Omega-3 is a term already used in a common way in conversations and discussions about health in our days. Can see in the media constantly, and based on reputable scientific research, the great importance of Omega-3 include our daily diet.
From Cardiovascular Disease improve our system to alleviate skin problems, omega fatty acids help our bodies both inside and out. But did you know that not all Omega-3 fatty acids are the same?
Different omega-3
It is necessary to properly evaluate the source of the omega-3 consumed. There are basically 3 types of Omega-3 fatty acids:
- AEP, also known as eicosapentaenoic acid
- AAL, known as acid alpha Linolenic
- ADH, also called Docosahexaenoic acid
Each of these three types of omega-3 is obsorbido by our body so different and unique. These fatty acids come from a variety of different foods and supplements. For example, ALA is derived from flaxseed and dark leafy greens. DHA and EPA, on the other hand, are mainly found in coldwater fish like salmon, tuna, herring and mackerel. The Omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources do not contain EPA, so it is important to make sure we eat Omega-3 from a wide variety of sources.
Flaxseed vs. Fish: Omega-3 the difference
Flaxseed and cold-water fatty fish are usually cited as the most important sources of omega-3. However, the health benefits of these two sources differ significantly.
Flaxseed oil is six times more omega-3 oils than fish, where 55% is ALA. The ALA is converted by the body into EPA and DHA, however, the body does not do a very good job of conversion as expected. In fact, only 10% of converts ALA to EPA and DHA digested. This is significant because the health benefits between the AAL and other oils are very different.
The EPA and DHA (fish) are omega fatty acids associated with mental development, improving mood, reducing hypertension, among others. Furthermore, ALA (from flaxseed and other plant sources) works as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, meaning that fight free radicals, slows the aging process and protects our body against cancer and heart problems.
What this means is that it is very important to get our daily supply of Omega-3 from different and varied sources. You have to get the Omega-3 sources of both fish and flaxseed.
The Prisma Omega-3
Beyond the prominent omega-3 fatty acids, there are also Omega-6 and Omega-9. Again, not all Omegas are equal, and the 6’s and 9’s provide different health benefits. For example, contains omega-6 GLA which is beneficial for cardiovascular health and nervous system, as for the elasticity of the skin.
The GLA improves circulation and metabolic processes generaly. Omega-9, on the other hand, contain oleic acid, which lowers the risk of heart disease, repair cellular damage, improving neurological health, and improves skin texture.
Given the diverse prism of Omega-3’s, 6’s, and 9’s, it is important that our sources of fatty acids are varied, and so we made sure to enjoy all the benefits essential fatty acids. Since the body can not produce these fatty acids by itself, it is imperative to obtain them from external in our daily diet to maintain and improve our health.
An easy way to make sure the required dose of Omega-3 fatty acids is the use of a good dietary supplement which is contains a mixture of omega 3, 6 and 9, both botanical sources and the fish, and in the quantities and appropriate synergies.
