Being overweight can lead to a world of negative consequences. It can affect your mental state and your physical health. Obesity and depression go hand in hand in many cases. And it’s not even just depression – the same is true of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, skin conditions and even certain cancers. If you’re overweight, it truly is in your best interest to do something about it as soon as you possibly can.
Certain essential fatty acids can help with just this. Doesn’t it sound strange that FATTY acids can help you lose weight? Well, strange as it may sound, it’s completely true.
What are Essential Fatty Acids?
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are known as good fats because they help to improve your health in a variety of ways. We can’t synthesize them on our own, so we have to get them through food sources. They are basically long chain fatty acids that are unsaturated. EFAs can be derived from oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids fall into the essential category. Omega 9s are important for our health, but they’re not classified as essential because our bodies can manufacture small amounts of it.
Most people are deficient in Omega 3s, while consuming an excessive amount of Omega 6s. Bring your body into balance and burn more fat by consuming additional Omega 3s.
Omega 3 fatty acids increase your metabolic rate when you consume them consistently. A few simple changes to your diet and you’ll burn more calories all day long – even when you’re sleeping. In addition to that, they prevent some fat from forming in the first place. People who eat fatty fish have less of their blood sugar converted to fat. And the amount of enzymes that metabolize fat are increased as well.
Omega 3 for Muscle growth and Metabolization
These fatty acids will also help with muscle growth, by encouraging the metabolism of protein. When protein is metabolized, it’s broken down into amino acids before it can be used by the body’s muscles. Since Omega 3s improve this process, muscles have access to more of the amino acids they need to repair themselves and grow.
Maybe you’re thinking that you don’t really care about growing muscles, but if you’re interested in losing fat, it’s something you should consider. Muscles burn calories around the clock, just to live. The more muscle you have, the more calories you’re going to burn. You’re boosting your metabolism, making weight loss that much easier on you. Plus you don’t even have to bulk up if you don’t want to. Larger muscles don’t necessarily have to obvious. Every little gain makes a difference when it comes to fat burning.
Another thing these good fats will do is help you to feel fuller faster. It provides the nutrients your body actually needs, so your brain gets the signal that you’re satisfied sooner. You consume less calories and still feel just as full.
Omega 3 and Cell Oxygen
But Omega 3s don’t stop there. They also provide your body with the tools to better oxygenate your cells. When your cells are adequately oxygenated, you’ll find that your energy levels increase. You’ll be able to push harder during workouts. This is important because you’ll burn a lot more fat by working out furiously than you will be working out leisurely. You’ll also be more likely to be naturally active throughout the day as a result of this increased energy. That’s good news, considering the fact that people who move around throughout the day are more likely to be slim than people spend a lot of time sitting around, even if they hit the gym for an hour everyday!
So, how can you get more of these awesome fatty acids in your diet? Look to coldwater fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel. These type of fatty fish both improve your health and help with weight loss, while pleasing your tastebuds at the same time! Smaller amounts are also found in meat and eggs. Avacados and most seeds are good plant based sources of some Omega 3s, also. If you suspect you’re not getting enough via your diet, you may want to consider a krill or fish oil supplement.
So, enjoy those Omega 3s a little more often because these special fatty acids will do you body a lot of good. You’ll be rewarded with more energy, clearer thoughts, a healthier body and a slimmer waistline!
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