the day and preventing them from turning into fat, with a valuable anti-lipogenic effect.
Improving the ratio between Omega 6 and Omega 3 in favor of the latter also means improving the blood flow to the muscles, which results in a lesser sense of fatigue during sports activity, reduction in recovery times and, above all, in the ability to burn a greater amount of fat during the same, thus helping you to speed up weight loss and increase lean mass .
We all know how close the link between stress and fat accumulation is , but perhaps not everyone knows that Omega 3s are also useful in controlling cortisol , the so-called stress hormone, which is also responsible for the accumulation of fat; at the same time they increase the production of leptin , a hormone that limits the sense of hunger.
Given these premises, it is easy to understand how the right daily intake of Omega 3 can beneficially affect not only mood and a sense of fatigue, but also in maintaining the right weight and in the ratio between fat mass and lean mass.
The Mediterranean diet is certainly one of the most balanced and healthy ones. Recent studies have turned their gaze precisely to the relationship between a diet supplement with Omega 3 and the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and saturated fats, paying particular attention to the effects of these substances on the liver. According to the analyzes carried out, the entire metabolism undergoes the positive effects of Omega 3 intake, especially in the liver.
DHA and EPAthey have already known beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, but during this study the specific importance of DHA in preventing and limiting the damage deriving from excessive accumulation of fat in the liver was highlighted.
All the benefits of a regular intake of Omega 3
It is no coincidence that these fatty acids are referred to as essential fatty acids or AGEs : our body is not able to produce them by itself, but they must necessarily be taken through nutrition or dietary supplements .
Look for a complete picture of the many benefits that an adequate daily dose of EPA and DHA bringscan bring you, here is a brief summary, without going into the specifics of the chemical reactions involved.
- Cardiovascular health : they lower blood pressure and help reduce triglycerides, thin the blood, regulate the function of platelets and help maintain a good heart rhythm.
- Cholesterol control : they inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reduce its concentration in the blood, especially lowering triglycerides.
- Visual well-being: they help maintain good lacrimation, preventing dry eyes and are necessary for the development and health of the retina.
- Benefits for brain functioning : they can prevent and delay degenerative processes due to advancing age, help memory and the ability to concentrate.
- Benefits for skin, nails and hair : entering the composition of cell membranes, they help create the hydro-lipidic acid film that protects the skin; they counteract cellular aging and prevent the fragility of nails and hair.
- Benefits for mood : as we have seen, they affect the production of hormones such as cortisol, thus proving useful in combating mood disorders.
- Muscle and sport well- being: they reduce perceived effort and recovery times, increase lean mass and the simultaneous consumption of fat.
- General metabolic well-being: they help to improve metabolism in general, favoring its increase and facilitating its processes.
Conclusions
As is evident at this point, taking Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) regularly is essential for maintaining a healthy body and an active metabolism . While adopting a correct lifestyle and a healthy diet, not being able to produce the AGEs alone, it is therefore advisable to rely on specific food supplements , which can also be of purely vegetable origin, paying particular attention to their quality and absence of preservatives, flavors or artificial colors that would reduce its function.