Fats have a bad reputation. We are told to avoid fats like trans fat because they increase your total cholesterol and may even clog the arteries. However, there are good fats to be found as well.

Fats, especially the good kind, play an important role in our body, functioning as energy stores, a transport system for fat-soluble vitamins and even cushioning our organs^[1]. Particularly important is Omega-3, a kind of fat found in salmon and sardines, walnuts and soybean oil, to name but a few. It has numerous health benefits for everybody in the family. Here’s how it can benefit everyone:

1. For the Baby^[2]

As a pregnant mother, the health of your unborn baby is dependent on what you eat. If you eat a nutritious diet, your baby, too, will receive the nutrients needed to grow and develop. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of Omega-3 fatty acid, is particularly important for the development of the baby’s brain and eyes.

2. For Mom and Dad^[3]

Mom and dad may benefit from a diet rich in Omega-3 too. Not only does Omega-3 reduce blood clotting in the arteries, but it also protects them from hardening. These benefits will in turn lower the risk of heart disease in the long run. For middle-aged family members in Singapore, this is especially important since cardiovascular disease is one of the leading health concerns.

3. For Grandparents^[4]

Heart-related benefits of Omega-3 also apply to aged members of the family. Omega-3 increases the elasticity of blood vessels and even lowers triglyceride levels.

Where Do I Find Omega-3?

Unlike certain vitamins and minerals produced naturally by the human body, Omega-3 can only be obtained via consumption. The good news, however, is that foods and products enriched with this fatty acid are not difficult to find — like off-the-shelf fish oil supplements.

The problem comes, however, when your loved ones do not or cannot swallow pills and capsules. In that case, getting Omega-3 fatty acid through food and drink is the better and smarter way to go.

Food and Drink Sources

Aside from salmon, sardine, walnuts and soybean oil, you can also find Omega-3 fatty acid in plant sources, such as flaxseeds^[5] — and that is not all.

If prepping these ingredients is too much of a hassle, go for DHA-enriched milk instead, which is easily available and easy to take. Milk has many other benefits for the young and elderly in the family. Calcium in the milk, coupled with regular exercise, contributes to overall bone health and decreases the risk of osteoporosis in older adults.

Sources

[1] http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/458/Getting%20the%20Fats%20Right!

[2]http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2740http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2740

[3]https://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/5634https://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/5634

[4]https://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2868https://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2868

[5]http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2740http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/2740