Fatty Acids Essential For Optimal Health
Did you know that the human body is made up of approximately 37 trillion cells, and each one of them contains important omega-3 fatty acids that the body needs to stay healthy and function normally?
It’s true. Evidence from over 30,000 studies conducted on EPA and DHA indicate they play important roles throughout the body as influential structural components of cell membranes. However, the human body can’t produce the essential fats needed to create these important omega-3 fatty acids on its own, which is why we must rely on outside sources like cold-water fish and flaxseed to get the EPA and DHA we need for optimal cellular health and functioning.
OMEGA-3s: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
This is one of the first questions people interested in omega-3s usually ask, and also one of the most difficult to answer. Because there isn’t a universal consensus on EPA and DHA dosage, a recommended daily amount for omega-3s has not been established the way it has for nutrients like vitamin C or calcium. Health experts typically suggest daily intakes based on a person’s stage of life, health status, nutritional profile, and what the research shows. But one thing is true for everyone: omega-3s are foundational to cellular health, and thus fundamental to optimal health across the lifespan.*
Omega-3 fatty acids come from two main sources: marine sources like cold-water fish and algae, and plant-based sources like flax and green vegetables. People mistakenly think these two sources are equally beneficial, but marine sources are actually far superior. Here’s why.
Flax contains essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can be converted to the two primary fats shown to benefit health, EPA and DHA. However, even under optimal lifestyle and health conditions, only about 5% of ALA converts to EPA, and just 1% converts to DHA. Put in simpler terms, consuming a 10-ounce bag of flax-meal would provide the equivalent amount of EPA+DHA found in a single serving of Nordic Naturals fish oil. In light of the body’s limited ability to convert EPA and DHA from ALA, it is generally recommended that omega-3s be obtained directly from cold-water fish or fish oil.
I recommend Nordic Naturals.
Buy HereNordic Naturals starts with the very best raw material available. Our quality control begins in the ocean with our careful choice of fish species that are naturally low in toxins and high in omega-3 fats. All our omega-3 products are made exclusively from three types of wild fish. None of the fish we use is endangered, and all are caught from some of the cleanest waters in the world. We respect important fishing regulations when sourcing our raw materials, including quotas, minimum catch sizes, fishing ground closures, and fishing methods.