Omega- 3 fatty acids are found in grass, green leaves, and other plants that our food was designed to eat. In this day and age, with poor meat quality from feed lots, we may not be getting enough of the healthy Omega-3s. This is why many people try to search out grass-fed beef, farm-fresh, pastured eggs, and wild-caught fish.
Many people supplement their diets with fish oil to help boost their intake of Omega-3’s. When shopping around for a fish oil, there are hundreds of brands and forms to choose from. So where do you start? Start with checking their amount of EPA and DHA. These are specific types of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. Our bodies cannot produce them, so we have to get them through the foods we eat or through supplements.
So why do Crossfitters need them? Well, first of all, fish oil is like nature’s ibuprofen. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and help with a plethora of medical issues. Anywhere from heart to brain health, cancer prevention, even Alzheimer’s and depression can be prevented with Omega-3s. There have also been studies that taking a high-quality fish oil during pregnancy can help with fetal brain development (just make sure to check with your doctor on that one).
When choosing a fish oil brand, look for oils that are free of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives that you don’t need. Also look at the EPA and DHA amounts per serving, The more concentrated those amounts are the less fish oil you will need to take. As far as liquid vs capsule form that is all personal preference.
There are some people who should not take fish oil. People that have difficulty clotting or who are on blood thinners should definitely consult with their doctor, and just like any supplement, anyone starting one should always talk to a medical professional first.
The people at Whole9 recommend that people take 2-4 grams of EPA/DHA daily. If you have a diet rich in grass-fed meats, wild-caught salmon, nuts and seeds you may not need that amount.
CrossFit Albuquerque orders high quality fish oil periodically. If you are interested, talk to Joe about when the next order will be placed!
