The many health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids help build and keep the baby’s bones strong. Fish is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which provide great resistance to common illness such as flu and colds for the expectant mother. They help increase the energy level of both the mother and child and the ability of the mother to concentrate. They also help reduce cardiovascular possibilities such as non-fatal heart attacks and strokes in the mother-to-be.

Omega 3 fatty acids have many other health benefits, as described below.

Asthma

Pregnant women who feed on fish give their unborn children resistance against asthma. It is also believed that once born children who feed on fish regularly may be less likely to develop asthma.

Brain and eyesight

Omega 3 fatty acids contribute to the health of brain tissue and the retina (the back of the eye).

Cancer

Scientists believe that Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish may reduce by 30 to 50 per cent the risk of many types of cancers especially cancer of the oral cavity, oesophagus (the canal connecting the throat to the stomach), colon (main part of the large intestine), breast, ovary and prostate (gland in males surrounding the neck of the bladder).

Cardiovascular disease

Eating fish two to three times every week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering the formation of blood clots and inflammation, improving blood vessel elasticity, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood fats, and boosting ‘good’ cholesterol.

Depression

Pregnant women who regularly eat fish are thought to have lower incidences of depression.

Diabetes

Fish may help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels, thus pregnant women with gestational diabetes can benefit from eating fish at least once or twice a week.

Eyesight

Breastfed babies of mothers who eat fish have better eyesight, perhaps due to the Omega 3 fatty acids transmitted in breast milk.

Inflammatory conditions

Regular fish consumption may relieve the symptoms of:

• Autoimmune diseases, which are illnesses that occur when the body’s tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system.
• Rheumatoid arthritis,a chronic inflammation of the lining of the joints resulting in painful deformity and immobility.
• Psoriasis, a chronic recurrent skin disease resulting in red, itchy, silvery scale patches on flexor surfaces like knees and elbows. ‘Chronic’ means it can last for years, and patients may experience long periods of illness without any symptoms.

END: PG 2/12