Those who constantly struggle to attain or maintain a healthy and attractive weight might want to listen up to this: it turns out that overweight people actually need more omega-3 fatty acids than those people who naturally have an ideal body weight for their health. 

How Does Omega-3 Boost Metabolism? 

Additional benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are that they are essential to proper brain development and functioning. People who supplement with this vital acid can witness drastic improvements to their weight as well as to their overall health, and there is a good reason why. 

What Is Omega-3 Fatty Acid? 

Now is about the time for you to join the bandwagon of people who know what omega-3 fatty acids are and what they do for your body and ability to lose weight. Commonly known as DHA, these essential acids actually influence how your individual genes are signaled and also how they respond to said signal. 

This means that, if you do not have adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you could end up becoming prone to more weight gain despite your best efforts to the contrary. 

Which Foods Contain Omega-3 Fatty Acid to Boost Metabolism? 

Omega-3 fatty acids that boost your metabolism are readily available in many foods.  Fortunately, some of them are likely a regular part of your healthy diet.  That said, if you think you might not be getting enough or if you would like more options so you’re not always relying on the exact same ingredients, the following are some great sources from which to choose. 

•        Fish, particularly cold-water fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel or herring)
•         Seeds and nuts (such as chia seeds, flaxseed and walnuts)
•         Plant oils (such as canola oil, soybean oil and flaxseed oil)
•        Fortified foods that don’t contain it naturally (such as certain egg, dairy, and milk alternative products) 

What About Supplements? 

Since many people are concerned that their everyday diet isn’t providing them with enough omega-3 to boost their metabolism and provide them with other health benefits, supplements have become quite popular.  Supplements come in a spectrum of doses and sources, making a range of claims.  It’s important to talk to your doctor before starting to use one of these products on a regular basis as there is far more to consider than what is written on the bottle.  It’s also important to remember that recommended doses of this fatty acid have not been established in the United States, so claims regarding how much you should get in a day or week are based on opinion.  

How Are Gene Signaling and Weight Loss Connected? 

According to our most comprehensive studies to date, certain genes, after being altered in various ways, can actually work to encourage the storage of unwanted fat. Back in the day, this probably served a purpose for survival, but nowadays we don’t need to be plump to deal with the cold—we have clothes, heat, and modern conveniences. 

Instead, we have to rewire our bodies by giving them the best of the best when it comes to nutrients. In order to use omega-3 fatty acids to lose more weight, you will have to structure a diet that reflects more modern bodily requirements. 

What Does It All Mean? 

When overweight people with fat-storing gene signals overeat, they then become much more likely to hold onto those excess calories in the form of unwanted body fat. Studies are constantly showing how low amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are directly linked to a genetic propensity towards storing fat during times of starvation. 

Modern science does not yet have a hold on exactly why this is, but many experts are speculating that it may be because of the fact that our bodies seem to associate omega-3 fatty acid intake with a lack of starvation. In other words, omega-3 fatty acids tell our brains that it’s okay to burn fat.