How Omega-3 Foods Can Help You Be a Better Athlete

Contributor: Katherine Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD

Chances are, you’ve heard about omega-3 fatty acids and the fact that they are an important part of a healthy diet. Whether you’ve heard them talked about in the news or have seen them listed as an ingredient in your breakfast cereal, omega-3s continue to be of interest to people interested in healthy eating, thanks to a plethora of research that touts their nutritional benefits.

Athletes should know that a key benefit of omega-3 fatty acids is their ability to battle inflammation. Exercise is a form of good stress on our bodies. But exercise also results in the production of inflammatory substances called free radicals, which can damage your body’s cells.

Omega-3 fatty acids help by counteracting inflammation and reducing joint pain and tenderness associated with arthritis. They also help to keep the lining of your arteries smooth and clear, which allows the maximal amount of oxygen-rich blood to reach your working muscles.

If you still question if it is worthwhile to incorporate omega-3 fats into your diet, the answer is yes. Omega-3 fatty acids are part of the polyunsaturated fat family. They are essential fats, which means our bodies cannot manufacture them, so we must obtain them through our diet.

Types of omega-3 fats

There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids, which come from different dietary sources. Let’s take a look at these types and sources and how much you should have to potentially help you.

Two types are commonly abbreviated EPA and DHA. The best dietary sources of EPA and DHA are fish.

Certain fish are richer in EPA and DHA than others. Salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, bluefin tuna and albacore tuna are excellent sources of omega-3 fats.

Don’t like fish? Try fish oil supplements as an alternative.

The third kind of omega-3 fat is ALA, which is found in plants. ALA is converted to EPA and DHA in your body, so it needs to be consumed in higher amounts to receive the same benefits as when you eat fish. ALA is in flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil and soy.

You can meet your daily omega-3 fat needs by:

• Eating at least 3 ounces of omega-3-rich fish twice a week. After a strenuous workout, choose it as part of your post-workout recovery meal.
• Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily to your hot cereal or smoothie.
• Add 1 ounce of walnuts to a salad and yogurt or eat alone as a snack.
  • Take a daily fish oil supplement that contains 600 to 1,000 milligrams EPA and DHA.