Health & Medical Nutrition

Understanding the Main Difference of Omega 3 and Fish Oil

Getting confused about Omega 3 [http://www.multi-tabs.dk/Danish/Omega-3/Multi-tabs%C2%AE-Omega-3-.aspx?uid=998-1-498-3185] and fish oil? Do you want to know the difference between the two? It is not surprising to see so many people getting confused about the essential Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils. In fact, some people think that the two are just the same.

To simplify things, you have to understand that Omega 3 is considered the most essential fatty acid. It is also known as polyunsaturated fatty acid and consists primarily of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

On the other hand, fish oil is a product of fatty fish and contains rich amount of Omega 3 fatty acids. More specifically, fish oil has high concentration of EPA and DHA. Because of these primary components, the oil of fatty fish is considered very heart friendly and can promote good brain development.

Basically, fish oil is just one of the natural food products that contain Omega 3 fatty acids. There are still other sources of essential DHA, EPA, and ALA. You can get these fatty acids from vegetables and green leafy plants. They are also abundant in flaxseeds, walnuts, beans, grains, and some poultry products.

The Best Sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

There is no denying the fact that fish oil is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids specifically DHA and EPA. However, these fatty acids are also present in plants, grains, and livestock.

For example, the essential fatty acid content of flaxseeds is much higher than fish oil. Flaxseed oil therefore is also one of the most ideal sources of beneficial ALA, EPA, and DHA. Extra virgin olive oil is also a good source.

Raw green vegetables, beans, and grains have high Omega 3 content. So you need to include these foods in your daily diet in order to boost your body's Omega-3 fatty acid supply. It is not enough therefore to get your beneficial fatty acids from fish oil.

Maximizing Fish Oil for Good Health

Fish oil has become a very popular source of Omega 3 fatty acids. First of all, it is easy to find fatty fish. Second, almost everybody loves to eat fish. And lastly, fatty fish is also a good source of protein which makes it doubly beneficial.

If you want to maximize the Omega 3 content of fish oil, you have to choose the right fatty fish. Some of the best sources of fish oil include salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, swordfish, and lake trout. These have the essential fats that contain high amounts of DHA and EPA.

When finding a good source of fish oil, you should select fish specie caught from the wild. These fishes eat green algae and planktons which produce the fatty acids. Commercially farmed fish fed with processed fishmeal may not have the right amount of Omega-3 rich fish oil.

To recap, Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid. It is needed for the proper functioning of the body. Meanwhile, fish oil is just one source of Omega-3 fatty acids. You can get fish oil from fatty fish only while Omega 3 fatty acids are present in plants, nuts, grains, and meat. If you want to learn more about fish oil and omega 3 acids, follow this link.

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