If you struggle with the state of your skin, there may be more going on below the surface than you realize. There are a number of minor skin problems that, while on their own may not be bothering you all that much, when combined with other issues can indicate serious vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. In fact, skincare issues often indicate a problem with your levels of omega 3 fatty acid, a deficiency that most Americans have anyway due to cultural dietary habits.

If you have been doing your best to take care of your skin, but just do not seem to be able to get a healthy, vibrant glow, then you might want to take a few seconds to see if any of these issues are contributing factors:

1. Sagging skin
Omega 3 is critical to your skin’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. If you can pinch your skin and it does not immediately return to its original state, then you have a hydration issue. Over time, this can lead to sagging and wrinkles. If you are drinking plenty of water and still have this problem,  then an omega 3 deficiency may be contributing to your skin’s inability to retain water.

2. Dry skin
Dry, flaky skin can be caused by dermatological issues like eczema and psoriasis. These conditions are related to your autoimmune system, and have been shown to improve dramatically when the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in your system escalates.

3. Chronic adult acne or other breakouts
Daily doses of omega 3 decrease your skin’s “irritability.” This means that it is less likely to become inflamed. Shortages of omega 3 can contribute to sensitive skin conditions like acne and other types of breakouts.

If you have noticed any of these symptoms in your own skin but found that they are resistant to treatment, then consider adding a daily omega 3 fish oil supplement to your daily nutritional routine. To learn more about omega 3 fish oil supplements that are highly effective for this type of issue, access www.omega-3.us.

According to a recent joint study by American and Canadian scientists, nearly 90 percent of all children in the United States and Canada may be omega 3 deficient. This is a startling number, particularly given that in children omega 3 plays a critical role in brain development, autoimmune development and eye sight. In addition, it is thought to impact the emotional state of some people as well.

As you can see from the results of this study, it is actually pretty safe to assume that if you live in the US or Canada, then your child probably is not getting enough omega 3. However, if you do not want to rely on the study alone, here are some indicators that your child may not be getting enough of this vital nutrient in their daily diet:

* They are easily distracted
Omega 3 deficiencies often lead to trouble with focus. In fact, many children who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD actually are suffering from severe omega 3 shortages in their systems. Of course, all children are fairly easy to distract, so you might want to consult with a dietician or observe your child in conjunction with other children to determine if there is an actual problem.

* Chronic breathing problems or headaches
Omega 3 deficiencies often manifest themselves in minor health issues, including asthma, headaches, stomach aches, ear infections and skin conditions. While all children will experience some of these issues over the course of their childhood, if you feel that the occurrences are too frequent, ask a doctor about a pediatric omega 3 supplement.

* Behavioral problems at school
Often the minor health issues and the focus issues detailed above manifest themselves in an extremely practical symptom: the child gets in regular trouble at school. Of course good behavior should be a requirement, but if your child appears to be misbehaving chronically, then it might be worth considering that there could be a nutritional issue at the heart of the matter.

Learn more about fish oil, fish oil health benefits and how it can impact your child’s health and yours at www.omega-3-us.

While there are plenty of reasons to make sure that you have plenty of omega 3 in your diet (resistance to senility, heart health and avoiding clinical depression are just a few of them), you may not have fully made the move yet from thinking about taking an omega 3 fish oil supplement to actually doing it. After all, humans are creatures of habit, and we generally do not change our habits unless something happens to cause enough of a stir in our daily lives to warrant it. In fact, many people know that they should take an omega 3 supplement every day, but simply never get around to it.

If you are currently reading and nodding your head, then this article could be just the wakeup call you need. There are some very common symptoms of omega 3 deficiency that many people think are just part of growing older. If you are experiencing any of these telltale signs, then you must consider adding an omega 3 supplement (or a heck of a lot of salmon!) to your daily nutritional intake.

1. Lack of focus
If you notice that it takes you longer than it used to when you are trying to get things done, then a lack of omega 3 may be at the root of the problem. In fact, many children and adults use omega 3 to help them manage their ADD or ADHD.

2. Memory lapses
As we age, our reference memory – the part of your memory that recalls fact, names, faces and places – deteriorates. The information is still there, but it is harder to find. Omega 3 has been proven to improve memory and recall, which not only makes life much easier, but it can also dramatically decrease stress levels at work and home.

3. Sagging skin
Your skin is one of the best places to start when you are looking for signs of omega 3 trouble. Skin that is healthy and covering a body with enough omega 3 will be firm and resilient. However, if you are not getting enough omega 3, even when you are fully hydrated you will notice sagging and  your skin will not immediately spring back into place when pinched.

To learn more about fish oil, omega 3 and how to repair any omega 3 deficiencies, as well as omega 3 benefits access www.omega-3.us.

If you follow dieting trends at all, then you are probably aware of the many fish-based diets out there. These diets are promoted as both heart healthy and a great way to lose weight. In addition, they are viewed by many as a solution to a nutritional problem: a shortage of omega 3. However, if you are considering adopting some of the more extreme versions out there (such as some version of the Inuit’s cultural diets which consist nearly entirely of fatty fish like tuna and mackerel) then you may want to think again. While it’s a great source of omega 3, the accompanying increase in mercury levels could make you more susceptible to strokes and heart attacks.

In an October 2009 study, the Journal of the American Heart Association revealed new finding that indicate that Inuit from Nunavik are highly exposed to environmental mercury because of their diets, which consist mainly of fish1. As a result, thanks to all that mercury they are far more likely than most to suffer strokes and heart attacks due to their high blood pressure.

Now, I know that you are not likely to eat mackerel or tuna – no matter how delicious – for breakfast, lunch and dinner unless you have no other choice. However, the results of this study do bear consideration if you have recently started taking an omega 3 supplement (many of which are made from tuna or mackerel) or if you are attempting to increase the amount of fish in your diet for health reasons. As a result, you may be exposing yourself to some of the same mercury issues.

If you want to avoid the risk of mercury entirely from fish oil, then most of your omega 3 fatty acids should come from Arctic salmon, which are less likely to contain mercury, or from a (WHO) World Health Organization-approved supplement made only from Arctic salmon and guaranteed tested and toxin free. Molecular optimization of your omega 3 supplement will also improve its effectiveness and eliminate other unpleasant side effects associated with fish oil, such as gas, nausea, and fishy body odor.

To learn more about fish oil supplements approved by both the WHO and representatives from the American College of Toxicology, access www.omega-3.us.

1http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/742_mercury_poison_in_country_food_could_lead_to_more_strokes_heart_attacks/

You probably already know that omega 3 fatty acids play a critical role in your health. After all, they are good for your heart and your memory. They can help alleviate or eliminate depression and some forms of ADD and ADHD. They probably prevent strokes and they likely can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. And that does not even take into account the improved muscle condition, easier weight loss, younger-looking skin and decrease in migraine frequency.

However, now there is another benefit to add to the omega 3 fatty acid list: improved liver health. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism released a study this October (2009) in which scientists drew a direct association between lower occurrences of liver disease and reduced liver fat1. Why does this matter? Because omega 3 fatty acids can reduce liver fat.

The study monitored 25 women who were considered already prone to liver disease. The results indicated that omega 3 fatty acids had a beneficial effect on liver fat content. In short, they reduced it. As a result, the women who took the omega 3 supplements were less likely to encounter problems with liver disease because at the end of the study, their livers contained less fat.

It should be noted that this was a small study, and the results, by the scientists’ own admission, require further study. However, the indications of this study are clear, and if you are not already taking an omega 3 supplement for heart health or any of the other myriad benefits of this vital nutrient, then you can add one more thing to the list of reasons that you need to find yourself a good, effective omega 3 fish oil supplements today.

Learn more about how omega 3 can improve your health and learn how to select an omega 3 fish oil supplement that is right for you at www.omega-3.us.

1 http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/94/10/3842