Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that our body needs for proper functioning, just as it needs vitamins and minerals

They are called "essential" in the biochemical sense: our body does not produce them; therefore, they must be incorporated through the food we eat. The interest in Omega-3s was sparkled by research results on Eskimos and other groups living in the Mediterranean shore, which showed extremely low rates of cardiovascular accidents. These groups consume large amounts of fatty fishes. The Japanese also showed infrequently lower rates of cardiac infarcts.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a fundamental part of the cell membrane, and are from a metabolic point of view the starting point for synthesis of many hormone-like action substances, which act by maximizing or inhibiting bodily processes.