
Before we get into the benefits of this fabulous nutrient, let’s have a look at what it actually is…
Omega 3 – we see it all over our skincare packaging and it’s squeezed into our supplements, but what actually is it? A general consensus on a group chat with my girlfriends told me what we already know: it’s oily, it’s good for our skin, and we think it comes from fish.
In other words, we don’t know very much.
What I do know is that skincare advocates everywhere constantly promote the importance of incorporating Omega 3 into our moisturizers, our diet, and our hair products. It’s a coveted supplement that is referenced to by our hairdressers as the holy grail of moisture, and the secret to looking utterly wonderful at all times. Sounds pretty good, right?
But before we get into the benefits of this fabulous nutrient, let’s have a look at what it actually is.
Omega-3s are the fatty acids that we find in fish, nuts and seeds. They contain essential nutrients that we need to regulate the skin’s oil production, balance our hydration, calm breakouts and resist signs of aging.
Need further persuasion? They are an integral part of cell membranes throughout our body and they affect the function of our cell receptors, allowing us to move and react with ease.
Thanks to the nourishing effect of Omega-3s on our skin, they are a must-have supplement for anyone who suffers from dryness, eczema or dermatitis. They also offer a lot of nutrients for our hair and nails, and they are the secret behind almost every luxury conditioner on the market. On a less superficial scope, Omega-3 is also essential for maintaining healthy heart and brain activity. Plus, research has proven that fish oil can also boost the skin’s immunity to UV damage and skin cancer. So yes, it’s pretty important!
Our automatic assumption when we think of Omega-3 is that it is only found in fish. Sure, Omega-3 occurs naturally in fish oil and other seafood, and they are great sources of this magic nutrient, but it’s not the only way to incorporate Omega-3 into your diet. If you don’t eat fish, or prefer a plant-based diet, you can opt for flax seeds, chia seeds, soybean oil and walnuts as another healthy alternative. The only difference is that fish contains Omega-3s that are readily absorbed upon consumption, while plant forms of it need to be converted first in the body before they can be absorbed.
There is no concrete recommendation on how much Omega-3 you need in your diet. However, health professionals recommend that adults get about 500 mg a day, which works out to be about two servings of a fatty fish per week, or about 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds per day. These quantities will help you to feel great within yourself, as well as achieving radiant skin. If you think you’ll struggle to incorporate Omega-3s into your diet naturally, supplements are readily available in local drugstores and don’t need to be expensive to be effective.
In a nutshell, Omega-3’s are great, and you should definitely have them in your diet. Whether you opt for seafood, flaxseeds, or supplements, all of these options will have a phenomenal effect on your skin, hair, and general wellbeing. So, what are you waiting for?
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