Omega fatty acids are absolutely vital to our health. There are quite a few foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and other seafood, nuts and seeds, plant oil (especially flaxseed oil), and fortified foods like some brands of eggs, yogurt, juices, and milk. It has not been established how much of each omega-3 your body needs, except for ALA. ALA fatty acids are the ones found primarily in plant sources such as flaxseed, soybean, and canola oils.
Sources of Omega Fatty Acids
You can get your omega fatty acids from both plant and animal sources, but not all omega-3s are the same. In general, marine animal-based omega-3s contain a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) while plant-based omega-3s contain a shorter-chained PUFA. Another difference is that plant-based omega-3s do not contain two acids, DHA and EPA.
What this means in layman’s terms is that your body converts the omega-3s from the two sources differently. An enzyme is needed to convert ALA, but that enzyme doesn’t work efficiently for everyone. This leads to a low conversion rate for most people. Unfortunately, there is a lot of marketing out there that does not make proper distinguishing such as this. For instance, if you are getting your omega-3’s from flaxseed oil, it is recommended that you get it from a freshly ground source or else it will be oxidized.
Douglas Labs
With all of the information out there about nutrition, it is important to make sure you are getting your vitamins and supplements from trusted sources. A leader in the nutritional health industry for over 50 years, Douglas Labs is a company that is above approach when it comes to the quality and consistency of their products. Today Douglas Labs carries one of the largest and most groundbreaking selections of high-quality, science-based health supplements. Even more, all products from Douglas Labs meet current cGMP standards, which means your safety is guaranteed when you take their products as directed.
Flaxseed Oil is a fantastic product from Douglas Labs containing omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids. These capsules contain 100% pure, unrefined, and organically grown flax seed oil. Another great choice from Douglas Labs is Balance Plus, which contains omega fatty acids from cold water marine fish, organic evening primrose oil, and extra virgin olive oil. Among other things, products such as Flaxseed oil and Balance Plus are designed to support a healthy level of fatty acids, which can help the body’s response and support the body’s normal processes.
Barlean’s Organic Oils
Douglas Labs is not the only supplier of fine omega 3 products. Barlean’s Organic Oils is based on a farm near the Pacific Coast in Ferndale, Washington. The company grew from a fishing operation in 1972, and now Barlean’s Organic Oils is one of the leading suppliers of flaxseed oil. From their inception, Banyan Botanicals showed dedication to freshness and an interest in educating consumers about the many benefits of omega-3s sourced from flax and fish oil.
You might think that supplement omega-3s come only in oil or capsule form, but that is not the case. Barlean’s Organic Oils has a wide range of product types to fit your daily needs. Energy Seed Blend is a concoction of healthy seeds and grains to give you omega 3 fatty acid support. Panax ginseng root extract powder is a special ingredient sometimes used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Energy Seed Blend is perfect for sprinkling on oatmeal or mixing in smoothies or juices.
When it comes to getting your omega-3s fatty acids, there are different options out there for you. Some people thrive off marine fish oil, while others prefer to go the veggie route with amazing flaxseed oil. While there are differences between the two, what’s clear is that your body craves omega-3s. Increasing the intake of certain essential fatty acids can increase health, help treat certain diseases, and even improve body composition. So get some essential fatty acids today!
