WE HAVE ALL HEARD about the importance of healthy fats. The old "eat fat, gain fat" paradigm is giving way to a new, more nuanced understanding of dietary fat. The evidence is in: Some fats are essential for optimal health. And the king of the good fats are the omega-3s. Unfortunately, approximately 99 percent of Americans are deficient in these critical fats. In my recent appearance on the Dr. Oz Show my friend Mehmet and I discussed how critical these fats are for optimal health, protect you from heart disease, and explained how they can reduce inflammation and help treat wide variety of chronic ailments. We also discussed a new self-test currently available that allows you to find out for yourself whether or not you need more omega-3s. Here I will provide you more information on the importance of omega-3 fats, outline how you can get the self-test we discussed on the show, and provide you with a way to purchase a high-quality fish oil supplement that will help you optimize your levels safely.

Why Omega-3 Fats are Important

Simply put these extraordinary fats affect every part of your biochemistry. They control gene function, regulate your immune system, impact the speed and efficacy of your metabolism, and they are a vital component of the cell membrane that covers every one of the 100 trillion cells in your body. This means when you don't get enough omega-3 fats, messages can't be properly communicate from one cell to another. If you’re not getting enough omega-3s, your body — including your brain — just can’t work to its optimum potential! Learn more about the importance of omega-3 fats and how they can impact your brain, body, and even your behavior in this blog.

Dietary Sources for Omega-3 Fats

Today the only real sources of omega-3 fats are:

• Wild fish and game
• Grass-fed and finished animals and animal products
• Seaweed
• Algae
• Omega-3 eggs

Finding a High-quality Fish Oil Supplement

The limited sources for omega-3 fats and the fact that most Americans don't eat enough foods that contain them leads me to recommend a high-quality fish oil supplement as part of a daily workhorse team of vitamins and minerals needed to help you optimize your health. However, finding a quality fish oil is key. You want to locate something that is free of mercury and other contaminants. Look for reputable companies that certify their products are free from heavy metals and pesticides. I typically recommend taking 1000 mg of fish oil twice a day. The fish oil you take should contain. a 300/200 ratio of EPA/DHA. There are some good sources of fish oil on the market. For more information see The Healthy Living Store.

Get Tested for Omega-3 Deficiency

Even if you are currently eating a diet filled with omega-3s and you are taking a fish oil supplement, it's possible you still aren't getting enough of these critical fats. Not everyone absorbs omega-3s equally. A new easy, affordable home test developed by a leading cardiologist allows you to determine whether or not your omega-3 levels are optimal via a simple finger prick. Learn more about the test. Please leave your thoughts by adding a comment below – but remember, we can’t offer personal medical advice online, so be sure to limit your comments to those about taking back our health!