Quite often you made read some articles that tend to group the EPA and DHA from fish oil along with the Omega-3 from plants and vegetables, without making much of a distinction. On a grander scale that might be OK, but it pays to know the difference and what it is, and how it might affect results and choices.
The EPA and DHA from fish oils are fatty acids that do an amazing amount of good in your body. Studies have shown marked improvement in issues from mental health to heart health to healthier skin. More and more it seems as if these fatty acids are nearly at the level of a miracle food! While other foods and herbs have been given "super" status in the past, this is one that may actually deserve that status.
Omega 3 Vitamin D
By itself, the Omega-3 from fish oil can go to work in the blood system where it seems to do the most good. There is no need for changes, or that only a certain percentage of it works to the benefit of your body. In other words, your body gets the full benefit of all that Omega-3 from fish oil has to offer.
Now comes the difference with ALA, or alpha-linolenic acids found in plants and vegetables. This is a different type of acid, and while it is beneficial to your body, it is not the same. In fact, the body must convert the ALA to EPA in order for it to have the maximum effect. The big difference is that only 15% of ALA at best will be converted! While this is not bad, it is still not as effective as that from fish.
Why is this important? It should be obvious that it will take nearly 7 times as much Omega-3 from plant and veggie sources to come close to having the same effect as that from fish. Is that a bad thing? You might wonder what that means in terms of consumption of foods from plant and vegetable sources. That would be the same as one ounce of fish oil is then equal to 7 ounces of food from clean, toxin and chemical free plant and vegetable foods.
If you're Vegan or Vegetarian that might be possible. However, a Vegan or Vegetarian diet is notoriously low in vitamin B12, which can only be found in animal fats, so eat all the green stuff you want, it won't replace the B12! And the lack of B12 among other things, causes anemia, and this starts a list of other negative health issues.
So here is where the Omega-3 supplements come in, and Nutritional Yeast that has had a vitamin B12 added that is not from animal sources. So those who do not favor the fishy stuff, do have healthy options. For those who want the real deal, that is pure, high quality, fresh, toxin free and from a highly reputable company, review the resource below.