There are many ways to lose weight and some of us seem to have tried them all. There are fad diets that have you eating only protein, only carbs, or only one type of food in general (not to mention those that have you drinking nothing but tea for ten days). Then there’s all those crazy exercise routines that promise to get you ripped and help you shed pounds through intensive daily workouts. There are even a wide variety of diet supplements that can help you shed pounds, although who knows how safely (remember the ma huang derivative, ephedra, that caused nearly three dozen deaths before it was banned from the market?). In short, people will try just about anything to lose weight. The problem is that by choosing these methods, you’re really only setting yourself up for failure. Nobody can sustain the rapid weight loss these programs provide, and the minute you stop, you’re going to gain it all back (and probably more). You need a diet for life; and omega 3 should be part of it.
I know what you’re thinking: isn’t omega 3 a fat? The answer is yes, it is a fatty acid that is found in food items such as fish, olive oil, walnuts, flaxseed, and some fruits and vegetables (spinach, broccoli, and cantaloupe, just to name a few). And while any healthy diet will likely require you to cut down on fats, you should know that cutting them out of your diet completely is not only practically impossible, it’s a terrible idea. Our bodies need some fat to ensure healthy cell function, insulate organs, and keep our skin and hair healthy and hydrated (amongst other things). They can also serve as a source of energy. The trick is to include the right types of fat in your diet and omega 3 definitely falls into that category. It is an essential fatty acid that your body needs to function (but cannot produce on its own).
But what exactly can omega 3 do for you to increase health and promote weight loss? In truth, omega 3 is extremely beneficial to your body. It has been shown to boost immune function and prevent the risk for a wide variety of diseases and disorders, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, and even depression. And if that isn’t enough, it also aids in weight loss. According to studies done by the University of South Australia, this is thought to be related to the activation of enzymes that burn fat, as well as the ability to increase metabolism, both of which (in concert with exercise) can help you to shed unwanted pounds. In short, eating the right types of fat can help you to burn off fat calories (and keep them of).
It may sound counterintuitive to say that eating fats can help you to burn them, but in this case it’s true. So when you begin your weight loss journey and you’re looking to form healthy eating habits for life, make sure to include omega 3 as part of your diet. When consumed in moderation, it can not only help you to lose weight; it can also keep your body functioning properly and reduce your risk of illness.