In a recent post, we dissected cholesterol--the good, the bad, and the Bizzy. Today, we want to go in-depth with Omega-3, a space-age sounding name for a crucial nutritious asset.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids have been making headlines for some time now. Why is that? Because these fats reduce inflammation, helping to prevent things like heart disease and arthritis. Omega-3s have also been shown to improve HDL cholesterol (see our previous post), as well as the health of our joints, bones, skin, lungs and of course our mental health. Increased consumption of omega-3s have even been associated with a lower risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancer. That's some powerful fat!
Omega-3s are called essential fats because they are crucial to brain and body function--impacting mood, behavior, and physical health--yet they are only available to us through our diets. So how do we get more Omega-3s in our diet? First, you need to know that there are three types: ALA, EPA and DHA. DHA is found in seafood, algae, and coldwater fish; EPA is found in the same foods, as well cod liver, herring, mackerel, and halibut. ALA is plant-based; you can find it in hempseed, canola oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil, linseeds, walnuts, and walnut oil. But the best source, experts agree, is flaxseed.
Now, we're pretty adventurous bakers, daring to do things 100% wheat and flour free, but you won't find any fish-cakes here. However, you'll find plenty of ALA Omega-3s in our flaxseed! This Bizzy Lizzy pantry staple is the foundation of nearly all our baked goods, and a great way to add all these health benefits to your diet.