Final answer:
The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids include lowering blood pressure, reducing atherosclerosis, and preventing irregular heartbeats. These acids are essential for cardiovascular health, normal growth, development, and balancing the inflammatory effects of omega-6 fatty acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The health benefit of omega-3 fatty acids encompasses all the options listed: they lower blood pressure, reduce atherosclerosis, and prevent irregular heartbeat. Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA are known to lower blood triglycerides, reduce inflammation, and prevent blood clot formation, which are all crucial factors in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Consuming them regularly in the diet, through sources such as fish, shellfish, fish oils, seaweed, and algae, is beneficial as the body's conversion rate of ALA to these beneficial omega-3s is limited. Moreover, they are important for normal growth and development, particularly in infants for brain and eye development.
In contrast to omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote functions associated with disease when elevated, omega-3 fatty acids derived eicosanoids tend to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and blood clotting, offering heart health benefits. Hence, balancing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is important in mitigating the effects of omega-6 fatty acids. Furthermore, polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3s are essential for brain function, normal growth and development, and may aid in preventing heart disease and cancer.