Omega-3 Fish Oil: Enhance Fat Loss, Boost Performance and Prevent Muscle Loss
High-fat diets are typically associated with gains in body fat, essentially because of the higher caloric density of fat. However, studies have shown that diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can actually reduce body fat. 1-3 Both of these fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that contain a carboxylic acid group attached to a rather long chain of covalently linked carbon atoms. As polyunsaturated fats, they also have several double bonds within their carbon chain, which significantly alters their chemical structure relative to other dietary fats such as saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The difference in chemical structure gives omega-3 fatty acids, like EPA and DHA, the unique capacity to reduce body fat while also decreasing inflammation – which together contribute to the many health benefits linked with their consumption, such as a lower risk for heart disease as well as certain cancers.