128 – Omega-3 for Women and Children – My Interview with Dr. Aimee Shunney

Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for women’s health and children’s development.

Omega-3Everyone who is interested in nutrition knows about fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids. We all understand that they are important. What we often fail to understand is how the nutrients exert their effects.  How do these important nutrients work? Consumers often get stuck not knowing what to take or why. They don’t know, for example, how is fish oil different from glucosamine for joint support. They both have reported benefits in this area. Consumers tend to focus on their health challenges and can something help them. That is all well and good. However, if we never look beyond the condition to the cause, and to the tissues affected we will not be as successful in improving our health. Not for a lack of trying, but more for a failure to understand how to put together a nutritional program that works. Fish oil and omega-3 are a good example of this.

Necessary from womb to tomb
Fish oil and omega-3 have thousands of clinical studies revealing benefits through out the body. Why is this nutrient so universally beneficial? That is the topic I will explore with Dr. Shunney as it relates to women and children. But what Dr. Shunney reveals is that the benefits and need for omega-3 exist in humans from womb to tomb. We require omega-3 throughout our lifetimes. The problems associated with omega-3 deficiency are many and significant. My opinion is this: Omega-3 fatty acids are the single most important nutrient a person can take. I don’t take that position lightly. One of my main goals is to help you understand why this is so important.

Pregnant woman and childThe benefits of omega-3 in fish vs. the toxicity of mercury in fish.
There are confusing and conflicting reports and suggestions about whether pregnant women should avoid fish because of the mercury contamination. Mercury is a toxic chemical that affects brain and intelligence. There have been warning to pregnant women not to consume fish. Now there is conflicting advice suggesting that pregnant women should eat some fish every week for the omega-3 oils. There is evidence that omega-3 can increase the intelligence of the fetus. What’s a woman to do? Dr. Shunney discusses this dilemma and puts the controversy into context. The benefits of omega-3 vastly out weigh the problems associated with mercury. The bottom line is that omega-3 is so important that pregnant women should consume a modest but regular consumption of fish.

How to get pure omega-3
Women do not have to eat fish to get omega-3 fatty acids. You can take fish oil. Be sure to get a good quality of fish oil. A good quality fish oil should not smell or taste fishy. If it does it is not a good quality. This is important because when fish oil goes bad and you take it, you are consuming an oil that is now filled with rancid free radicals that are not good for you. Do not skimp on your fish oil.

About Dr. Aimee Shunney
Dr. Aimée Gould Shunney, Naturopathic Physician, sees patients in Santa Cruz and Campbell, CA, where she specializes in women’s health and family medicine. She blends conventional medical diagnosis and treatment with the use of natural therapeutics including dietary and lifestyle counseling, nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and bio-identical hormones. She is also available for phone consultations. 

Learn More
We have many interviews on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from some of the most important experts, doctors and researchers in the natural products industry. You should listen to these interviews. When you do, you will understand why I consider omega-3 to be the most important nutrient. There is NOTHING else that will fulfill your need for this nutrient. Without out a proper omega-3/omega-6 balance, you will never get inflammatory issues resolved. This is my personal opinion and not so stated by Dr. Shunney. CLICK HERE to see our list of omega-3 podcasts.

Nordic Naturals

 

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