Willner Spring Sale 2020

Page 51 The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Spring 2020 Since 1911 • Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals Why Are EPA & DHA Important? EPA & DHA OMEGA-3s: What Are They & Why Are They Essential? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Omega-3s are essential nutrients; we need them and our body cannot make them. The omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA provide the most effective health benefits. Everyone needs EPA and DHA, which provide health benefits at every stage of life. EPA & DHA Provide Health Benefits At Every Stage of Life They support healthy blood pressure levels, help keep our blood pumping from head to toe, and ease our response to stress. They improve our mood, help our brains function normally, and keep our central vision clearer as we age (DHA is a vital part of brain and eye tissue). They strengthen our immune and muscular systems; they help keep our knees, hips, and shoulder joints rotating and moving with ease. Infants require them for normal and healthy development; new mothers need them for their physical and mental health, and must replenish their supply after giving birth. Saturated fat (solid fat) is found in meat, dairy foods, and coconut oil. Monounsaturated fat (liquid at room temperature) is found in olive oil. Polyunsaturated fat (liquid oil) is found in fish, fish oils, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils. Omega-3 and omega-6 fats are polyunsaturated fats. Omega-3s Are Essential Nutrients Omega-3s are healthy fats , that is, fats that provide important nutrition and support good health. Because our bodies cannot make omega-3 fats, we need to consume them in our diet or from supplements. Most Americans do not consume enough omega-3s, yet research shows that we are healthier and live longer when we do [1-4] . Omega-3 fatty acids are not vitamins or minerals but they are essential nutrients. When we consume the nutrients (vitamins, minerals) that our bodies need, we feel better, we have more energy and better health. The same is true with omega-3s. The Omega-3 Fats EPA & DHA Provide Effective & Important Health Benefits There are different types of omega-3 fats. Flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts contain the ALA form of omega-3. ALA is a healthy fat but it does not provide the same health benefits as EPA and DHA omega-3. The omega-3s that work the best and provide the most health benefits are EPA and DHA, which are found naturally in fish and fish oils [1][5][6] . How much EPA and DHA do we need each day? This is determined by several factors. For example, consuming refined and processed foods increases our need for EPA and DHA omega-3. The table below provides minimum recommendations for general health. Your dietitian or healthcare provider may recommend higher amounts for you and your family. What Do They Do? Simply put, EPA and DHA omega-3s work in every cell of our bodies. In the cells, they direct, manage, and regulate critical processes. This is why they have so many proven benefits [1][3][8][10-15] . Omega-3s Are An Important Kind of Fat There are three types of fat in the foods we eat: Saturated and monounsaturated fats are not essential fats. Most Americans consume plenty of saturated, monounsaturated, and omega-6 fats, but most of us do not consume enough omega-3s. Minimum Daily Recommended Intake of EPA & DHA Combined [5][7][8] § For daily nutrition - Adults To support heart health and circulation To support healthy moods For daily nutrition - Teens For daily nutrition - Youth 250 - 500 mg per day 250 - 500 mg per day 250 - 500 mg per day 1,000 mg per day 1,000 mg per day *This amount can be consumed by eating fatty fish, such as wild salmon or sardines, two or more times a week. Experts recommend that adults and children consume two or more servings of fatty fish per week [1][9]. § The US National Academy of Medicine has not yet established a Dietary Recommend- ed Intake for EPA and DHA omega-3, but several national health organizations, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Heart Association have made recommendations. >> Continued on page 52