Milk and eggs have earned their place in the American diet because they're good sources of calcium and protein, respectively. These days, some brands are also being touted as a good source of another nutrient: omega-3s.
Omega-3 fatty acids are in demand because of their proven beneficial effects on heart health. The Institute of Medicine, which advises the government on health issues, recommends 1,100 milligrams of omega-3s per day for women and 1,600 mg for men.
Two types of omega-3s — docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA) — have been shown in rigorous, large-scale studies to slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries, lower triglycerides in the blood, and reduce the risk of irregular heartbeat and of cardiac events in people who have already suffered a heart attack.
A third type of omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), may be beneficial for heart health too, though it hasn't been studied as extensively. Found in canola and soybean oils, ALA is already abundant in the American diet. In the body, about 5% of it gets converted into DHA and EPA.
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