What Are ALA Omega 3 Fatty Acids, And Are They Good For You?

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).

DHA is generally considered to be the most important of the Omega 3 essential fatty acids. This makes up a large proportion of our brain and is essential to good health. EPA is also very important to good health.

But sadly over the last century our diets have changed and in particular we are now eating much less fish, and as seafood is the primary source of EPA and DHA we are now mostly deficient in these 2 important nutrients called omega 3 essential fatty acids. And if we increase our intake of these we can protect ourselves from some health problems.

But what is ALA omega 3 fatty acid, and where does it come from? ALA Omega 3 is a plant-based form of essential fatty acid. It is not found in seafood and anyone taking fish oil supplements will not be getting ALA in their diet from that source.

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?

Sadly the answer is in the negative. DHA and EPA are the most important Omega 3 fats. ALA, whilst being important, is primarily so because the body can convert it into DHA and EPA, but the evidence shows that it is converted at a very low rate. And in particular those of us who are less healthy convert it at a poorer rate.

So vegetarians who take flaxseed oil capsules are getting limited benefits compared to those who are taking fish oil capsules.

So why would anyone consider taking ALA omega 3 supplements? The answer what we said before. There are many people who are vegetarian who will not be able to eat fish and who will also not be able to consume anything from a fish-based source, namely fish oil supplements.

But most people who take ALA omega 3 flaxseed oil supplements don’t realise that they are not getting sufficient Omega3 essential fatty acids and that they aren’t really increasing their levels of DHA and EPA significantly.

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.

If you are interested in learning more about the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA and in particular about high quality fish oils supplements then please get over to my website.