Omega-3 is called an essential fatty acid due to the fact that the the physiology of humans makes us incapable of manufacturing the fats. This means that we are required to supplement omega-3 through supplements or diet. Omega-3 fats consist of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Both EPA and DHA are typically found in fatty fish like salmon. On the other hand, ALA is most often found in plant sources (instead of animals), like flaxseed and soybeans. Because alpha-linolenic acid is derived from plant sources, such as flax, vegetarians often exclusively use flax seed oil as a source of omega-3 fats even though it doesn't contain within it any DHA or EPA whatsoever. The human body is able to convert alpha-linolenic acid into eicosapentaenoic acid then, subsequently, into DHA, but this conversion process is altogether very inefficient. This is partly because the protein that converts alpha-linolenic acid into EPA is rate limiting, because of the fact that the same enzyme also binds to omega-6 fatty acids (thus, the problem is even worse if your diet is high in omega-6 fats).
In fact, several research studies have shown that this conversion process is so inefficient that only 5% of ALA is converted into eicosapentaenoic acid and only 0.5% of alpha-linolenic acid finally makes docosahexaenoic acid. What does all of this mean? That most vegans or vegetarians who think they are getting the necessary quantities of DHA and EPA from flax seed oil, are actually deficient in both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acids. You might ask why isn't ALA enough to satisfy the daily requirement? Actually, there most essential omega-3 fats are EPA and DHA and most of the necessary functions are done by EPA and DHA.
Here's where the good news comes (for vegans). There is another vegetarian source of omega-3, called microalgae, which has a super high percentage composition of both EPA and DHA omega-3. What is microalgal oil and why is it a good vegetarian source of omega-3? Microalgae are microscopic algae that live in both marine and freshwater. While fish oil is already widely known for containing an unusually high content of EPA and DHA omega-3 fats, fish don't actually create the omega-3 fats themselves. Fish eat microalgae, which have a the ability to produce large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, then store the eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in their adipose, and this is the real reason why fish oil is so high in omega-3 fatty acids. Microalgae are also the most sustainable source of EPA and DHA when compared to fish oil. This is because they've got 5 times more biomass than land plants and as much as 40 percent of that is oil. Microalgae sources of omega-3 are the future supply of omega-3 fats.
Microalgal Oil that's abundant in DHA is now commercially available on the market, whereas, microalgae oil that is high in eicosapentaenoic acid is still limited. The very best vegan supplements that have EPA come from the algae, Spirulina. DHA-algal oil is obviously a far superior source of DHA, when compared to flaxseed oil. This is because flax seed derived alpha-linolenic acid needs to go through two inefficient enzymatic steps to become docosahexaenoic acid, whereas, microalgal derived docosahexaenoic acid does not need to go through any whatsoever. It has also already been proven through documented research that algal supplements are able to raise in vivo levels of EPA and DHA. This was scientifically demonstrated by one study where vegetarians with deficient levels of omega-3, supplemented with a single gram of microalgal daily for 8 weeks, and were able to significantly increase both their levels of both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid(Lipids 40 (8): 807-814). This is clear evidence that algae oil is an far superior vegetarian source of omega-3.
It is very well documented that DHA derived from fish oil is very good for the heart. Likewise, DHA derived from microalgae oil has the same cardiovascular benefits. For example, vegetarians that took only 1 gram of microalgal DHA daily for 8 weeks, reduced their triglyceride levels by 23% (The British Journal of Nutrition 95 (4): 779-786). So there you have it, algae oil is a far superior source of DHA and EPA and has very similar health benefits as the omega-3 from fish oil! These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not medical advice, if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician.
In fact, several research studies have shown that this conversion process is so inefficient that only 5% of ALA is converted into eicosapentaenoic acid and only 0.5% of alpha-linolenic acid finally makes docosahexaenoic acid. What does all of this mean? That most vegans or vegetarians who think they are getting the necessary quantities of DHA and EPA from flax seed oil, are actually deficient in both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acids. You might ask why isn't ALA enough to satisfy the daily requirement? Actually, there most essential omega-3 fats are EPA and DHA and most of the necessary functions are done by EPA and DHA.
Here's where the good news comes (for vegans). There is another vegetarian source of omega-3, called microalgae, which has a super high percentage composition of both EPA and DHA omega-3. What is microalgal oil and why is it a good vegetarian source of omega-3? Microalgae are microscopic algae that live in both marine and freshwater. While fish oil is already widely known for containing an unusually high content of EPA and DHA omega-3 fats, fish don't actually create the omega-3 fats themselves. Fish eat microalgae, which have a the ability to produce large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, then store the eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in their adipose, and this is the real reason why fish oil is so high in omega-3 fatty acids. Microalgae are also the most sustainable source of EPA and DHA when compared to fish oil. This is because they've got 5 times more biomass than land plants and as much as 40 percent of that is oil. Microalgae sources of omega-3 are the future supply of omega-3 fats.
Microalgal Oil that's abundant in DHA is now commercially available on the market, whereas, microalgae oil that is high in eicosapentaenoic acid is still limited. The very best vegan supplements that have EPA come from the algae, Spirulina. DHA-algal oil is obviously a far superior source of DHA, when compared to flaxseed oil. This is because flax seed derived alpha-linolenic acid needs to go through two inefficient enzymatic steps to become docosahexaenoic acid, whereas, microalgal derived docosahexaenoic acid does not need to go through any whatsoever. It has also already been proven through documented research that algal supplements are able to raise in vivo levels of EPA and DHA. This was scientifically demonstrated by one study where vegetarians with deficient levels of omega-3, supplemented with a single gram of microalgal daily for 8 weeks, and were able to significantly increase both their levels of both eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid(Lipids 40 (8): 807-814). This is clear evidence that algae oil is an far superior vegetarian source of omega-3.
It is very well documented that DHA derived from fish oil is very good for the heart. Likewise, DHA derived from microalgae oil has the same cardiovascular benefits. For example, vegetarians that took only 1 gram of microalgal DHA daily for 8 weeks, reduced their triglyceride levels by 23% (The British Journal of Nutrition 95 (4): 779-786). So there you have it, algae oil is a far superior source of DHA and EPA and has very similar health benefits as the omega-3 from fish oil! These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not medical advice, if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician.
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