By now you’ve probably heard about the benefits of fish for heart health. But what if you don’t like fish? Thankfully, you can still help support your heart health with fish oil supplements.
Fish oil supplements contain the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish that are known for supporting the health of your heart. This makes them a great option for people who don’t like fish or don’t fulfill the recommended twice-weekly fish consumption.
To understand more about how fish oil supplements can promote a healthy heart, we’ll discuss how omega-3s can work to support your heart, some omega-3 food options other than fish, and how to spot a quality fish oil supplement.
How Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Your Heart?
What is it about omega-3 fatty acids that makes them helpful for your heart health? There are several ways that omega-3s can support a strong, healthy heart. Your brain and heart need healthy fats like omega-3s to function as they should. These fatty acids support cellular function and immune response, as well as your ability to recover properly from physical activity. When you’re feeling happy and healthy, you’re more likely to continue moving your body regularly which will benefit your cardiovascular health.
Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids That Are Not Fish
While the American Heart Association recommends having two 3.5 oz servings of fish per week, some people don’t enjoy eating fish. Others may practice a vegan or vegetarian diet so they choose not to eat fish either. Fortunately, there are other sources of omega-3 fatty acids that don’t involve fish or animal foods.
Some fish-free, vegetarian/vegan sources of omega-3 fatty acids are:
- Seaweed, nori, spirulina, and chlorella
- Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds
- Spinach
- Mustard seeds and mustard oil
- Walnuts
- Kidney beans
- Edamame and soybean oil
Try to add in at least one of the above foods to your diet each day to support your heart. Here are some easy ways to incorporate vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids into your diet.
- Throw a tablespoon of chia seeds or flax seeds into your breakfast smoothie.
- You can make a big spinach salad for lunch and top it with some chopped walnuts and hemp seeds.
- The next time you dine at a Japanese restaurant, start your meal off with a seaweed salad and a plate of edamame.
- Stir in a large handful of spinach and a can of kidney beans into a soup.
What to Look for in Fish Oil Supplements
When choosing to use fish oil supplements, there are some elements to look for to help you choose the right supplement.
For optimal support for heart health, look for fish oil supplements fitting these criteria:
- Go for high-quality: Quality matters with fish oil supplements. Choose those made from sustainably-sourced, wild-caught fish for the best quality.
- At least 1000 mg (1 g) of omega-3 fatty acids: This is the most frequently recommended daily dose for heart health
- Contains EPA and DHA: Each of these omega-3s provide different benefits for the heart so you’ll achieve the best results when you include both
Try USANA BiOmega for Quality Omega-3 Supplementation
It can be quite easy to add in omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. Supplementation can also be helpful when you want a little extra insurance that you’re consuming of these fatty acids enough to benefit your heart health. A high-quality fish oil supplement like USANA BiOmega can be just what you need for healthy heart support. This formula uses cold-water deep-sea fish sourced sustainably to ensure top notch quality. Delivering 2000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from both EPA and DHA provides you with a fish oil supplement that will help support your goals for a happy, healthy heart. Whether you eat fish or not, USANA BiOmega has got you covered!