There seems to be a lot of confusion out there as to the best sources of
omega-3 fatty acids. This article will break down the major sources of omega-3’s
and give you the information you need to make educated choices.
First, there are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA, EPA and ALA.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) are found in fish and
ALA (alpha-linolenic acid ) is found in plants like flaxseed. When you choose an
omega-3 source, we suggest that you select a healthy balance of all fatty acids,
but make sure you are getting enough EPA and DHA, as these fatty acids are
responsible for the majority of the health benefits of omega-3’s.
This is important to remember: if a food or supplement states it is high in
omega-3, it does not necessarily mean it is high in EPA and DHA. For example,
although flaxseed oil is six times richer than most fish oils in omega-3’s,
flaxseed oil contains mainly ALA, not DHA and EPA. Unfortunately, our bodies can
only convert ALA into DHA and EPA in very small amounts. Scientific studies have
revealed that fatty acids from fish or fish oil, but not flaxseed oil, benefited
patients with cardiovascular disease and ADHD. More...