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To further promote our mission “ to make more and more people live and feel better” we have launched a new blog post series, Health and Wellness for All, with the goal of educating, inspiring, and motivating our readers to live a healthier lifestyle.
In the No. 1 issue of Health & Wellness For All, Stavros Kokkinos, Responsible Pharmacist at G. Nicolaou Pharmacy analyzes the beneficial health properties and effects of omega 3 for our health.
The role of Omega-3
These are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are considered essential, as they cannot be synthesised by the body and must therefore be obtained from the diet.
The different types of Omega-3
There are three main types of Omega-3 fatty acids: alpha linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ALA is found in plant foods such as nuts and seeds, like walnuts and flaxseeds. DHA and EPA are mainly found in oily fish (mackerel, salmon, sardine) and seafood (shrimp, oyster).
The beneficial health properties of omega- 3
EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision and brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to lower triglycerides and promote good blood circulation by inhibiting platelet aggregation by lipoxygenase products. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, Omega-3s play a key role in regulation of inflammatory processes, as they resolve inflammation by regulating the expression of genes involved and, therefore, protect against oxidative stress. Lastly, maternal DHA intake during pregnancy contributes to normal brain and eye development of the fetus and breastfed infant.
Stavros Kokkinos
Responsible Pharmacist at G. Nicolaou Pharmacy