Obesity and Omega-3s

by Jonny Bowden (Subscribe to Jonny Bowden's posts)
May 4th 2009 1:00PM

Categories: Jonny's Take, Diet & Weight Loss

Jonny Bowden, author, nutritionist and weight loss coach cuts through all the misconceptions about diet and fitness to help you transform your body, your health and your life.

I've been preaching about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for so long I'm hoarse. But up until now, there hasn't been much research on omega-3's and obesity. We know for a fact that omega 3s benefit the heart and the brain. But might they also be helpful in a weight loss program?

Off the record, a number of top trainers and nutritionists have been recommending omega-3s for their overweight clients for years. Why? Every overweight person has some degree of inflammation, and omega-3s are anti-inflammatory. Many health professionals suspect that lowering inflammation may make weight loss easier -- they just haven't been able to prove it yet in a study.

Now, new research seems to confirm what we've long suspected. Spanish researchers found that animals fed omega-3s deposited significantly less fat in their fat tissue and livers, and had much lower production of inflammatory substances. This suggests that increased consumption of omega-3s by obese humans might discourage fat gain and promote healthier fat tissue and liver metabolism.

Another study from Spain, Ireland and Iceland found that higher omega-3 intake by obese individuals on a weight-loss diet might help control appetite and satiety, promote weight loss and reduce the likelihood of developing insulin resistance.

Source

Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

u262f 5-05-2009 @ 2:03AM

It'd be nice to get a link to the study. I have so many other questions about it. How do these results compare with other MUFAs or even polyunsaturated fats? In other words, does it have to be omega-3 specifically, or are all the unsaturated fats not as evil as we originally thought?

Jonny Bowden 5-05-2009 @ 4:50PM

Hi-

the study is summarized in the March 2009 "Fats of Life" newsletter: here's a link:

http://www.fatsoflife.com/article.php?nid=2&edition=this&id=669&issueid=71

good health,
jonny

mandy 9-07-2009 @ 8:46PM

I have been taking Omega 3 supplements for years and can heartily recommend them. I was unaware of the diet benefits, that is an added bonus.

Mandy,
Simply Lose Weight