Omega 3 Deficiency Symptoms

There are some Omega 3 deficiency symptoms to be aware of, and you would do well to take steps to correct the problems that arise if you don't get enough of this amazing nutrient in your body. Omega 3 is a fatty acid that your body needs to function properly, and not getting enough of this acid can cause a number of problems. If you aren't getting enough of the acids, you may end up with one of the following Omega 3 deficiency symptoms:

Skin Problems

When you don't get enough Omega 3 in your body, you can expect to have dry skin, dry hair, and fingernails that are either very soft or very brittle. You may find that your skin has some rough spots on it, and you may even get little bumps that look like chicken bumps on the back of your legs and upper arms. You may find that you get skin allergies, such as eczema, your scalp may be covered in dandruff, and your eyes may be dry. All these things are caused by insufficient Omega 3, so you would do well to take steps to get enough of this fatty acid and correct this problem.

Focus Problems

If you are not getting enough of this essential fatty acid, your brain isn't being fed the fuel it needs to produce all of the important neurochemicals it needs to function properly. You may find that you have a hard time concentrating, and your mind may wander more than it should. People with Omega 3 deficiency symptoms often find that they are very hyperactive, and many of them actually develop attention deficits that can lead to ADD or ADHD. Be very wary of these things and try to increase your fish oil intake to prevent them from getting worse.

Energy Problems

Many people find that they are sorely lacking energy if they don't get enough Omega 3 in their body, and this is due to the fact that the blood isn't circulating properly. Not enough blood means that not enough oxygen is reaching all the organs and the muscles, which causes fatigue. Those that don't get enough of the Omega 3 will also be at risk of insomnia or just poor quality of sleep, and this is caused by similar problems.

Emotional Problems

Emotional problems are caused by the brains under-production of the neurochemicals that are required by the emotion centre of the brain, the hypothalamus. If the hypothalamus isn't fed the right chemicals, you may experience a lot of anxiety, depression, and irritability. Many of the people who don't get enough of the essential fatty acids often end up suffering from strong mood swings, as well as a short fuse when it comes to tolerating frustrations. Many of these people end up with wild emotional outbursts because they have no way to control their temper or emotions.

Swelling Problems

Inflammation is one of the main problems that accompany Omega 3 deficiency symptoms, and you may find that there are a number of inflammation problems that can be very serious. One such problem is joint pain, which is caused by the inflammation of the joints due to arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. Omega 3 helps to fight off this inflammation, but without it there is nothing that the body can do to prevent it. Those with other joint problems can take the supplement to help cure their pains, but not taking it may mean that the pains are much stronger.

These are just a few things that you can expect if your body doesn't get enough of these essential fatty acids, so it is important that you consume as much Omega 3 as is healthy for your body.