Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids 
There are animal and plant sources for omega-3 fatty acids. The type of fatty acid and the amount vary as well . An omega-3, known as alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is from plant sources. Sources include flax seeds and flax seed oil, hemp seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, purslane, canola oil, soybean oil and soy products. Some amounts are also found in some dark green, leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables. Our bodies convert ALA into EPA and then to DHA. Only a small amount of ALA is converted to DHA. Flax and chia are usually listed as the best plant sources of omega-3’s.
Two other omega-3 fats, known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are derived from marine sources. Sources include cold-water fatty fish, Krill oil and New Zealand green-lipped mussels. The best fish sources are salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, tuna, and anchovies. Marine oil is the most beneficial source of EPA and DHA. Fish and mussels do not synthesize omega-3s. They obtain them from the algae in their diet.
The American Heart Association recommends consuming at least 2 servings of baked or grilled fish each week. Consumers, aware of the chances of having high levels of mercury and other contaminants in their fish, frequently opt for a marine oil supplement. We must be wary about the purity of our supplements as well.
Holy mackerel! Not all marine oil supplements are the same! Their quality and purity do vary greatly. There is a big difference between what you purchase off the grocery/drug/big box store shelves, your local health food stores and the products from a reputable source. You’ve heard the expression ‘you get what you pay for’. That statement is usually true.
I add either chia seeds, flax seeds or hemp powder in my breakfast smoothie daily. (Still do). Four weeks ago I started taking a green-lipped mussel oil capsule called Moxxor that was recommended by Mike Adams, the editor of Natural News.com. I wanted to see if it was as potent and phenomenal as he had stated. It is easy to swallow (tiny soft gel capsule) and doesn’t leave an after-taste of fish oil. I have noticed some health enhancements. Will discuss later. Go to Mike Adam’s website http://www.naturalnews.com/024514.html and scroll down to “The Amazing Properties of Marine Lipids” to read for yourself what captured my attention.
To Your Health !
To Your Health 
[…] searching around for information on EFAs I came across an interesting blogsite called ‘To Your Health.’ the article I landed on not only gives a really good explanation of different types of […]
By: Some answers to confusion over the best sources of Omega 3 on November 29, 2008
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