Omega 3s Research Paper

Omega-3s, the special polyunsaturated fats found in fish and some other foods, have been reeling in a lot of good press lately for their role in heart disease prevention. They're vital for brain development, too, and have recently been linked to better cognitive function in older people. Plus, they may help treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. It's no wonder, then, that food manufacturers are looking for ways to add these healthy fats to spreads, breads, eggs, yogurts, cereals, frozen waffles, mayonnaise, and granola bars. Kellogg's, for example, plans to enrich a number of its products by 2006. Some farmers, meanwhile, are manipulating animal feed to increase omega-3s in eggs, dairy, and meat products. Overseas, more foods are already fortified-milk, juices, soups, even low-fat liver pate.
Fish vs. flax …show more content…
There are two different sources of omega-3s-seafood and plants. Fatty fish, such as salmon and herring, are the best sources of two omega-3s-eicosapentenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexenoic acid (DHA). These fats help reduce blood clots (a cause of heart attacks), arrhythmias, inflammation (increasingly implicated in heart disease), and high blood pressure. They also help lower triglycerides (fats in the blood). That's why the American Heart Association recommends at least two servings of fish a week for general heart health, and higher levels for people who already have heart disease. Since September, 2004, foods containing EPA and DHA have been able to carry a qualified health claim linking their consumption to a reduced risk of heart