Polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega 3, which are mostly found in oily fish and some fortified foods are essential to preventing cardiovascular disease, cancers, inflammatory diseases, lung and skin. They are also essential during pregnancy and lactation for the proper development of nerve function and, in general, many other functions.

Improve cardiovascular health
From the standpoint of cardiovascular health, omega 3 (EPA / DHA) improves the lipid profile, lower blood pressure, increase arterial vasodilation, are antithrombotic and prevent arrhythmias and sudden death.

In addition, consumption of Omega 3 lowers LDL ( “bad”) cholesterol, increases HDL ( “good”) and, above all, reducing triglyceridemia. As identified in the White Paper of Omega 3 in patients with hypertriglyceridemia has been shown that doses of 3 to 4 grams daily of omega 3 (EPA / DHA) will get a 45% reduction in triglyceride levels.

Improve lung function and reduce asthma
The findings of several studies in the book White Omega 3 determine how the intake of omega-3 plays a role in lung function of healthy people and in the aging of the lungs and in many inflammatory diseases lung, including asthma.

According to Professor Angel Gil, the intake of these fatty acids reduces the response of asthmatics to allergens and stimuli improves symptoms of children with bronchial asthma. Its consumption is associated with a reduction in the prevalence of asthma.

Reduce growth of cancer cells
Disease prevalence in our country such as cancer, where one in four deaths is caused by this disease, can make use of omega-3 to help prevent them. Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids help prevent breast cancer, prostate and colon, as reflected in “anti-cancer effects of omega-3″, conducted by Dr. Francisco G. Muriana, Research Associate of the Institute de la Grasa (CSIC) in Seville.

The book explains how omega-3 fatty acids reduce the growth of cancer cells and recover the immune system of people with cancer. In addition, these fats are able to decrease the mobility of the cells thus preventing the invasion and metastasis of the disease.

Essential in the development of the newborn
Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 play important roles in pregnancy, lactation and children, since they are constituents of the phospholipids of cell membranes and are part of the neural structures.

The needs of these fatty acids increase during these periods, since they are stages of growth and development of cellular tissue. Consequently, requirements for essential fatty acid for pregnant women and fetus, as well as infants, are very high.

Specifically, Dr. Gil recommends a significant consumption of omega-3 in pregnant women, “since the fetus captures between 50 and 60 mg / day of such acids in the third quarter.” As described in the book of Omega 3 Institute during the last quarter, resulting in the accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in fetal tissues, especially in the central nervous system, which continues in the postnatal period.

Thus, omega-3 should represent in this period of time up to 2% of the total energy of the diet, twice that in normal women.

Mental development in preterm infants
Other studies show the positive effect of feeding formula supplemented with omega-3 on mental development. Premature infants fed a formula containing omega-3 had a better Bayley Development Index, related to language ability.

“There are studies which show that a diet with omega-3 in the first months of life improves troubleshooting and normal term infants with delayed growth,” explains Professor Gil.

“Has also been reported that the highest degree of mental and psychomotor development of infants underweight at 19 months of age correlates with early intake of omega-3,” he adds.