‘Underground’ Omega-3 PUMPS UP Your Heart Health

What’s one of the single best nutrients your body needs for overall health?

Omega-3 fatty acids.

And trust me, I’ve talked about them A LOT… especially when it comes to how they benefit your heart.

Most folks beef up their omega-3s by eating fish or taking a fish oil supplement.

But what if you can’t seem to stick to a supplement regimen… or the thought of eating even a single forkful of fish turns you green?

Well, my friend, science has just thrown us another bone…

Because there’s an “omega-3 source you probably DON’T know about!

And it can do wonders for your heart.

The best part? It doesn’t involve a single piece of fish!

Sure, salmon is synonymous with omega-3s. But according to researchers from Penn State, you can also get heart-healthy omega-3s from PLANTS.

Their study found that eating alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based version of omega-3, can protect your heart and reduce your risk of heart disease.

In fact, the study found that eating ALA from various plant-based foods like walnuts and flaxseeds contributed to:

• A 10% decline in cardiovascular disease risk
• A 20% lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease

The study also found that eating ALA-rich foods in addition to ‘traditional’ sources of omega-3s could provide a positive benefit to your overall heart health.

In other words, whether it’s a handful of walnuts or a plateful of salmon… you can’t have ‘too many’ omega-3s.

I love eating walnuts, and often use the crushed variety as a topping for salads (even a refreshing salmon salad – for an extra boost of omega-3s).

ALA is available in many cooking oils available at your grocery story, including canola oil – a great alternative for those with nut allergies.

If you have heart disease – or are simply working to help better your heart health – talk to you doctor about the best approach for incorporating ALA (and all omega-3s) into your diet.

To the good fats,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Anderer, John. “No seafood or supplements: Walnuts and plant-based omega-3s can also boost heart health.” 4/29/22. https://www.studyfinds.org/walnuts-plant-based-omega-3/