The human body requires certain vitamins and minerals to function properly. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, the body requires certain dietary fats. Omega-3 fats are known as essential fats because they are necessary for proper function and cannot be made by the body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and some plant and nut oils. Flaxseed oil and fish oil are both sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Types
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, dietary fat intake should come from unsaturated sources, including polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Nuts, vegetable oils and fish are sources of unsaturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the body. There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, and alpha-linolenic acid or ALA. Experts at the Mayo Clinic website say fish oil contains DHA and EPA, while flaxseed oil contains ALA. The University of Maryland Medical Center says EPA and DHA are found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines, tuna and herring, while ALA is found in flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybeans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil, purslane, perilla seed oil, walnuts and walnut oil.
Fish Oil
The Harvard School of Public Health says fish oil contains EPA and DHA; these omega-3 fatty acids are sometimes referred to as marine omega-3's. Good sources of fish oil include salmon, tuna and halibut. Fish oil is also available in supplement form.
Flaxseed Oil
Generally speaking, ALA is the plant form of omega-3 fatty acids; it is the most common form of omega-3 in the human diet. ALA is found in flaxseed oil and other plant oils and nuts. The Harvard School of Public Health says the human body uses ALA for energy production in the cells. The body does have the ability to convert ALA into the other forms of omega-3 fatty acids if it needs those types for specific functions. But according to Harvard, this conversion in the body is very limited.
Significance
The body uses omega-3 fatty acids in many ways, including brain function and normal growth and development, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Harvard School of Public Health says omega-3 fatty acids have shown health benefits in many diseases and conditions, with the strongest evidence for lowering risk of heart disease.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic website says research has shown many health benefits for omega-3 fish oil with DHA and EPA. It also says that similar benefits are proposed for ALA, but the scientific evidence is less compelling. The differences between fish oil and flaxseed oil are the types of omega-3 fatty acids in them and the source of these omega-3 fatty acids.
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