Omega-3 fatty acids are “healthy fats” that may support your heart health. One key benefit is helping to lower your triglycerides. Specific types of omega-3s include DHA and EPA (found in seafood) and ALA (found in plants). Some foods that can help you add omega-3s to your diet include fatty fish (like salmon and mackerel), flaxseed and chia seeds.
What are omega-3 fatty acids explained in simple terms?
Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s) are polyunsaturated fats that perform important functions in your body. Your body can’t produce the amount of omega-3s you need to survive. So, omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients, meaning you need to get them from the foods you eat.
What are fatty acids?
The two main types of fatty acids are saturated fat and unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat further breaks down into polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat. These are terms you commonly see on nutrition labels.
Fatty acids are chain-like chemical molecules made up of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Carbon atoms form the backbone of the chain, with oxygen and hydrogen atoms latching on to available slots.
A saturated fat has no more open slots. A monounsaturated fat has one open slot. A polyunsaturated fat has more than one open slot.
Saturated fats are sometimes known as “bad” or “unhealthy” fats because they increase your risk of certain diseases like heart disease and stroke. Unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) are considered “good” or “healthy” fats because they support your heart health when used in moderation.
Omega-3s, as a form of polyunsaturated fat, are healthier alternatives to saturated fat in your diet.