Sure, omega-3s are fantastic for us. But it turns out there’s a way to turn up the volume on the health-boosting benefits of these fatty acids.
The new research takes the omega-3s story even further and reveals how we can make a great thing even better.
The study looks beyond the dozens of proven benefits of omega-3s that have turned up in the news lately.
Instead of focusing on something like brain or heart health again, the researchers set out to discover how to supercharge the omega-3s so they could make them perform even better.
They accomplished their goal by adding another group of powerful nutrients to the mix. In their own ways, these vitamins are just as crucial for our good health as the omega-3s.
But they don’t get nearly the same level of attention.
Get the MOST out of your omega-3s
It turns out the key to enhancing the omega-3s beneficial effects was to add B vitamins. And B6, B12, and folic acid, in particular.
The powerful combination provides extra protection against the inflammation at the heart of so many of today’s leading chronic diseases.
The study finds the omega-3s and Bs work synergistically… each one enhancing the actions of the others. And that could deliver some potent protection against cardiovascular disease.
The team behind the study suspects this combination may be the REAL reason the Mediterranean diet is so effective at reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. After all, the diet is loaded with both omega-3s and B vitamins.
As a result, researchers are pushing to increase the levels of both sets of nutrients through diet rather than supplements.
I can’t fault them for that. I agree we should get as many of our vitamins, minerals, and nutrients through diet as possible. But the reality is that many folks can’t (or don’t) get enough of these essentials from diet alone. At least not on an everyday basis.
That last part is crucial. Your body doesn’t store most B vitamins very well. So you can run low on them very quickly if you’re not getting them in your daily diet.
Supplements are an excellent way to pick up the slack. And they’re not just for reducing your heart risks, either.
Another reason to boost your Bs
Cardiovascular protection might be the best-known benefit of omega-3s, but it’s not the only one. The fatty acids can also help fight pain… enhance vision… and, maybe most importantly, protect the brain.
And that last one is where B vitamins also shine.
In some studies, a combination of these same three B vitamins (B6, B12, and folic acid) was able to help slow the “brain shrink” so closely linked to cognitive problems in seniors. That means the Bs ALONE are already a promising weapon in the battle against dementia.
But, once again, each nutrient may help to enhance the others. A 2019 report concluded that an increase in omega-3s AND essential B vitamins led to:
- increased blood flow to the brain
- better performance on cognitive tests
And that, in turn, could help ensure you never battle the nightmare of dementia.
But I do have one heads up. If you start taking a B complex, you should know it can turn your pee bright yellow… and I mean practically fluorescent. It can be a little unsettling the first time you see it, but it’s normal and harmless.
If you suspect you may be running low in Bs, I shared a list of common symptoms of B-12 deficiency in my earlier report, “Majority of seniors dangerously low in two critical vitamins.” You’ll also find a list of foods that can help bump up your Bs in that same report.
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