Omega 3 are important polyunsaturated fatty acids, also called essential fatty acids that must be introduced with the diet because our body is not able to synthesize them.
The sources from which we can introject Omega 3 are fish, linseed oil and linseed, as well as natural supplements sold in herbal medicine. Together with Omega 6, Omega 3 are important to prevent some pathologies affecting the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes, hyperglyceridemia: beyond these big words very simply a correct altitude of polyunsaturated fatty acids allows to avoid excesses of cholesterol in our coronary and triglycerides in the blood that could cause thrombi with very serious damages.
Omega 3 supplements and zone diet
According to the well-known biochemist Barry Sears, father of the zone diet, Omega 3 supplements used with a precise and controlled dosage are able to help lose weight if properly inserted in a diet that supervises the hormonal production of eicosanoids and the peak glycemic induced by food.
Summarizing very briefly, the zone diet provides for a correct control on the one hand of the production of insulin, which is stimulated to convey the glycemic rise caused by the calories introjected with carbohydrates, first in the liver reserves and in the muscles and then the excesses in the cells fat.
On the other hand it also controls the excess production of glucagon, an insulin antagonist and fielded by our body when we prefer a diet rich in proteins and low in carbohydrates. An excess of glucagon damages our body. Taking the correct proportions of carbohydrates, proteins and fats keeps the hormonal values taken into consideration in balance.
3 main meals and 2 snacks must be consumed, without allowing more than 5 hours to elapse between one and the other and must always contain a portion of carbohydrates, one of protein and one of fat (40%, 30% and 30% respectively) . However, I invite you to learn more about the zone diet, which can be an example of balanced and correct nutrition.
In this structure and I emphasize in this dietary structure, Omega 3 supplements can be inserted to start a synergy that develops to counteract the adipose tissue. These polyunsaturated fatty acids are able to modulate the production of insulin, and, in addition to a control of the glycemic peak, thus subtract nourishment from the fat cells.
Furthermore, our adipose tissue is often a receptacle of catabolites, chemical process waste, cellular degradation, which intoxicates it. Hence the generation of inflammatory processes that trigger cellular alarm signals, with the consequence of inducing the proliferation of new fat cells and therefore further fat.
Omega 3, on the other hand, are scavenger acids, which clean from the waste elements, thereby inhibiting "fattening" inflammatory processes. Dr. Sears also states that Omega 3s are capable of activating particular transcription factors in DNA (PPAR-Alpha), which transmit input to produce fat-burning enzymes.
Is it possible to lose weight with Omega 3?
To answer the question with which we opened this article, I would say that taking Omega 3 with the sole intent to lose weight is a mistake and does not lead to the vaunted result .
I hope that even if in brief what stated above will clarify how to integrate Omega 3 can assist the loss of unhealthy body fat, inscribing them in a precise diet, which exploits some chemical-hormonal reactions induced by the nature of the foods themselves.
Moreover Omega3 must be well balanced with Omega6, so we avoid abuse, diets, incorrect associations. There are nutritionists who will know how to best advise us and the information we can find here will help us to ask the right questions.