Polyunsaturated fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential in many regulatory systems in our bodies. Even more important, they cannot be synthesized by the body. You can only get them from food or supplements!
Two of them that you might have heard of are Omega-3’s and Omega-6’s. Commonly sold as “fish oil,” Omega-3’s are essential in managing the anti-inflammatory regulation of your body, among many other things depending on the stage of life. Omega-6’s are not commonly supplemented because most people can get them through their daily diet; in fact, most people get too much of these Omega-6’s, and that is why supplementation of Omega-3’s is essential.
What are Omega-3’s, and what do they do?
Omega 3’s are, at a base level, structural components of cell membranes (the outside walls of our cells), energy sources, and on top of that, they exert anti-inflammatory effects. While Omega’3’s are the all-encompassing name for them, there are three different versions that all do different things. This picture shows an easy to read chart with the bolded terms the individual states.
The flowchart shows that both Omega 3’s and 6’s both have a starting state that can be converted to the other states. It is important to note that this conversion ratio is not perfect. Some only estimate 10-15% of ALA can be converted to EPA and DHA, for example. DHA is vital for visual and neurological development. Both of them are thought to have positive effects on lower triglyceride count. For this reason, it is essential to have food in your diet with these specific chains of Omega-3’s, which we will go over in this blog post.
Where can I get Omega-3’s?
Fortunately, you can get these in a couple of different places, depending on which form you are looking for. Green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, as well as seeds like chia and flax, are all excellent sources of the parent compound ALA, which is only found in plants.
If you want EPA and DHA, then oily, fatty fish are your best bet. Salmon and mackerel are good places to start with as they’re easier to cook and can be prepared in a variety of ways. If you are not the biggest fan of seafood or want something to add to the fish you do eat, supplements exist! Omega-3 supplements with fish oil, as well as EPA and DHA, are readily available.
We even have some quality Omega-3 fish oil supplements here at Express Chiropractic of Frisco! Standard Process has a fantastic track record of having high-quality products that are used by a plethora of healthcare providers. Their products are locally grown or ethically sourced if they’re unable to produce them in their facilities. They also test for heavy metals and rancidity to verify you’re getting what you’re paying for.
So I just need Omega-3’s, and I’m good?
The body is a complex structure, and it needs more than just one building block making up the being that is you. While Omega-3’s are great for your body for all the reasons listed above, they aren’t able to fix everything. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle involving eating well, exercising, and getting adjusted will all be vital parts in helping it be as effective as possible. These activities are also synergistic, meaning that doing one helps with all the others. Most of them are even compounding, saying that doing them together makes a more substantial effect than doing them separately.
For example, if you’re experiencing back pain, you might not want to exercise while you’re in acute discomfort, but eating healthier (including these Omega-3’s) will help reduce the inflammation in the body so that the adjustment will be able to be more productive. Together all of these factors will allow your body to be the most effective at healing and getting you back to what you want to do!
For more information on Omega-3’s check out this link from Oregon State University where we go the awesome chart above!
Here at Express Chiropractic of Frisco, we are here to help guide you through your health journey. Your first visit includes a consultation, exam, adjustment (if warranted), and a 10-minute deep tissue massage from our licensed massage therapist. You can even get $10 off with this voucher if you present it on your first visit!
The supplements we use are via Standard Process (you need our unique code to order online from them as their supplements require a doctor referal – if you are a patient just ask us on your next visit or send us an email). Standard Process has an excellent Tuna Omega-3 Oil that works great!