Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types of fat that the body derives from food.Omega-3s are termed essential fatty acids (EFAs) because they are critical for good health. However, the body cannot make them on its own. For this reason, omega-3s must be obtained from food, thus making outside sources of these fats “essential and may reduce the risk the heart disease, improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and be useful in the prevention and treatment of many other diseases. Good food sources are found in certain fish tissues, and in vegetable sources such as flax seeds, walnuts, and canola oil.
