Omega 3 and sports: what do they have to do with each other?
Those who exercise often know how important nutrition is. It supports your energy, recovery and health. One nutrient that you may not immediately link to sports performance, but that definitely plays a role in the body is omega 3. Not as a performance enhancer, but as a fatty acid your body needs on a daily basis. In this article, you will read why omega 3 also fits an active lifestyle.
What exactly is omega 3?
Omega 3 is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are important for your body. This means that your body cannot make them itself: you must get them through food or supplements.
The three best-known forms are:
- ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is found in plant sources such as flaxseed, chia seeds and walnuts.
- EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is mainly found in oily fish and algae.
- DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) also present in oily fish and algae.
Find out more in our blog: What is omega 3.
What makes omega 3 interesting for athletes?
Although there are no approved health claims about omega 3 and athletic performance, muscle recovery or training results, studies do show that these fatty acids are broadly involved in processes in the body.
Those who exercise a lot ask more of their bodies than average. Not only muscles are taxed, the heart has to work harder as well. With prolonged and regular training, the body adapts. An athlete's heart, also called a sports heart, becomes larger and stronger, allowing it to pump more blood per beat. This in itself is a healthy adaptation, but also requires adequate support through nutrition, rest and recovery.
For athletes, it's often about the overall picture: being able to focus well, stay fit, recover after exercise and stay healthy in the long run. This is why a balanced diet is important, which includes omega 3 fatty acids. This is how you give your body the building blocks it needs.
Read more about this in our blog: Omega 3 for Athletes.
Are you eating enough omega 3?
The Health Council recommends eating oily fish, such as salmon or mackerel, once a week. Yet many people fail to do so. Especially athletes who do not like fish, eat vegetarian or plant-based foods, may benefit from a supplemental omega 3 supplement. Arctic Blue offers high-quality fish oil and algae oil. This way you give your body what it needs on a daily basis in a simple way.
Omega 3 as part of a healthy lifestyle
Whether you train fanatically or want to stay mostly active, your body works best when you take good care of it. Exercise, sleep, nutrition and recovery are inseparable. Omega 3 fits within that overall picture as a daily necessary fatty acid source. Not to perform better, but to stay healthy.
Want to make sure you get enough EPA and DHA? Then check out our range of omega 3 from Arctic Blue.