Omega 9 fatty acids belong to a nutrient-rich group of unsaturated fats that are primarily present in plant and animal-based sources of nutrition. They belong to the infamous group of Omega 3-6-9 and are an essential part of our everyday nutrition. Omega 9 fatty acids are also referred to as oleic acid and are generally found in food sources such as mustard oil, nuts, canola oil, and safflower oil.
One of the main factors that set apart Omega 9 fatty acids from Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids is that they can be synthesised by the body on their own, which means that you do need to consume additional supplements to meet the recommended daily intake for these nutrients.
Omega 9 fatty acids are also monounsaturated in nature. They occur in only a single double bond and have a lot of essential functions such as improving insulin sensitivity, increasing the body’s anti-inflammatory responses, etc.
Let us understand more about Omega 9 fatty acids and how consuming them can be beneficial for the body.
Omega 9 Reduces The Risk Of Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the most common health complications among older people. It primarily occurs due to high blood pressure, increased LDL or triglyceride count in the body. These factors can often manifest themselves in other forms such as the buildup of plaque within the arteries, which restricts the proper flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
A prolonged blockage of the artery can also result in further complications such as heart strokes and angioplasty. One of the primary omega 9 benefits is that it helps reduce the bad cholesterol levels in the body while improving blood flow.
You can avail these omega 9 benefits by consuming rich sources such as canola oil, which is completely free from trans fats and high in monounsaturated fats. You can infuse this oil in your daily cooking, along with other Omega 9 sources such as almonds and avocados.
Another essential omega 9 benefits for the heart is that it also eliminates the presence of free radicals within the body. This reduces the oxidative stress exerted on internal organs such as the heart and prevents the development of unwanted health complications.
Omega 9 Helps In Regulating Energy
One of the lesser-known omega capsule uses is that it helps towards the proper regulation of energy levels throughout the day by monitoring your blood glucose levels and preventing any unwanted insulin spikes. Gradually swapping out your consumption of saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated fatty acids such as Omega 9 can also result in better physical performance and utilization of energy.
Another omega capsule uses is that it helps monitor your mood. Consuming foods rich in Omega 9 fatty acids was shown to have a significant impact on controlling negative emotions such as anger. Additionally, it was also shown to signal the release of feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin to counter the release of stress-inducing hormones such as cortisol, causing an overall better mood and energy levels.
Omega 9 Helps In Preventing Alzheimer’s
An essential omega capsule uses is that sources like mustard oil which contain high levels of Erucic acid can help with increasing the concentration of long-chain fatty acids within the brain. This can be beneficial for patients who have been diagnosed with ALD, a genetic disorder that affects the functioning of the adrenal gland, the spinal cord, and the nervous system as a whole. The consumption of omega 9 fatty acids in such cases has also been shown to have positive responses on overall cognitive function and improving memory loss.
Omega 9 fatty acids are also useful for reducing the oxidative stress exerted by the body onto the brain. This can be useful in stimulating proper blood flow and improving the concentration levels of oxygen within the brain – both of which are useful for preventing the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s in the long run.
Omega 9 Helps In Maintaining Healthy Skin
The consumption of Omega 9 foods can be useful in maintaining a healthy moisture level within the body. This helps build a protective barrier on the skin which locks in all the moisture and prevents the unwanted loss of water. Apart from preventing skin complications such as dryness and patchy skin, this is also beneficial in improving skin elasticity and reducing the signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
The consumption of Omega 3 Omega 6 Omega 9 foods can also be useful in aiding the synthesis of collagen, a protein on which the skin is based on. This can help the flow of blood to skin cells and give your skin a healthy and glowing appearance.
Precautions While Consuming Omega 9 Fatty Acids
While food sources such as mustard oil are a rich source of Omega 9 fatty acids, they can have certain allergic reactions to your body. Always make sure to consult with a medical health practitioner before experimenting with any forms of nutritional supplementation. It is also advised that you stay away from nutritional supplements such as fish oil in case you are pregnant or suffer from diabetes.
These conditions put you at a higher risk of developing health complications and the introduction of new supplements can trigger unprecedented responses from the body. Certain omega groups such as the GLA can also interfere with preexisting medication for brain-related disorders, making them incompatible for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Conclusion
It is important that you maintain the right nutritional balance between the consumption of omega fats. Consuming too much of Omega 6 while being low on Omega 3, for instance, can cause a decreased functioning of the digestive system. You can also consider supplementation of Omega 3 Omega 6 Omega 9 along with a balanced healthy diet for optimal health results.
