The typical American diet is abundant in fat, and this is a well-known fact at this point! According to USDA, 641 calories daily of added fat were “average daily calories” in 2008. With such a large amount it would be more than easy to assume the daily omega 3 requirements is reached within that.
However, it isn’t. Most of us are deficient in this nutrient with a wide range of negative health effects.
Here are 6 ways your health could be suffering due to an Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency:
1. Obesity
Omega-3 fats increase cell activity, meaning that they are of utmost importance for cell metabolism. Anyone whose diet is deficient in omega-3 fats is likely to have a slowed metabolism, which in turn leads to excess weight gain.
2. Heart disease
Up to 40 percent of deaths caused by heart disease are due to high LDL cholesterol levels. The good news is that adding omega-3 fats to your daily diet helps reduce them, which lowers the risk of sudden cardiac failure.
3. Eczema
Eczema is a type of rash which is often attributed to omega 3 deficiency. One study has found that this condition can be improved by up to 23 percent by supplementing omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Omega 3 supplementation helps by reducing inflammation.