Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that can help improve your health in many ways. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish or fish oil and can also be obtained from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil. Fish and plant sources have different kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, but it is not known if the different kinds of omega-3 fatty acids have the same effect.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Uses
One of the most common uses of omega-3 fatty acids is to lower risk of developing heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, these fats may be able to decrease blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be used to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, Crohn's disease and other conditions exacerbated by inflammation. Some also use omega-3 fatty acids to treat psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and depression.
Forms of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
There are three main forms of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and alpha-linoleic acid, commonly abbreviated EPA, DHA and ALA, respectively. Although these fatty acids are similar in structure, they do have slight chemical differences. Notably, EPA and DHA are considered to be "long-chain" forms of the fatty acid, which means that they are larger molecules, whereas ALA is the "short-chain" omega-3 fatty acid. DHA and EPA are primarily found in fish, whereas ALA is the predominant omega-3 fatty acid found in plants.
Equivalency
There is some question as to whether the ALA found in flaxseed oil is as effective as the DHA and EPA found in fish oil. DHA and EPA are the omega-3 fatty acids that are active in the body. On the other hand, the human body can convert ALA into DHA and EPA, though it is unclear how efficient this process is. Although the ALA found in flaxseed oil may still be beneficial, it could be less potent.
Considerations
In general, its better to get omega-3 fatty acids from both plant and fish sources. Fish and fish oil may be contaminated with mercury and other pollutants, so you should only consume fish or fish oil in moderate doses. Fish oil may also make it hard for your blood to clot. On the other hand, some medical conditions, such as diabetes and schizophrenia may make your body unable to utilize ALA.
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