In case you’re new here, or haven’t read / watched all of these little missives ( ie those of you who have real lives) , I used to work for a supplement company. Yeah, it’s vitamins, but also a lot more than that ( see Sam, I KNOW it’s more than just vitamins. Relax 😉 , but I won’t bore you with the details. Maybe that’s for another day. And I do, sincerely, believe in the benefits of supplementation. To me it’s common sense. I don’t eat a perfect diet. There are nutrients that I don’t get, or don’t get enough of. There are a mind numbing number of nutrients that do all kinds of marvelous things for your body. And honestly, if you look at the marketplace out there, there are supplements for every possible age, gender, life stage & malady out there. From Dr. Oz to Frank Thomas , winking at the camera and telling us that “she’ll like it too”. like what he is pedaling is some sort of budget version of viagra, without actually saying that it actually does anything, but we should believe him because it’s made him so lean, trim & muscular……hmmm….
….but I digress…
So, yes, you can take an endless number of tablets designed to cure or alleviate or boost or rejuvenate. But if I had to recommend one thing, in addition to your garden variety multi, that everybody should take. That one thing would be…( drum roll please…)

OMEGA-3 fatty acids!

Boy. That was exciting, I know..

But why Bob, why Omega-3’s?

Couple things, curious reader. First, there’s a 99.9% chance it’s not in your multi-vitamin. It comes in a soft-gel, or a liquid. It’s just not in tablets. And it has a crazy number of benefits.
Allow me to elucidate;

Omega-3s are a family of essential fatty acids that play important roles in your body and provide a number of health benefits. As your body cannot produce them on its own, you must get them from your diet. The 2 most important types are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
Never mind the scrabble game winner words above. Just think DHA & EPA.
To get these omega -3’s, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that everyone eats fish (particularly fatty, coldwater fish) at least twice a week. Salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, lake trout, and tuna are especially high in omega-3 fatty acids. For you vegetarians & vegans, omega-3s are also found in flax seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed oil, and walnuts, but in lower concentrations than in the fish listed above.

Some of the major benefits;

Eye health / brain health
DHA is a major structural component of your eyes’ retinas. It may help prevent macular
degeneration, which can cause vision impairment and blindness. DHA also may play an important role in the functioning of the brain. Researchers are actively investigating the possible benefits of DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids in preventing or treating a variety of brain- and eye-related conditions. Omega-3 fats may help prevent age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease, but more research is needed.

Children
Omega-3 supplements can reduce the symptoms
of ADHD in children. They improve attention and reduce hyperactivity,
impulsiveness and aggression.

Chronic Inflammation
Omega-3s can reduce chronic inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease, cancer
and various other diseases.

Bone strength / joint health
Omega-3s may improve bone strength and joint health, potentially reducing your risk of
osteoporosis and arthritis. A 2012 review of the scientific literature concluded that EPA and DHA may be modestly helpful in relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Women’s health
Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce menstrual pain
and may even be more effective than ibuprofen. In addition, getting enough omega-3s during pregnancy and early life may be crucial for your child’s development. Omega-3s are linked to
higher intelligence and a lower risk of several diseases.

Skin health
Omega-3s have been linked to skin health and elasticity and linked to
preventing premature aging as well as safeguarding against sun damage.

AND, Omega-3s have also been linked to improving the length and quality of your sleep!
What else could you want?

Any drawbacks?
The AHA says taking up to 3 grams of fish oil daily in supplement form is considered safe. Don’t take more than that unless you discuss it with your doctor first.

Side effects from omega-3 fish oil may include:
A fishy taste in your mouth
Fishy breath ( burp-backs)
Loose stools
Nausea

Now, I don’t know about the nausea and stool thing, but the fishy taste and fishy burps?
Oh heck yes.
I remember the mother of all Omega supplements, cod-liver oil.
OMG that was bad.
And still today, that’s the biggest thing.
They SAY that their product doesn’t taste like fish.
They SAY that you won’t burp back fish in the middle of your morning coffee.
Most of them are, simply, lying.
The one I take doesn’t, but it took me a while to find it.
I won’t name it, because I’m not it the business of endorsing brands here…
…and they aren’t paying me.

So, in summary,
It’s not in your multi.
It has all kinds of benefits for your overall health and well-being.
It’s not being endorsed by a former athlete who looks like he probably eats everything that doesn’t try to eat him first.

That’s all for this week.
Talk later,
Bob
P.S. I get my 2nd Moderna shot on Saturday. YES!