Getting to Know Omega-3s and Which Are Best for Your Health
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What does a consumer really need to know? For starters-not all omega-3s are the same.
Omega-3 goes by many names, including fish oil, essential fatty acids, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). To take it one step further, there are two types of omega-3s, long-chain and short-chain fatty acids.
The long-chain omega-3s come from marine sources such as fish, or more specifically from the micro-algae the fish eats. The two primary types of long-chain omega-3s are:
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EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Short-chain omega-3s come from plant sources such as flax, canola oil and walnuts. The primary short-chain omega-3 is:
The Difference
Short-chain omega-3s (ALA) are good but the long-chain omega-3s (EPA and DHA) are GREAT! Our bodies convert ALA into EPA and DHA, but research suggests human bodies can be inefficient at this conversion process. If you want to maximize the health benefits of omega-3s, concentrate on getting most of your omega-3s from the long-chain (EPA and DHA) sources such as fatty fish including salmon, herring and trout, or by taking fish oil (omega-3) supplements that contain a healthy dose of both EPA and DHA.
To learn more about Cooper Complete nutritional supplements, including Advanced Omega-3, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2702.
Article provided by Jill Turner, President of Cooper Complete®.