If there’s one supplement that seems to come up time and time again in clinic, it’s omega-3.
And honestly… what can’t omega-3s do? 🐟
From hormones and fertility to your brain, mood and skin, omega-3s can support so many different areas of health. The reason they support so many areas is that these essential fatty acids are involved in fundamental processes in the body including cell membrane structure, cellular communication and inflammatory pathways.
However! It should be noted that not all omega-3’s/fish oil supplements out there are the same and some might be doing more harm than good. Fish oil is a volatile oil and needs to be stabilised to prevent it from going rancid. You also want to make sure it's sustainably sourced from good sources and tested for heavy metals.
Don’t worry we’ve made it easy for you and will tell you our favourite supplement to prescribe later in the blog!
So, what are some of the reasons we love omega-3s in clinic?
1. Hormones, period pain + inflammatory conditions
Omega-3s, particularly EPA and DHA, are involved in the body's natural inflammatory pathways and help support a healthy inflammatory response. This is why we often consider omega-3 when supporting women with period pain, PMS and inflammatory hormone conditions, alongside addressing the bigger picture of hormonal and nutritional health.
2. Brain function, focus + mood
Your brain is one of the body's biggest consumers of fat, and DHA is an important structural component of brain tissue.
Omega-3s play a role in normal brain and nervous system function and have been extensively researched in relation to mood and cognitive health. They’re also commonly considered as part of nutritional support for areas such as focus, attention and ADHD, as well as stress and emotional wellbeing.
3. Skin health — from acne to eczema
Your skin needs healthy fats too!
Omega-3s are involved in maintaining healthy skin cell membranes and supporting the skin barrier, while also helping to regulate inflammatory pathways. This puts them high on the list when it comes to supporting inflammatory skin concerns such as acne and eczema, as well as overall skin health and hydration.
4. Preconception + pregnancy
If you’re thinking about starting a family, omega-3s deserve a place on the preconception checklist.
EPA and DHA support normal reproductive and cellular function and are relevant to both egg and sperm health. During pregnancy, DHA becomes particularly important for your baby's brain and eye development, making omega-3 intake something worth considering well before those two pink lines appear.
5. Heart + whole-body health
And we can't forget one of the areas omega-3s are best known for… cardiovascular health.
Omega-3s can support healthy triglyceride levels and normal heart function, while their role in cellular and inflammatory pathways means their benefits extend well beyond the cardiovascular system.
So, should you be taking an omega-3?
Not necessarily everyone needs to supplement, but it's worth looking at how much omega-3 you're actually getting from your diet.
If you regularly eat oily fish such as salmon, sardines or mackerel, you may already be getting a good amount. But if oily fish rarely makes it onto your plate, quality supplementation can be a good way to help bridge the gap.
Introducing our newest omega-3
We’re excited to introduce Nourish Omega, the newest addition to our range.
We’ve carefully selected this quality omega-3 to provide a therapeutic source of EPA and DHA and to complement our approach to women's health, hormones, skin, brain health and preconception care.
