Working toward a fit and healthy body is something we all want to do. This, of course, includes a healthy diet. A healthy diet consists of a good distribution between proteins, carbohydrates and fats. In this article we discuss some of the benefits of Omega 3 and how it can help with your sports performance. Read along?
Omega 3 and sports
As an athlete, you undoubtedly pay the necessary attention to your nutrition. In order to have sufficient energy, maintain your concentration and stamina, support your heart and maintain the condition of muscles, joints and bones. Taking enough Omega-3 fatty acids will support you in this endeavor.
There are 3 types of Omega-3 fatty acids
- Alpha-linolenic acid, ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid)
- Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid)
- Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)
ALA is found in vegetable oils, especially flaxseed oil. Furthermore, ALA is found to a lesser extent in meat and green leafy vegetables. EPA and DHA are found mainly in fish, seafood and algae. Examples of oily fish containing omega 3 are salmon, sardine, herring, mackerel, tuna, trout and eel.
Less muscle pain and better recovery
Recovering quickly and, if possible, with as little muscle pain as possible is what every athlete wants. The faster you recover, the faster you can get going again. Omega 3 appears to play an important role in this. Some studies claim that omega 3 fatty acids can reduce muscle soreness and that it has a positive effect on your recovery. Whether you are an elite athlete or a recreational athlete, either way you would benefit from a pure, highly concentrated omega 3 supplement.
Omega 3 is also said by some studies to improve strength training by stimulating blood flow to the muscles, resulting in less muscle breakdown or acidification. Omega 3 is also said to contribute to the faster recovery of your muscles and works against inflammation. How nice is that!
However, these health claims are not (yet) officially accepted and approved. Further research will be needed to prove this definitively.
Omega 3 stimulates fat loss
Yep, you read it right. Omega 3 seems to promote body fat loss, according to some studies. Namely, it would activate the so-called fat burning genes. This allows your body to tap into your fat reserves. Omega 3 is also said to help increase your metabolism. And this plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight and losing weight. Omega 3 also additionally prevents excess fat from being stored in your cells. Look at the bottom of the article for the source of the various studies that have shown this.
Unfortunately, again, further research is needed to definitively prove whether this can be solidified as a health claim.
Other health benefits
Fish oil has other health benefits for athletes and non-athletes alike. The main benefits of Omega 3 are:
- EPA stimulates blood flow to the brain
- Contributes to healthy heart and blood vessels
- Promotes eye health
- Promotes brain health and development
Also check out the following article for a more detailed explanation: What is omega 3 good for?
Ekopura's Omega-3 products
Obviously, omega-3 is very important for your health and well-being! That's why at Ekopura we offer pure nature omega 3 supplements with a high concentration of omega 3. Like all of our products, these are produced with respect for humans animals and nature.
There are many abuses in the conventional Omega 3 industry and we want to make a positive change here. A quarter of the global fish catch is used for Omega 3 and causes our oceans to be overfished. In addition, people often work under deplorable conditions.
For our Omega 3, no oceans are fished and the production takes place in Europe. View our vegan omega 3 products.
Sources:
Tartibian B, Maleki BH, Abbasi A. The effects of ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids on perceived pain and external symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness in untrained men. Clin J Sport Med 2009; 19(2):115-9
Couet C, Delarue J, Ritz P, Antoine JM, Lamisse F. Effect of dietary fish oil on body fat mass and basal fat oxidation in healthy adults. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1997 Aug; 21(8):637-43 Hill A., Buckley J., Murphy K., Howe P. Combining fish oil supplementation with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular risk factors. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2007;85:1267-1274.
