You might think you know everything there is to know about nutrients. You may feel as if you eat well and you are focused on taking in a variety of nutrients. You may feel as if there isn’t much more you could do to improve upon your overall healthy eating plan. What you may not realize, however, is that you very well could be deficient in a key nutrient without even knowing it.
Many people assume that you can avoid nutritional deficiencies by eating a healthy diet. It makes sense but you may wrongfully assume that you’re all set. In many cases, people don’t even turn to supplements if they are eating a healthy diet. Though you may be eating a good diet rich in vitamins and minerals, you may not be getting enough of what you need. This is particularly true when it comes to one nutrient in particular: Omega 3 fatty acids.
How Can We Be Lacking in Something We Hear About All the Time?
It’s hard to believe you may not be getting enough of this nutrient because you hear about it all the time. The problem for some of us is that we assume because we’re eating healthy foods, that’s enough. Though whole foods are important, oftentimes their nutrients aren’t plentiful enough. It may be that you aren’t eating enough of the right foods, either. Some of us are so scared of the concept of fats in general that we tend to shy away from even the good types.
There are so many reasons why we may not be getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids. Yes, it’s in the news all the time and is promoted by nutritionists and health experts. There is, however, a segment of the population that doesn’t keep up with the current health trends. Not only that, but some of us follow very restrictive diets and skip over some of the most important nutrients such as omega-3s. Whatever your reasoning, you want to be sure that this is a main focus in your diet and increase your intake if you are in fact lacking.
How Do You Know if You’re Deficient?
This is considered to be more of a proactive nutrient in nature. You may not be tested for a deficiency in Omega 3 fatty acids specifically. The problem is, though, that it can do so much to boost your health and help to take care of you, that you don’t want to find out that you are lacking later on. Recognize now why you might be lacking in Omega 3 fatty acids.
Pinpointing the actual reason may actually highlight more about your overall picture of nutrition. Then change things up and be sure to add in foods that are rich in this nutrient. Your health will benefit now, and this nutrient will help you for years to come as well. First though, let’s focus on just why you may be deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids like so many other people are.
We’ve Been Conditioned to Stay Away from All Fats
Here is one of the most noteworthy reasons you are likely not getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids. Admittedly, this is a more indirect reason, but it all makes sense when you look at it together. For years you have been told that all fats are bad. You have been conditioned to believe that eating fats makes you fat. You have been given so much information about the problem that fats cause for your heart and your waistline, and how damaging they can be to your overall health.
The problem is, of course, that this argument is really not geared towards the “good fats” that you find within Omega 3 fatty acids. Not all fats are created equal, and when you are told to stay away from fats it doesn’t mean everything.
Sure, there are plenty of bad fats you should stay away from such as trans fats and saturated fats but think about this – bad fats are found in things like fried foods, junk food, processed food, baked goods, treats, candy, chips, and things of that nature. This is of course not what we mean when we focus on good fats! The good fats, that is to say the ones that contain Omega 3 fatty acids, are what you DO need in your diet.
If you find that you’re not getting enough Omega 3 fatty acids, it may be because you are thinking about fats in the wrong way. Good fats are found in healthy and nutritious foods such as avocado, salmon, tuna, olive oil, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, almonds and walnuts. Try eating more of these and turning to a supplement to get your good fats in, and get rid of the bad fats once and for all.
We Think We Don’t Need This Until We’re Older
Perhaps you have been told that you need Omega 3 fatty acids as part of a good health regimen. Maybe you are one of the lucky few who knows and recognize the power of this one nutrient. The question is, are you doing anything about it? Are you using a supplement and eating foods rich in this nutrient? Or are you instead putting it off for some day? Do you wrongfully believe that this is the type of supplement that you don’t need until later on in life?
This is one of the biggest problems with nutrients in general, but particularly this one. People recognize the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, and they know that it’s good for them but they think it’s something that matters much more as you age. They assume that it’s not necessary to focus on in the here and now. So though you might make one simple switch such as cooking with olive oil, that may be where your true commitment ends.
It matters now and when you recognize that so many of us are low in Omega 3 fatty acids, then you can see the necessity. You don’t want to wait for some day or take it when you really need it. You want to get to a point where you take it proactively. That means that you start adding foods that are rich in this nutrient into your diet now. It also means that you turn to a supplement to fill in the blanks now. You don’t want to wait until you are older and you have high cholesterol. You don’t want to wait until you are at risk for heart disease or other serious health problems.
This is particularly important if you happen to be somebody who has a family history of any of these issues. Omega 3 fatty acids can help to lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease, and offer health benefits. It works well when you use it proactively and that means that you want to start making this nutrient a priority now. You may be able to minimize your risk or prevent the health problems from ever occurring. It really is that simple and understanding this can help you to ensure that you take in appropriate levels now and into the future as well.
We May Think That Other Vitamins and Minerals Are Far More Important
You probably already know about certain vitamins and minerals. You recognize the importance of key nutrients and you may even eat foods that are rich in them. You know certain things for sure such as Vitamin C can help to ease a cold. You may know that Vitamin D can help with depression, and that Vitamin E can help with skin issues. There are some fundamental things that we know where nutrients are concerned. When you know that something is good for you, then you may tend to make it more of a priority.
You have likely heard plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids, but you might think that other things are more important. Sure you can add some avocado to your diet. Yes, it may be wise to take a vitamin that includes Omega 3 fatty acids. The problem is that we never really make this nutrient a true priority. We never really consider that this one nutrient has a place alongside things like Vitamin C and calcium. Though other nutrients are undoubtedly important, so too is this one that so many of us are lacking in.
If you want to ensure you get proper levels of omega-3 fatty acids, change the way you look at it. View this one nutrient as something that can help you with your health now and work towards prevention later on. Add it to your daily routine of supplements, and also includes the foods that are rich in it. Start making good fats a priority and understand that this is a powerful nutrient that can help you in many different ways. Just changing the way you view it or making it a priority can help you to stay on track and start getting more of what you need here.
Eat More Foods Rich in Omega-3s
When you think of good fats you might have one particular food that you eat some of. You might be a fan of avocados or you may enjoy tuna. It’s great if you eat a food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, but you need to make it a regular fixture in your diet. You should aim to eat good fats with every meal, and that means that you likely need more of it. If you aren’t utilizing most of the foods within this category, then you are definitely cutting yourself short.
A big reason why people are deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids is that they don’t take in enough of it. You need plenty of it, and that means that your diet should be rich in it. Yes you need a supplement to get you to the right amount, but it all starts with your diet. Bump it up and make it a priority just like lean protein, whole grains, or fruits and veggies. You need this good fat and it’s imperative that you eat plenty of foods that are rich in it. Add something with Omega 3 fatty acids to every meal and you will really start to see a difference.
Summary: What Should You Do Now?
You have likely heard about Omega 3 fatty acids and you may even recognize their importance. The problem is when you don’t make this nutrient a priority and you therefore neglect them in your diet. You can always use a supplement to help you to get enough of this important nutrient each day. You also want to be sure that you are eating a diet that is rich in these good fats.
Consider this another category in your diet and add it to the essentials such as lean protein, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. The more that you make it a priority and help to fulfill your quota, the more that you can protect your health now and into the future as well.
Action Steps: Tips for Ensuring You Get Enough Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Understand the true health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids
- Find foods that you enjoy which are considered to be “good fats”
- Start taking an Omega 3 fatty acid supplement
- Make this nutrient a true priority and ensure that you get in enough of it each day
- Continue to use it and change up your dosage as you age and try to prevent certain health problems
Though you may very well know that you need to eat a balanced diet, you may not necessarily include all the right nutrients. It’s great to focus on key vitamins and minerals, but you want to be certain that Omega 3 fatty acids are also a priority. There are great foods to enjoy that feature these good fats.
There are plenty of good supplements out there which are pure and offer you everything you need. Change the way that you look at Omega 3 fatty acids, and then start including them. Once you realize all that you can get out of them, then you can ensure that you are never deficient in this nutrient again.
