Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential nutrient—particularly for women! Read on and discover 8 omega-3 benefits for women.

Omega-3s are a form of polyunsaturated fat. While you may have mixed feelings about the word fat, this particular fat is essential for overall health and wellness! Our bodies can’t produce omega-3 fatty acids, so we have to get them through our diets or with supplements. And it turns out that Omega-3s benefit women in several important ways.

If you’re wondering exactly what types of benefits women may experience when they get an adequate amount of omega-3s, we’ve got you covered! Women can find relief for things like menopausal night sweats, PCOS symptoms, osteoporosis, and MORE.

Read on and discover eight ways that women can benefit from Omega-3 fatty acids.

Pssst! Our GLX3 is an all-natural, highly concentrated Omega-3 supplement. It features a rare Omega-3 called ETA which is shown to inhibit pain caused by chronic inflammation.  It’s made from New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels and also contains EPA, DHA, and 30 other Fatty Acids.

Omega-3s Are Essential During and After Pregnancy

According to the American Pregnancy Association, “pregnant women become depleted in omega-3s because the fetus uses omega-3s for its nervous system development. Omega-3s are also used after birth to make breast milk. With each subsequent pregnancy, mothers are further depleted.”

Bottom line? Omega-3s are good for your pregnancy! Getting enough Omega-3 will help with fetal development and with milk production! A review in Obstetrics & Gynecology even says, “Omega-3 fatty acids may also play a role in determining the length of gestation and in preventing perinatal depression.”

While you should always talk with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine, many pregnant women take additional omega-3s while pregnant to offset the loss of this essential nutrient. Additionally, supplementing with omega-3s helps reduce inflammation while pregnant.

Omega-3s May Ease Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain is no fun regardless of whether you have average periods or if you have dysmenorrhea (painful periods). Luckily, Omega-3s are one of the few nutritional supplements that have been known to ease menstrual pain!

Several studies have looked at the correlation between diet and menstrual cramps, and the general consensus is that those who ingest more omega-3s have less severe pain. One study suggested that specific Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) actually lower prostaglandin levels. Prostaglandins are lipids with hormone-like effects that trigger uterine contractions. Less prostaglandin means less severe uterine contractions (Psst! That means less painful cramps!).

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Ease Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a condition where the ovaries produce more male sex hormones than they should. This condition can lead to painful ovarian cysts, acne, obesity, and even infertility. While omega-3s can’t cure PCOS, they can help ease some of the symptoms.

First, we already know that Omega-3s can help relieve painful cramps by lowering prostaglandin levels. On top of that, Omega-3s may make it easier for those with PCOS to lose weight. 

Oftentimes, those with PCOS end up developing insulin resistance that makes it difficult to shed weight. Luckily, a study conducted by Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology showed that women with PCOS who supplemented with Omega-3s showed improvement in insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and adiponectin (a fat-derived hormone that protects against insulin resistance). 

Omega-3s May Improve Cardiovascular Health in Women

According to the CDC, roughly 1 out of every 16 women (age 20+) is at risk of coronary heart disease. What’s even more shocking is that in 2017, heart disease was “…the leading cause of death for women in the United States.” Regardless of why women are at risk for cardiovascular disorders (PCOS, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.), it’s important that women understand how to lower their risks—and omega-3s are a great place to start!

Omega-3s can reduce heart attacks among those at risk in several ways. First, omega-3s lower triglyceride levels (bad cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). This means less buildup of cholesterol! The American Heart Association also says, “They may also decrease platelet aggregation…may decrease the chance of the heart having an abnormal rhythm. Omega-3 fatty acids may also increase compliance of arteries, decrease atherosclerosis through their effects on metabolism, and reduce inflammatory markers in the body.”

Omega-3s May Relieve Pain From Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are roughly 1.3 million people in the U.S. with rheumatoid arthritis and women are 2.5 times more likely to develop RA. This inflammatory disorder can cause painful swelling in the joints that can make mobility difficult, particularly for older women. 

Omega-3s, however, have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce painful swelling and improve mobility. The Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology even says, “Clinical studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids may have a modulatory effect on disease activity, namely on the number of swollen and tender joints. It appears that omega-3 fatty acids may modulate disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.”

If you or someone you know is suffering from arthritis, be sure to read our Guide to Living with Arthritis.

Omega-3s May Alleviate Some Symptoms Associated with Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a nuisance. Things like joint pain, hot flashes, and osteoporosis are just the tip of the iceberg. While Omega-3s can’t solve all the issues that come with menopause, it can certainly help with a few.

First, Omega-3s are phenomenal for joint pain because of their potent anti-inflammatory properties. Second, menopausal women have been known to experience hot flashes once a week or even every thirty minutes. While some last just a few seconds, some can last several minutes. Fortunately, studies have shown that supplementing with Omega-3s can reduce the frequency of hot flashes (specifically those that happen at night aka night sweats).

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Another disorder that disproportionately impacts women is osteoporosis. According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, “Of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, about eight million or 80% are women.” Additionally, roughly half of women over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis complications. 

However, according to the Australian Menopause Centre, “An increased intake of Omega-3 acids increases bone mineral content and produces healthier, stronger bones. As menopause can increase a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis due to a drop in estrogen levels, Omega-3 fatty acids should be an essential part of a menopausal diet.”

Omega-3s May Improve Cognition and Mobility in Older Women

Both the ability to safely move around and to think clearly play a pivotal role in health and safety for elderly individuals, particularly women. Fortunately, this is an area where omega-3s REALLY shine.

In one study, postmenopausal women (60-84 years) were given either a placebo or an omega-3 multi-nutrient supplement for six months. After assessing the results, researchers said, “multinutrient supplementation improved cognition and mobility in able older females at clinically relevant levels, suggesting a potential role in reducing the decline to frailty.”

How Can Women Use Omega-3s for Maximum Results?

Hopefully, by now, you’re well versed in the many ways that Omega-3s can benefit women. So, now the big question is HOW to use this knowledge to actually experience those benefits! 

Overall, the two simplest ways to get omega-3s are through diet and/or nutritional supplements. If you opt for the diet route, be sure to avoid inflammatory foods while getting plenty of foods that are rich in Omega-3s. That will include foods like:

• Mackerel
• Salmon 
• Cod Liver Oil
• Herring
• Flax Seeds
• Chia Seeds
• Walnuts
• Soybeans

If you’re pregnant, however, you may want to discuss dietary options with your doctor. Some fish have high levels of mercury that could be harmful. That’s one reason why many individuals choose to simply take a nutritional supplement with Omega-3s.

When it comes to nutritional supplements, however, you’ll want to do your research and make sure you’re using a product with high-quality ingredients. For example, while it’s tempting to reach for your nearest fish oil supplement, not all are created equal. Some fish oil supplements only contain 30% Omega-3s, and the rest is comprised of other types of fats.

You’ll also want to ensure you’re getting a good mixture of omega-3s for maximum results. In our GLX3 supplement, we’ve included EPA, OTA, DHA, and a rare omega-3 called ETA. That last one is only found in green-lipped mussels, but it blocks both the COX-2 and LOX inflammatory pathways simultaneously and minimizes inflammation more effectively in comparison to other Omega-3s (and even NSAIDs).

Bottom line? Do your research and find a high-quality supplement to get all the benefits of Omega-3.

Try GLX3 and Benefit From Omega-3s TODAY

Along with highly concentrated green-lipped mussel oil, we’ve included New Zealand Olive Oil and New Zealand Vitamin E Oil. These ingredients work synergistically together to provide you with maximum anti-inflammatory benefits.

If you want to jumpstart your wellness, we invite you to try our GLX3 for yourself. Feel free to click here and see what others are saying about GLX3 and don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. 

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