Essential Nutrient Tackles Inflammatory and Metabolic Health Issues
Switching gears, let's talk about my favorite desert island game – the one that explores your survival essentials when stranded. From food to books and beyond, it sheds light on the people in your life. Other day, I wondered about supplements, given I take several. If I could only choose one, my desert island pick would be omega-3s.
Here's why: They're packed with science-backed benefits, fighting inflammation, metabolic disorders, obesity, heart disease, blood sugar imbalances, liver and kidney issues, and even autoimmune diseases.
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InflammationDoctors now consider inflammation the cause of many health issues. Luckily, omega-3s step up to the plate, resolving inflammation directly while competing with omega-6s (found in refined oils) to inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory agents.
ObesityObesity is primarily an inflammatory condition, but omega-3s come to the rescue with their powerful anti-inflammatory effects on fat tissue. They help lower fat mass accumulation, making it easier to keep weight at bay.
Heart HealthOmega-3s reduce inflammatory markers, lower triglycerides, and considerably lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 15-25%.
Blood SugarOmega-3s improve insulin sensitivity, increase adiponectin secretion, enhance glucose uptake, and bolster pancreatic β-cell function, making them a potent ally in managing blood sugar issues.
Liver HealthOmega-3s help protect the liver by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, reducing liver inflammation; reducing neutrophil infiltration and enhancing the clearance of apoptotic cells; blocking NLRP3 inflammasome activation; and inducing mitophagy of damaged liver mitochondria, reducing oxidative stress.
Kidney HealthChronic kidney disease is another downstream effect of obesity-mediated inflammation. Omega-3s increase the production of pro-resolving mediators, leading to improved inflammatory markers and renal function. They also help improve renal hemodynamics and significantly reduce proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease.
AutoimmunityInflammatory bowel diseases: Omega-3s reduce inflammation, colonic mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, and macrophage infiltration of tissue.Psoriasis: Omega-3s decrease inflammatory cell infiltration and skin thickening, resulting in improvements in redness, scaling, and itching.*Rheumatic diseases: Omega-3s inhibit IL-1β, a cytokine linked to cartilage destruction and loss of collagen.Multiple sclerosis:* Omega-3s directly impair neuroinflammatory processes, decreasing the activity and production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Research suggests that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone can reduce autoimmune disease rates by 15%. So whether you're marooned on a desert island or determined to stay fit and healthy, omega-3s are essential additions to your daily routine.
To ensure you meet the recommended intake, adopting the Mediterranean diet – rich in polyphenol-rich fruits and veggies, olive oil, and seafood – can provide you with those crucial omega-3s. However, if you can't get the two to three servings of fatty fish weekly, consider investing in a safe, sustainably-sourced omega-3 supplement.
- Given the science-backed benefits of omega-3s, they would be an essential supplement on a desert island, as they help combat inflammation, heart disease, obesity, blood sugar imbalances, liver and kidney issues, and even autoimmune diseases.
- Inflammation, a cause of many health issues, is mitigated by omega-3s, which resolve inflammation directly while inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory agents.
- In the realm of heart health, omega-3s reduce inflammatory markers, lower triglycerides, and significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- With regards to blood sugar management, omega-3s improve insulin sensitivity, increase adiponectin secretion, enhance glucose uptake, and bolster pancreatic β-cell function.
- In the context of autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis, rheumatic diseases, and multiple sclerosis, omega-3s play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and preventing neuroinflammatory processes.