• About
  • Work With Me
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • FAQ
Login
8 Supplements for Vitality
Harmony & Hope: FREE Webinar

Omega 3's And Fish Oils

Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are More Important Than Ever?

The body needs all sorts of different fats to function properly. Even saturated fats play a critical role for survival. Like a miraculous chemistry set, the body can typically convert most types of fat into whatever type it is missing. Omega-3's, however, are an exception. They are one of only a few types of fats called “essential” because your body cannot make its own supply. Omega-3s must be consumed, either through diet or supplements.

 

Omega-3 fats are in the headlines so much today because we’ve discovered just how powerful they are at controlling inflammation. It is also used for many other reasons, like helping reduce triglycerides, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, dermatitis, ADHD and can help with cognition, dementia along with depression. 

 

Deficiency of Omega-3's can lead to low energy, depression, weakness, vision and learning problems, dry skin, poor hair and nail growth, impaired digestion, increased risk of auto-immune conditions, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, weak bones, impaired liver and kidney function, poor glandular performance, poor reproductive performance, and greater likelihood of becoming overweight.

 

 

What The Latest Research On Omega-3 and Fish Oils Is Proving

Latest research has led to the breakdown of Omega-3 and the 3 different types there are.

 

Here are the 3 different types of Omega-3 and how they help the body:

  • EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
    • Reduces inflammation throughout the body, especially for

      your heart, arteries, and brain (including depression)

  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
    • Reduces inflammation throughout the body, especially for

      your heart, arteries, and brain (including depression)

  • ALA (alpha-linolenic acid)

    • Reduces triglycerides, blood sugar, and potentially harmful LDL

      cholesterol.

    • Can be converted to EPA or DHA

Between poor overall conversion of ALA plus common inadequate dietary intake of EPA and DHA, most people likely need an Omega-3 supplement to reach adequate levels of this critical nutrient.​​​​​​​

Typical Supplement Dosage

So we need to dose between 2000 milligrams and 4000 milligrams of EPA and DHA. 

Some side effects that you might experience mainly are:

  • GI
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Loose Stools
  • Some people can experience fish burps

But there can be some issues with some anticoagulation because it can help in the blood. So if you're on any kind of blood thinners, you definitely would want to talk to a health care provider before starting. 

Omega-3 In Food!

  • Salmon
  • Mackerel
  • Halibut
  • Sardines
  • Anchovies
  • For vegans, algae, which is the dietary source of omega-3s
  • Flaxseed (freshly ground)
  • Walnuts
  • Chia Seeds
  • Hemp
  • Navy Beans
  • Avocado

The Timeline

  • 1978: 
    • The Greenland "Lancet" Journal was groundbreaking research that was published by the indigenous people of Greenland, prompting a rethinking of fats which catapults omega threes into the spotlight and puts them on the medical and scientific map. 
  • 1985:
    • New England Journal of Medicine; three major papers; one about epidemiology, one about clinical medicine, and one about basic science. As these articles are in the most prestigious medical journal in the world, they put omega threes in the mainstream in a big way.
  • 1989:
    • The Fish and Heart Study, published in Lancet medical journal; a paper showing that eating fish for two years reduced all causes of mortality (Death) for people who have experienced a heart attack. So, prevention of death after you've had a heart attack
  • 1999:
    • GI SSI study. The first well-powered study using fish oil supplements, not just eating fish. So it is not just a dietary change to reduce the risk for death, cardiovascular death and sudden cardiac death, all without meaningful lowering of cholesterol or triglycerides.
  • 2004:
    • The Omega Three Index is proposed as a new risk factor. Dr. Bill Harris published a paper in the Journal of Preventative Medicine proposing the Omega three index as a new risk factor for cardiovascular death. And just to give you a little bit about this test; the lower your number the more likely you are to have an issue; the higher your number, the least likelihood you are to have a cardiovascular event.
  • 2010 - 2018:
    • Stalemate years
  • 2018 - Now:
    • Reduce-IT Study. Major development, pointing to the fact that one has to take a high enough dose of omega threes to get its benefits.

In Conclusion

  • Take your diet into consideration and current health issues before supplementing for Omega-3; talk with your primary health care provider if you are on blood thinners before supplementing for Omega-3
  • When supplementing, make sure you're taking the correct dosage for YOU
  • Omega-3 can be easily eaten or supplemented, so take your pick 😉

Related Posts

Magnesium - The Master Mineral

Magnesium is a vital mineral that plays a crucial role in more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Read that one more time. If we're deficient in magnesium, we affect over 300 processes in our body. Click below to find out just some of the critical functions Magnesium impacts.

Continue Reading

11 Essential Lab Tests Everyone Should Consider

What comes to mind when you think of ways to be proactive about your health? If things like a healthy diet, exercise, and getting plenty of sleep pop into your head, you're certainly not wrong, BUT there's one step that is often overlooked... Running Essential Lab Tests... Click below to learn more about what labs are essential!

Continue Reading

Dr. Deborah Bowers

822 B E Liberty St

York, SC 29745

(803)628-7934

Company

HomeAboutWork With MeBlogContactFAQ

Resources

Member LoginBowers Favorite RecipesFavorite Products

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimers Accessibility Statement Cookie Policy

© 2025 Dr. Deborah Bowers. All Rights Reserved.

Site Conceived By HealthProWebsite.com

Join Our Email List for Updates on Our Free Webinar:

 

 

At the moment, our webinars are only available in person, but we may offer them via Zoom in the future. Stay up to date by providing your email below, and you'll be the first to know when we add virtual options. The webinar will be hosted by:

 

Dr. Deborah Bowers, PharmD, RPh, AFMC

 

[email protected]

 

*Please note all emails will come from Kartra, make sure they do not get put into spam* 

I confirm that I am at least 16 years of age or older

I have read and accept any EULA, Terms and Conditions, Acceptable Use Policy, and/or Data Processing Addendum which has been provided to me in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I have been fully informed and consent to the collection and use of my personal data for any purpose in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I understand that certain data, including personal data, must be collected or processed in order for you to provide any products or services I have requested or contracted for. I understand that in some cases it may be required to use cookies or similar tracking to provide those products or services..

I understand that I have the right to request access annually to any personal data you have obtained or collected regarding me. You have agreed to provide me with a record of my personal data in a readable format.

I also understand that I can revoke my consent and that I have the right to be forgotten. If I revoke my consent you will stop collecting or processing my personal data. I understand that if I revoke my consent, you may be unable to provide contracted products or services to me, and I can not hold you responsible for that.

Likewise, if I properly request to be forgotten, you will delete the data you have for me, or make it inaccessible. I also understand that if there is a dispute regarding my personal data, I can contact someone who is responsible for handling data-related concerns. If we are unable to resolve any issue, you will provide an independent service to arbitrate a resolution. If I have any questions regarding my rights or privacy, I can contact the email address provided.

We respect your privacy. Your data will not be shared or sold.

Powered by KARTRA

{:lang_general_banner_cookie_disclaimer}
{:lang_general_banner_cookie_cookie} {:lang_general_banner_kartra_cookie}
{:lang_general_banner_cookie_privacy}
{:lang_general_powered_by} KARTRA