by Barry Girolamo

Created on: July 19, 2011

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids which are found in certain foods. These fatty acids may help to protect both your physical and mental well being, but unfortunately, most Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids.

People who are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids are more likely to develop heart disease, mental health problems, and cancers. The risks of developing disorders such as depression, autism, rheumatoid arthritis, and ADHD can be reduced by ensuring that you are getting enough of these fatty acids in your diet.

One of the major sources of omega-3 fatty acids are oily fish that live in cold waters, such as mackerel, sardines, bluefish, some tunas, and salmon. Some of these fish could possibly contain unhealthy levels of mercury, and should be avoided. Albacore tuna and bluefish are the most likely culprits to be carrying high levels of mercury, and you may want to find other sources for your daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

Flax seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, and they can be purchased at most health food stores. These seeds can be ground up with a small coffee grinder and sprinkled on foods like a seasoning, such as oatmeal. They offer a pleasant nutty taste, and are great for those that don’t enjoy fish, or for people that want to avoid the risk of ingesting high levels of mercury.

Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are canola oil, fortified eggs, and hemp seeds. If you’re eating two or three servings of fish each week, and you are also eating other sources of these fatty acids like walnuts, than you are probably receiving an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids.

You may also want to consider taking a fish oil supplement. You just want to be careful that you are taking a high quality supplement that has been properly processed and preserved from going rancid.

One way to do this is to take a pharmaceutical grade fish oil such as Lovaza, which can only be purchased from your pharmacist with a doctor’s prescription. This is probably the best way to ensure that you are receiving adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids that are not contaminated or tainted.

Fish oil supplements have been used to treat children who show symptoms of ADHD, but there are no standardized dosages, so you should be sure to consult with your pediatrician before you start giving your child fish oil capsule supplements.

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