12 Toxic Lies the Food Industry Keeps Telling You in 2023
#11. Omega-3 supplements are magical
We’ve already talked about how some fats are healthier than others. Some foods like fish are naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is particularly beneficial for heart health, immunity and digestion.
Another great type of fat is the alpha-linolenic acid, naturally found in flaxseed, nuts, leafy greens and most vegetable oils. However, meeting your daily requirements through such foods may be hard or impossible especially if you’re also allergic or intolerant to such foods.
The food industry saw the problem and started providing solutions.
According to Harvard Health, more than 10% of adults in our country take omega-3 supplements regularly. Our fascination with omega-3 fatty acids as consumers also made manufacturers fortify common foods with this nutrient; now you can find juice, cereal and even salad dressing with added omega-3.
However, this 2018 study proved that omega-3 supplements aren’t nearly as effective at preventing heart disease as eating foods naturally rich in this ingredient.
Another study that you can find here looked into the real benefits of omega 3 supplementation in terms of cardiovascular health. Although these supplements have reduced heart attack risks by almost 30% in patients diagnosed with high risk of heart disease, they didn’t really reduce the long-term risks of other health problems.
In short, these products aren’t nearly as magical or revolutionary as they’re advertised to be.
