Omega 3 Acid - Known to Be of Great Importance to Human Health
An omega 3 acid could be Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, Docosapentaenoic or alpha-linolenic.
There are others, too.
But, those four are known to be of great importance to human health.
One of them seems to be more important than all of the others, combined.
Alpha-linolenic or ALA is found in vegetable oils.
It is the shortest of the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
The body can, if it must, convert some ALA into the longer-chained PUFAs.
In the case of a strict vegetarian diet, it must.
But, the conversion process is limited and varies from one person to the other.
At most, only 5% of the ALA in a person's diet will be converted to Docosahexaenoic or DHA, the longest of the long-chained PUFAs.
Little is known about Docosapentaenoic or DPA, although research is currently ongoing.
It is found only in fish and wildlife that lives in very cold environments.
It is a major component of seal oil and is believed to contribute to the overall cardiovascular health of the Eskimos.
Eicosapentaenoic or EPA is found in oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel.
It is also one of the many nutrients in human breast milk, but not found in cow's milk or soy milk.
In order for the body to convert ALA to DHA, it uses EPA omega 3 acid as an intermediary.
But, since the body needs EPA, too, the amount that ends up as DHA is likely to be very small.
EPA reduces inflammation in the body.
There are many medical conditions for which it is known to be beneficial, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
The nutrient is essential for normal brain function and has proven benefits in disorders like schizophrenia.
When combined with DHA omega 3 acid, it is beneficial for depression, as well.
Research indicates that diets rich in EPA reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer.
DHA is believed to be the most important of all the omega 3s.
It is known to be essential for normal brain development prior to birth and in early childhood.
Like EPA, it is found only in oily fish and some types of seafood.
It may be present in wild game and fowl, although those foods have never been evaluated, since they are not major components of the typical modern diet.
A daily fish oil supplement can meet your body's needs for DHA and EPA.
Some brands contain DPA omega 3 acid, as well.
You will need to read the label or view the manufacturer's website in order to determine which of the omega-3s are present in the supplement and at what concentration.
It is important to find out what standards the manufacturer has for purity and freshness.
You can find out if the supplement has been evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity, as well.
Those are things that the better supplement manufacturers talk about on their websites.
Supplements derived from flax seed contain only ALA omega3 acid.
You need some ALA, but you really don't need to pay for a flax seed supplement to get it.
If you're like most people, you do need fish oil.
There are others, too.
But, those four are known to be of great importance to human health.
One of them seems to be more important than all of the others, combined.
Alpha-linolenic or ALA is found in vegetable oils.
It is the shortest of the long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
The body can, if it must, convert some ALA into the longer-chained PUFAs.
In the case of a strict vegetarian diet, it must.
But, the conversion process is limited and varies from one person to the other.
At most, only 5% of the ALA in a person's diet will be converted to Docosahexaenoic or DHA, the longest of the long-chained PUFAs.
Little is known about Docosapentaenoic or DPA, although research is currently ongoing.
It is found only in fish and wildlife that lives in very cold environments.
It is a major component of seal oil and is believed to contribute to the overall cardiovascular health of the Eskimos.
Eicosapentaenoic or EPA is found in oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel.
It is also one of the many nutrients in human breast milk, but not found in cow's milk or soy milk.
In order for the body to convert ALA to DHA, it uses EPA omega 3 acid as an intermediary.
But, since the body needs EPA, too, the amount that ends up as DHA is likely to be very small.
EPA reduces inflammation in the body.
There are many medical conditions for which it is known to be beneficial, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
The nutrient is essential for normal brain function and has proven benefits in disorders like schizophrenia.
When combined with DHA omega 3 acid, it is beneficial for depression, as well.
Research indicates that diets rich in EPA reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer.
DHA is believed to be the most important of all the omega 3s.
It is known to be essential for normal brain development prior to birth and in early childhood.
Like EPA, it is found only in oily fish and some types of seafood.
It may be present in wild game and fowl, although those foods have never been evaluated, since they are not major components of the typical modern diet.
A daily fish oil supplement can meet your body's needs for DHA and EPA.
Some brands contain DPA omega 3 acid, as well.
You will need to read the label or view the manufacturer's website in order to determine which of the omega-3s are present in the supplement and at what concentration.
It is important to find out what standards the manufacturer has for purity and freshness.
You can find out if the supplement has been evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity, as well.
Those are things that the better supplement manufacturers talk about on their websites.
Supplements derived from flax seed contain only ALA omega3 acid.
You need some ALA, but you really don't need to pay for a flax seed supplement to get it.
If you're like most people, you do need fish oil.