Kayleen Kirsten of El Cajon did not hesitate for a moment when asked to share her natural beauty secret: omega-3 fatty acids. "Fish oil just helps everything," she said, "from nourishing every cell in your body to making your skin and hair gorgeous from the inside out."
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in deep water fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, lake trout, herring and mackerel, and also from plant sources such as walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Fish oils contain the highest ratio of EPA and DHA. Oils with omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources vary chemically from their fish counterparts, they are still an excellent source of EPA and DHA, the key components that make omega-3 oils so potent.
Fish oils and plant-based omega-3 fatty acids have a plethora of medical benefits.
Omega 3 fatty acids help protect the heart from plaque build-up and keep the arteries flexible. The American Heart Association recommends eating salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna at least twice a week to reap heart-health benefits.
Other studies show that omega-3 fatty acids have a significant effect in lowering depression, anxiety, as well as helping slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Further research is being done to see if omega 3's can help improve functioning in patients with Parkinson's Disease.
A very recent study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, cites work done by Harvard researcher, Dr. Lois Smith, demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids help prevent retinopathy, a disease which leads to blindness. This research is especially helpful for people with diabetes since more than half of long-term diabetics are at risk of developing retinopathy.
In addition to preventing major health problems, omega-3 fatty acids have also been proven to reduce inflammation and improve mobility in people with rheumatoid arthritis. And it has been clinically proven to help with psoriasis.
It is no wonder that WebMD lists fatty fish, nuts and seeds high in omega-3 as one of its top 10 food categories to nourish your skin. And Dr. Oz lists them as one of the top 5 critical vitamins every woman should take.
Omega-3 fatty acids are definitely natural beauty powerhouses. Kayleen prefers to get her daily dose from fresh salmon, but concedes that her budget won't allow her to have that delicious treat every day. She takes fish oil supplements in addition to eating nuts and incorporating flaxseeds into her diet. And the results are glowing!
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