At iwi life, our goal is to improve access to bioavailable forms of omega-3 fatty acids. There are many reasons why men should strive to maintain a consistent daily intake of these vital nutrients. With the help of the right supplement, it is easy to do just that.
What Is Omega-3?
Dietary omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids, meaning that, chemically, they contain more than one double bond. At least one bond happens between the third and fourth carbon atoms. These nutrients make up the building blocks of many cells, acting as significant structural components of cell membranes. Omega-3 fatty acids also help support several bodily functions and provide a source of energy.
There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids, which are:
- Alpha linolenic acid (ALA), a short-chain precursor
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
Of the three types, ALA is the most abundant in foods like plant oils, nuts, and seeds, making it easier to obtain the nutrient through diet alone. On the other hand, DHA and EPA are only available in select foods, like fatty fish or fish oil, meaning it is harder to obtain them in a regular diet. DHA and EPA can be synthesized by the body using ALA, but only very small amounts of ALA are actually converted.
Studies show that, in young men, only about 8% of ALA is converted into EPA, while even less, between 0-4%, is converted to EPA. These numbers are slightly higher in women, but still quite low. As a result of these low conversion amounts, the recommendation for most people is to take supplemental DHA and EPA, while supplementing ALA is not necessary. This is especially true for men.
It is essential to receive a regular intake of these two fatty acids because they provide the most significant health benefits among the three types of omega-3s. For men older than 18 years of age, the daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids is 1.6 grams.
What Are the Benefits of Omega-3 for Men?
Omega-3 fatty acids provide several benefits for the body, supporting many of its vital functions. These fatty acids also provide many advantages for men specifically, helping to increase the presence of the nutrients in the body and maintain the healthy function of several important systems. Consistent omega-3 intake is important for men because it can do the following:
1. Support Heart Health
Omega-3 fatty acids have various possible benefits for the cardiovascular system, one of which is the potential ability to help support a regular heartbeat. A diet containing adequate levels of omega-3 may play a role in supporting a healthy heart rhythm so that you can go about your daily tasks without skipping a beat, figuratively and literally.
2. Maintain Joint Health
Whether you are the self-proclaimed “man of the house” and take on a lot of physical tasks or just enjoy physical activity and exercise, your joints can take a beating. Omega-3 fatty acids can help give your joints the support they need to remain healthy. Omega-3s can help support proper calcium levels and soothe discomfort in your joints so you can take on your daily routines with ease.
3. Support Brain Function
Aging does not always have the most welcome side effects — it can negatively affect cognitive function and overall brain health. On the bright side, regular intake of DHA and EPA omega-3s can help you stay a step ahead and maintain healthy cognitive function, even throughout the aging process.
DHA is an important molecule in the brain, making up part of the organ’s structure. The fatty acid can benefit both memory and motor skills, which are two crucial functions that could use support during aging so that you can keep pace with your goals and loved ones.
When put together, DHA and EPA may provide additional benefits for your nervous system as a whole.
4. Supports Healthy Blood Pressure
EPA fatty acids produce eicosanoids, which help support proper signaling between cells in the body. These capabilities have several effects, one of which is support for healthy blood pressure, which goes a long way toward maintaining your heart health as a whole.
5. Help Support Support Cholesterol Levels Already Within The Healthy Range
Consistent intake of omega-3 fats may support cholesterol levels already within the healthy range. This can help support your overall cardiovascular health, and your wellness as a whole. Maintain peace of mind by making omega-3 a consistent part of your diet.
6. Maintain Healthy Circulation
Getting enough omega-3 may support proper circulation by maintaining arterial health. The potential of fatty acids to support overall arterial health may also play a role in maintaining healthy circulation, which can help you maintain your physical performance, even throughout aging.
7. Supports Overall Emotional Wellness
Everyone deserves to enjoy overall mental wellness. A consistent intake of EPA fatty acids through either diet or supplementation may support emotional wellness. With its supportive role in the body, EPA can also help maintain metabolic pathways, leading to an indirect benefit for overall emotional wellness.
8. Supports Eye Health
DHA omega-3s are abundant in the retina, meaning they play a foundational role in healthy eye function. A consistent intake of DHA may help maintain eye health throughout the aging process. Studies have shown that omega-3 deficiency can negatively impact the health of the eye and that there may be multiple benefits of omega-3 intake for eye health. A large part of these benefits can support sharp, clear vision overall,
What Is the Richest Form of Omega-3?
When people think of omega-3 fatty acids, they often think of fish, like salmon or tuna. However, there is a far more underrated and far more fatty acid-rich food.
Contrary to popular belief, fish do not produce omega-3 fatty acids on their own. Fish are only such a strong source of omega-3 fatty acids because they consume them through algae, which makes up a large portion of their diet.
Although fish often take the spotlight, algae are actually the most bioavailable form of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. The body absorbs omega-3s from one particular form of algae, Nannochloropsis, 1.7X better than from other sources, like fish or krill oil.
Algae is also highly nutrient-dense, making it the more powerful, more sustainable option. To obtain one year’s worth of omega-3 fatty acids, one needs only 7.2 pounds of algae. To obtain the same amount of omega-3s, one would need 13,600 krill or 110 fish. These numbers are a testament to just how rich in omega-3s algae is.
How Can I Improve My Omega-3 Intake?
An easy way to enjoy the benefits of omega-3s is through iwi life’s omega-3 supplement. Just two softgel capsules a day provide you with your entire daily recommended intake of DHA and EPA fatty acids.
Our algae-based supplements not only provide many health benefits, but they may just be easier to include in your daily routine. iwi life supplements are completely plant-based, meaning they do not come with the unpleasant scent and taste of fish oil. Finally, you can enjoy a supplement that provides all the potential benefits of omega-3 without the uncomfortable, unavoidable fish burps of fish oil supplements.
Our omega-3 supplement is formulated with nutrients to promote overall health and wellness. This powerful formula includes omega-3s alongside omega-6s and polar lipids.
With the combination of other minerals like copper, magnesium, and zinc, this vitamin works to maintain the health of the skin, muscles, and nervous systems. By including fenugreek seed, our multivitamin can also support healthy testosterone levels to keep you performing at your all-around best.
Experience the Benefits of Omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids have a long list of benefits for men’s health, so they make an excellent addition to your daily nutrient intake, either through diet or supplementation. iwi life combines the powers of multiple nutrients to create a supplement that provides comprehensive benefits for men’s health. Try our Men’s Multivitamin today.
At iwi life, we work passionately to deliver all the benefits that omega-3 has to offer by providing 100% plant-based, easily absorbed omega-3 supplements. Our goal is to provide complete nutrition that is good for the body and good for the planet. Explore our whole family of products to see how we promote overall health and wellness with algae.
Sources:
Essential Fatty Acids | Linus Pauling Institute
Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Health Professional Fact Sheet | National Institute for Health
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Heart Health | American Heart Association.
Retina and Omega-3 | PubMed Central
The Truth About Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Heart Health | Penn Medicine
