Healthy bones lead to healthy lives and we must maintain them. There is no rocket science in maintaining strong and healthy bones, the only thing we need to do is consume a nutritious diet and ensure optimum physical activity. The reason why we are talking about healthy bones is that when they become weak, even a slight impact could break them, and fixing that condition might require the use of orthopedic instruments and implants. The best way to avoid such a condition is by adding essential nutrients to your plate. They help in naturally building bone tissues and ensure the proper binding of minerals to bones. One of the most important requirements to maintain strong & healthy bones is omega-3 fatty acids.
In this article, we will see how omega-3 fatty acids help maintain bone health and reduce the chances of osteoporosis. But before we move ahead, let us have a brief look at what fatty acids are.
Essential Fatty Acids – An Overview
Our body needs certain fatty acids to complete several biological processes, but those fatty acids cannot be synthesized in our body. Such fatty acids are known as essential fatty acids and their body requirement must be met through our diet. If the body lacks optimum levels of essential fatty acids, the person may experience certain complications. So, to avoid this, it is important to add them to the diet. Omega 3 is also an essential fatty acid.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids like Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important for our body and they are admired for having the ability to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. If we talk about the mode of action of these fatty acids, then it is the production of resolvins and protectins, the anti-inflammatory compounds.
How do Omega 3 Fatty Acids work?
The working of omega-3 fatty acids is by stopping the inflammatory signaling that results in the activation of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are specialized cells that result in the breakdown of bones. The normal function of these specialized cells is to remove brittle and old bones but in chronic conditions, osteoclasts are known to work overtime. Along with the breakdown of bones, they are known to delay the process of new bone formation.
Now, what happens when you take an omega 3-rich diet, these fatty acids not only stop the activation of osteoclasts, but they also increase the production of osteoblasts, bone-forming cells. Thus, in this way, new bone formation takes place at a good pace while ensuring strong and healthy bones.
Working of Omega 3s in the Formation of Bones
Bone marrow has mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that can be transformed either into bone-forming cells or fat cells. To form new bones, it is important for MSCs to get transformed into osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), and for that, our diet must have good amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids produce special compounds that help MSCs to develop into osteoblasts.
So, if the level of omega 3s and omega 6s are optimum in our body, the chances are high that fat cells will be produced in fewer amounts than bone-forming cells. Remember, that a proper balance of omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids in our body are a must.
A diet rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids is a must for maintaining healthy bones and the reason is well explained in this post. If bones are not healthy, even a slight fall could make them prone to get fractured, and to fix that trauma implants may be required. Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is a manufacturer of trauma implants in India that meets international quality standards. The company also looking to supply Orthopedic Implants in Argentina.
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