Our bodies are able to create most of the fatty acids we need to function, except for what are referred to “essential” fatty acids – which we need in order to function normally. Because we need them but can’t make them, it’s “essential” that we supply them in our diet or through supplementation.

There are two types of essential fatty acids – omega-3’s and omega 6’s. Most U.S. adults fail to consume foods high in anti-inflammatory omega-3’s on a daily basis (like fatty fish, grass-fed beef, and walnuts), and instead tend to overconsume the pro-inflammatory omega-6’s (like canola oil, vegetable oil, and soybean oil). Ideally, you should be consuming proper amounts of each, so this omega-3:omega-6 imbalance can have a negative effect on inflammation in the body.

Essential fatty acids, especially the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are vital for our bodies to function. They help control inflammation as well as support healthy mood, metabolism, skin, nails, hair, eyes and cardiovascular health—just to name a few benefits!

For those working out several times a week and trying to lose body fat, managing inflammation can be a critical component to achieving success. Workouts are inherently stressful on the body so consuming adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids is even more important.

A simple way to both increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acid and also help counter-balance the excess of omega-6’s in the standard American diet is to supplement with a high-quality omega-3 fish oil.

As with other supplements, when it comes to quality, you get what you pay for. Life Time sources its omega-3 fish oil (both capsules and liquid) from sustainable fisheries off the coast of Chile. We only use oils from small, cold-water anchovy, sardine, and mackerel. It’s molecularly distilled to be sure it’s free of mercury, PCBs, and heavy metals. If your fish oil brand doesn’t name the species of fish it’s sourced from, or it lists larger, predatory species, the quality and purity of the oil could be less than optimal.