What are Omega-3's?

They are essential nutrients just like the vitamins and minerals as our body cannot make them and they play many critical roles. Omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fat.

The Omega-3 (called ALA) found in plant sourced foods such as canola oil, linseeds and walnuts needs to be converted by the body to the long chain Omega-3s to be used effectively. Unfortunately this conversion is very inefficient so it is desirable to include long chain Omega-3s in the diet as well. These are found in oily fish, other fish and seafood and to a lesser extent in meats and eggs. Foods enriched with long chain Omega-3s are beginning to appear in supermarkets. Supplements of fish oil are rich in long chain Omega-3s.

The long chain Omega-3s include DHA, EPA and DPA. Most of the current scientific evidence is on DHA and EPA.

DHA = docosahexaenoic acid - long chain

DPA = docosapentaenoic acid - long chain

EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid - long chain


ALA = alpha-linolenic acid - shorter chain

Omega-3 enriched products appearing in supermarkets