| Selecting the proper fish oil supplement is not | | | | from fish oils are more effective in keeping off |
| always easy. Omega-3 fatty acid content makes | | | | heart disease. It is not certain that short chain |
| these supplements indispensable to health. These | | | | fatty acid ALA ever provides same benefits as it |
| essential acids have various sources and this | | | | may still need additional conversion before being |
| means different consequences exist as a result of | | | | used by the body. |
| getting them from these sources. | | | | Fish Oil Sources |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acid - The different | | | | With the difference between Omega-3 acids |
| There are of three kinds - Docosahexaenoic acid | | | | sourced from fish and from plants known, fish oil |
| (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and | | | | seems to have the upper hand. But some other |
| Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is a short chain | | | | things need to put into consideration. To get the |
| Omega-3 fatty acid which occur in plants like flax | | | | kind of fish oil supplements offering the best |
| seed, walnuts, and soybean oil. DHA and EHA are | | | | source of long chain Omega-3 acids, you need to |
| the long chain acids occurring in fish oil | | | | know their sourced. |
| supplements. | | | | Before buying these supplements, look at the |
| The variation between short chain and long chain | | | | label. It should contain information on the source |
| acids is in how our bodies process them. The | | | | of the fish whose oil is used in the supplement. |
| body has to first convert the short chain kinds | | | | Since there are more than just one fish species |
| into its long chain form ad this does not usually | | | | to source out such supplements, it is important to |
| happen easily. This is why the supplements from | | | | know what types of fishes these may be. |
| fish source are seen as more effective in | | | | Some labels contain information of fish oil sourced |
| providing the type of Omega-3 fatty acids the | | | | from salmon, tuna or anchovies. This can be |
| body needs because it is already the long chain | | | | deemed safe. But if labels only tell of fish or |
| form requiring no more conversion before usage. | | | | marine lipids, then beware. It may be that the |
| Supplement Value and Benefits | | | | makers of such supplements may not be too |
| Another thing to consider before selecting | | | | certain of the source of their fish oil. This might |
| between Omega-3 acids from fish and ones | | | | also cast some doubt on the purity of the oil |
| sourced from plants is their effectiveness, value | | | | extracted from the fish. |
| and benefits. Long chain Omega-3 acids sourced | | | | |