There is great hype about omega 3 and manufacturers are trying to sell different oils under the tag of Omega 3 oils. Thus, it is a good idea to learn about the content of oils so that you can make the right choice when it comes to fish oil supplements.
You probably are aware that Omega 3 is a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential for our health. Since these fatty acids cannot be synthesized within our body, we need to rely on our diet to obtain them.
Fish oils top the list when talking about the content of oils. They have the highest amount of DHA and EPA, the two most essential fatty acids.
Fish oils extracted from cold-water fishes such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring and Hoki are rich in essential fatty acids.
Omega 3 extracted from Hoki fish is 40% higher than other oils. Hoki is a cold-water species found in the southern oceans of New Zealand and has naturally high DHA and EPA levels.
Vegan oil sources of these essential fatty acids include Flaxseed oil, Canola oil, Sunflower oil, Walnut oil, Algae oil, Pumpkin seeds oil, Olive oil and Krill oil.
Unlike fish oils, vegetable oils contain ALA fats or alpha-linolenic fats that need to be converted into EPA and DHA for being absorbed by the body. This conversion takes time and is not possible in children, old-aged people and diabetics.
Flaxseed oil contains around 55% of these essential fats and is a heart-healthy oil. It contains phytonutrients and is a colon-friendly oil. As the name suggests, this oil is extracted from flax seeds.
When it comes to omega 3 oils, canola oil cannot be left behind. Canola oil contains both omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids in a ratio of 1:2. This is an ideal ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Consuming canola oil regularly can correct the imbalance between omega 6 and omega 3 in our diets.
Algae oil is still an untapped natural resource of these essential fatty acids. Not many people know about the content in algae oil. This is the only plant-based oil that contains DHA fatty acids in the natural form. Algae oil contains approx. 40% DHA by weight which is a considerably good amount.
Other oils such as pumpkin seed oil, primrose oil and hemp seeds oil do not contain very high amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids. They are primarily a source of omega 6 fatty acids, but contain some amount of ALA omega 3 fats as well.
Walnuts are very rich in omega 3 fatty acids and so is the oil extracted from Walnuts. Walnut oil contains both omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids and it is a heart-friendly oil.
The poorest source of omega 3 are coconut oil, olive oil and sunflower oil. These oils contain next to negligible amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and are not a good choice if you want to obtain the best benefits.
Now that you have learnt about the content of oils relating to essential fatty acids, choose the oil that contains the highest amount of DHA and EPA fats. Also make sure that the oil is molecularly distilled.
Molecularly distilled, pharmaceutical grade fish oils are the purest form of omega 3 supplements and have remarkable health benefits.
Micheal Thomas is an editor for a series of health related websites. Learn about the best fish oil capsules that we ourselves use daily after extensive product comparisons and research over at http://www.omega-3-fish-benefits.com
