The Magic of Omega 3

At Saltwater Poke we are basically in the business of selling superfood! Seriously, our bowls are made of a combination of many of the worlds healthiest food. In fact, there is probably not a healthier place to eat in anywhere in the world, let alone in Bakersfield.  Best of all, the food tastes as incredible as it is healthy!

But we aren't just going to say our food Is healthy, we are going to teach you why Its so healthy! 

It's pretty common knowledge that fatty fish is good for you. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week. This is due in large part to the naturally occurring Omega 3 fatty acids that fatty fish (and shrimp, crab, and scalops) contain. And while most people know that they should be getting more omega 3 in their diet, very few people understand just how important it is to their health and vitality!

Omega 3’s play a very important roll in everything from aiding in fat loss to reducing your risk of cardio vascular disease. From ensuring proper neurological development and cognitive function to improving joint health and mobility. The list of health benefits is truly massive!

What exactly is Omega 3?

Omega 3 fatty acids, along with Omega 6 fatty acids, are a class of essential fatty acids. That just means that they are considered essential as the body can not synthesize them and they must be obtained through diet. In the typical western diet, omega 6 fatty acids are consumed in abundance through grains and plant based oils, especially in processed and packaged foods. Omega 3 fatty acids, found primarily in cold water fish, however, are not as commonly consumed. Now, you may be thinking "can't I just get my omega 3s from flax seeds?" The answer is, "not really" Lets look at why.

Why Fish and not Flax?

There are three types of Omega 3 fatty acids: ALA (alpha-linoleic-acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic-acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic-acid).

It is important to distinguish between the three types of Omega 3, as EPA and DHA are found only in animal sources, while ALA is found abundantly in plant sources. While all three types of Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to provide positive benefits, a large amount of research supporting the positive health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids are specifically referencing EPA and or DHA. 

It should also be noted that the body can actually synthesize DHA and EPA from ALA, however it does so very inefficiently, so the only way to truly get an optimal amount of EPA or DHA in your diet is through consumption of cold water fish or through supplementation.

What are the benefits of DHA and EPA Omega 3?

• EPA Omega 3 is is a powerful anti inflammatory! It accomplishes this through reducing the bodies production of D5D, the enzyme responsible for stimulating the production of Arachadonic Acid, a precursor that is necessary for the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. In short, the more EPA in your diet, the lower your AA levels and the lower the inflammation.  

 

• EPA has been shown to be especially effective in treating the symptoms of depression! So effective, in fact, that one study found to be as effective as a leading anti-depressant drug.

 

• DHA can improve ocular health and protect your vision! DHA is a major structural component of the retina of the eye. Inadequate DHA consumption can lead to various vision problems including macular degeneration, one of the worlds leading causes of vision loss.

 

• EPA and DHA can lower your risk of heart disease, the worlds leading cause of death.  Decades ago researchers noticed that society with high fish consumption also had a very low incidence of heart disease. The increased consumption of EPA and DHA has been shown to increase cardiovascular health in a plethora of ways. 

 

1. 1. Reduce triglycerides up to 30%. [4] 
   2. Help prevent plaque build up on arterial walls. [5]
   3. Increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels. [6] 
   4. Prevent blood clots by keeping platelets from clumping together. [7]
   5. Naturally reduces blood pressure in people with high BP. [8]

 

• EPA and DHA are good for your skin! DHA plays an integral role in the health of cell membranes which make up a large part of your skin. Healthy cell membranes lead to healthy, soft and youthful looking skin with optimal elasticity.  EPA also protects the skin from damage due to overexposure of sunlight. [9][10]

 

• EPA and DHA improve sleep quality! Low levels of DHA lead to low levels of the hormone melatonin which helps regulate sleep. [10] Studies have demonstrated a positive effect between fatty fish consumption and sleep quality and duration. [11]

 

• EPA and DHA boost your metabolism! Fish oil has been shown in multiple studies to increase basal metabolic rate between 3.8% to 14%.  3.8% may not seem like much, but over time this can be a very significant effect. In addition, not only did fish oil increase metabolic rate, but it also improved body composition. In other words fish oil increased lean muscle mass while reducing fat mass. [12][13][14]

So, if you want:

• More muscle
• less fat
• a healthier heart
•  better skin
• improved sleep
• better vision
• healthier aging
• less inflammation

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Then you need to make sure to eat fatty fish at least twice a week! Of course, you can enjoy a cool, refreshing poke bowl more than twice a week. There is no better (or healthier)  way to beat the heat than joining us for Salt Water Poke!
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