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Omega-3 fatty acids, or n-3 fatty acids, provide many benefits for the body. They are chemical compounds that are naturally found in many fats and oils. They are also known as essential fatty acids as they are required for normal growth.

The positive effects of Omega 3 oils include: including reducing the risk of thrombotic stroke and heart disease, reducing cholesterol, improving immune system activity, and stimulating blood circulation as well as reducing blood pressure. Omega 3 oils are also connected to positive effects in schizophrenia treatment and has been considered "brain food" for many year.

Sources of omega 3 oils include eggs and walnuts, but their most well-known source is fish. Fish oil, specifically that coming from cold-water oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, anchovies, salmon, and herring, as well as tuna to a lesser degree, is a prime source of omega-3 oils, containing up to seven times as much omega-3 as other types of fish.

While the health benefits of consuming omega 3 oils through fish are well documented, the Food and Drug Administration has recently shown concern about heavy metal poisoning in oily fish used to produce omega-3 oils. Arsenic, lead, nickel, mercury, and cadmium are all dangerous heavy metals that may accumulate in cold-water fish. That's why your source of fish or omega 3 oils is vitally important.

Omega-3 fish oils can provide amazing health benefits such as providing migraine relief. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been known to reduce blood pressure and increase circulation. The vascular theory of migraine headaches shows that the pain of headaches is caused by the flow of blood to the brain being limited which causes the blood vessels to dilate producing swelling. By taking omega-3 oils the blood flow is drastically enhanced which reduces the chance of headaches.

The heart benefits by taking omega-3 oils, which increases the circulation in your body. If you take omega-3 oils on a regular basis, you can lower the risk of heart attack by reducing blood triglyceride levels in your body. A compound know as fibrin is broken down by omega-3 oils. This is important because this reduces the risk of clotting that may lead to a stroke or infarction.