Omega 3 Fish Oil for Weight Loss

Fatty acids that help you lose weight; now that is a new concept. Usually when someone is trying to lose weight the first thing they do is cut out fats. It only makes sense that eating fatty acids would increase your weight not decrease it. It seems that some fatty acids are different than the others, and affect your body differently.

Monounsaturated Fats

There are three kinds of fats people consume: Unsaturated or good fats, saturated and trans fats/ bad fats. The good fats come in two types polyunsaturated fats, which include omega 3 and omega 6, and monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are found in vegetable oils like peanut oil and olive oil and also hazelnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, pistachios, and macadamia nuts. Chicken fat is even a monounsaturated fat. These fats can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, reduce triglycerides, and help control diabetes.

Polyunsaturated Fats

Polyunsaturated fats, your omega 3’s and omega 6’s, can help in the reduction of inflammation and tumor growth, improve immune functions, and help reduce triglycerides. Foods that are high in omega 3 are: flaxseed, hemp seeds, fish such as trout, mackerel, salmon, herring and sardines. Walnuts also have omega 3. You can find omega 6 in foods like sunflower oil, sesame oil, and safflower oil. Most nuts and beans supply omega 6, as do grains. The average diet is already rich in omega 6.

Omega 3 for Weight loss

Omega 3 helps improve your kidney function. In doing that it reduces water retention and flushes your system of toxins. This allows easier weight loss. Omega 3 stabilizes the blood sugar levels in your system. This reduces the amount of insulin in your blood. With less insulin your body can convert fat into energy. This in turn makes your body burn more fat. Omega 3 gives you more energy by the effects it has on the thyroid. It improves serotonin levels which can improve your mood and also give you the extra energy you need.

Studies on Omega 3

There have been several studies done on the use of omega 3 for weight loss. Most studies have been on mice and the results were positive toward weight loss. In Australia a study was done on humans. The participants were from all age groups (25-65). The people who received omega 3 supplements lost more weight than their counterparts. Both groups exercised the same yet the ones who received the omega 3 supplement actually lost more weight.

Risks of Omega 3

Omega 3 supplements are known to prolong bleeding time. People taking blood thinners or those who have blood disorders should use extreme caution when taking this supplement. It is possible for omega 3 or fish oil supplements to interact with some medication. If you are on any medication, you should first check with your doctor about adding omega 3 to the mix.