Omega-3s. That’s some type of fraternal order, right?
Wrong. These polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs for short—but also known as “healthy fats”) are essential to your diet, and here’s why.
See, you can kind think of omega-3s as your superhero of the world of good fats. Research finds that they may help prevent the onset of heart disease, ward off macular degeneration, improve cognitive function, and reduce the risk of diabetes and certain types of cancer. Plus, they’re anti-aging (goodbye wrinkles!), anti-inflammatory and can aid healthy digestion and boost mood. Not too shabby, huh?
Two types of omega-3s, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are derived from cold-water fatty fish, while alpha linoleic acid (ALA) is found in vegetarian sources that then need to be converted to DHA and EPA in your body. The bottom line is, you should be consuming at least 500 milligrams of EPA and DHA—but don’t worry yourself with the details. These five foods will help you get your fill.
