5 Health Risks Of Poor Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake You Should Be Aware Of

First I thought I have misunderstood it when my doctor advised me to take the fat. Me along with countless fellow beings were under the assumption that all fats are bad for your health. Well, we are wrong. Omega-3 fatty acids should definitely be a part of the diet. These are nothing but polyunsaturated acids and they are crucial for the overall well being. They are extremely important for brain development and it is a mandatory need as far as your kids are considered. These fats cannot be produced by your body and hence you have to depend on external foods to get this nutrient. Best suggestion- Try getting them from foods rather than supplements. Fish and Mackerel are excellent sources of the fatty acids. You can also get them in adequate quantities from walnuts and flaxseeds. Lack of Omega-3 fatty acids can lead to a number of ailments and most of them respond to how your body responds to an ailment. Let us have a look at few of the warning signs your body sends out when the omega-3 fatty acid levels are low or negligible.

Health Risks Of Poor Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake You Should Be Aware Of:

1. Joint Pain

One of the biggest indications of less omega 3 acids levels your body is the constant numbing sensation in your joints – especially the knees. Omega 3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can be greatly beneficial in the proper functioning of cartilages and bones. Inadequate quantities of them in your body can lead to joint tenderness and stiffness in the joints. This is especially visible in elderly people and lack of omega 3 fatty acids can develop into arthritic pain as the wear and tear of the bone occur. Look out for the numbing pain in your joints. If the indications persist for a longer period, you are running the risk of low Omega 3 fatty acid levels. Take the supplements as per your doctor’s advice.

2. Vision Problems

Poor vision is also one of the indications of low levels of the fatty acid. Your eyes are in a way an extract of the muscle that protrudes out and omega 3 acids are required to maintain these muscles robust. Also, they aid in decreasing the pressure of the eyes and reduce the chances of glaucoma. Lack of such acids can lead to fluid buildup and these can make your vision appear foggy and inattentive. In older people lack of these fatty acids can also lead to the formation of cataract. Look out for any changes to the vision and if you have any difficulty or if you notice any changes, do seek an ophthalmologist immediately. Chances are you might be suffering from low omega-3 fatty acids.

3. Weakened Immunity

Low immunity can be attributed to a variety of facts. The biggest among them would be the lack of necessary vitamins to absorb. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed by the body to absorb these vitamins so that they build up in your system. Lack of these fatty acids could lead to a poor vitamin absorption -leading you to fall ill often.  Also, these fatty acids are beneficial in the fight against autoimmune diseases and other infectious ailments. Just check if you are falling ill frequently or if you are getting more prone to common cold, skin allergies and body pain. Chances are you might be having low counts of omega3 fatty acids in your system.

4. Weight Gain

This is not exactly a common symptom, but if you are sensing that your weight is gaining rapidly in spite of the activities and the work outs you go through, then the chances are you might be experiencing poor absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. In a way, these acids, reduce the carb levels you intake. As a result of this, your body is forced to look at the fat reserves for getting the energy. It also burns up more calories in a much quicker and efficient way. Lack of these essential acids can reduce the embolic levels and as a result excess fat gets stored in your body. These lead to unnecessary weight gain. The next time, if you feel that you are getting over weight for no particular reason, do check your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Dry and Cracked Skin

In its raw format, Omega-3 fatty acids are represented as a shiny, thick variety of oil mass high in lipid. Lipids are much needed in your body to make your skin moist and to retain the water content in your skin. Lack of lipids or lack of such fatty acids can make your skin dry and prone to breakage. Also, the natural mechanism by which the sweat releases from your pores get hampered due to the lack of omega-3 fatty acids. As a result, your dead skin cells and other contaminants cling to the skin making them dull and weak. The same dull cracked skin can appear in your face too. Try taking an omega-3 supplement or capsules after consulting with your doctor.