Ultimate source of omega 3s
I read somewhere that the ultimate source of omega 3s is plants. Even fish like salmon get their "essential" omega 3s by ingesting sources like algae.
How true is this?
Posted Oct 25, 2016, 1:21 AM UTC
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There are different types of omega 3's. EPA and DHA come from fish, and ALA, which comes from leafy greens, nuts, and animal fat. EPA and DHA are the omega 3's that you would probably want since they contribute to heart and cognitive health. Hope that helps!
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I know all that and its not my question.
Its for a statement I made during a science discussion, and was rejected by the Head of Department who is a biologist. I stated that Omega 3s are essential, and even in fish they are derived from fish eating aquatic plants/algae rich in omega 3s. ie fish do not make omega 3s.
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Yeah well that I dont know. I do know that some supplement companies get their omega 3s from algae as an alternative source but im not sure if thats the reason fish have omega 3's. You could be right though
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Flax seed oil is a great replacement for Fish oil as supplements.
Flax seeds, Chia seeds and Hemp seeds are all great sources of balanced omegas.
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Flax seed oil is not an adequate substitute for long chain EPA/DHA in the form of fish oil.
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I'm not sure about algae, but most other plant-based Omega 3 only have a bioavailability of about 5%. Fish is your best overall option.
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More species than microalgae are able to synthesize omega-3 fatty acids, but fish, like all vertebrates, cannot synthesize PUFA de novo from saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and so PUFA are essential dietary nutrients.
Brilliant, exactly the ammunition I need.