There have been some quite significant health discoveries in the last 50 years. Perhaps one of the most significant of these health discoveries is that virtually all of us lack sufficient amounts of the essential fatty acids known as the omega 3 fats. These include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), ALA (alpha linolenic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Of these 3 it is generally considered that DHA is the most important of the omega 3 essential fats. DHA comprises a large proportion of our brain and is very important to good health, as is EPA.
Unfortunately over the last hundred years our diets have changed and we are now eating less and less of the main source of DHA and EPA, namely seafood and in particular oily fish. For this reason it is now generally considered that most of us are deficient in these 2 important nutrients and that this deficiency can lead to a wide range of risks for poor health, and that increasing our intake of both these essential fats can help guard against various health conditions.
But what is ALA Omega 3 fat? DHA and EPA are found in marine sources and in particular oily fish. ALA is an omega 3 fatty acid that is found only in plant based sources. It is not present in fish, and anyone taking fish oil supplements is not getting any ALA in their supplements.
But even so many people are taking vegetarian Omega 3 supplements and in particular flaxseed oil capsules. Because these supplements source their omega 3 fats from plants they are getting ALA Omega 3 fat in their diet. So are people taking these supplements getting sufficient of the omega 3 fatty acids?
The answer to that question is no. Whilst it is true that ALA can be converted into DHA and EPA in the body the conversion rate is very low. And the less healthy amongst us convert it more poorly. Unfortunately DHA and EPA are the most important essential fatty acids.
So taking a vegetarian Omega 3 supplement may have some benefit, but not nearly as much as taking fish oil supplements.
So if this is the case why are people taking flax seed oil supplements containing ALA? It’s because, as vegetarians, they are reluctant to take any form of nutrients coming from a fish-based source, so are unable to take fish oil capsules.
But many people taking flax seed oil supplements are unaware that taking the supplements does not provide them with sufficient Omega3 essential fatty acids and does little to increase their store of DHA and EPA.
The most important factor is that virtually everyone has low levels of the omega 3 fats DHA and EPA. It is DHA and EPA that are most important to good health and anyone taking vegetarian flaxseed oil capsules is not sufficiently compensating for this problem.
To find out more about the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA and in particular about where to source high quality fish oil supplements containing these fats visit my website.

























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