What are the types of omega 3 and what is the best type?

The human body does not have the ability to make omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential and must be supplied to the body through food consumption because they perform important functions in the body. There are about 11 types of omega-3 fatty acids, among which 3 types are the most important. In this article from Positive Green Online Pharmacy magazine, we will have a more comprehensive and detailed look at the types of Omega 3.

What is omega 3 and what are the types of omega 3?

Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential for maintaining health and cannot be made by the human body. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining heart and brain health and play a major role in preventing inflammation in the body.

• Research has shown that the lack of omega-3 in the body causes depression, heart diseases, reduced IQ, arthritis, cancer and many other problems and diseases.

There are three main types of Omega 3: ALA, EPA and DHA.

Omega 3 types

The most important types of omega 3 are:

Alpha linolenic acid or ALA

The most likely omega-3 in your diet is alpha-linolenic acid, which is found mostly in plant foods and is an essential precursor to EPA or DHA. But be careful that only a small percentage of ALA is converted into EPA and DHA, and this amount is not enough at all. If alpha-linolenic acid is not converted into EPA or DHA in the human body, it is easily stored in the body like other fats and used for energy.

Food sources containing ALA

Alpha-linolenic acid, which is one of the most important types of omega-3, is found in many plant foods. For example: spinach, cabbage, soybeans and walnuts. You can also find this fatty acid in seeds: such as chia seeds, flax and hemp. Some animal fats also contain ALA. You can also get significant amounts of omega-3 from vegetable oils, such as flaxseed and canola oil.

Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA is one of the types of omega-3

Eicosapentaenoic acid helps in the production of eicosanoids in the human body, which play important roles in the body and prevent inflammation. Chronic inflammation will cause many diseases and a basic solution must be used to treat it. Some studies show that EPA is more effective than DHA in preventing depression.

EPA Resources

EPA, which is one of the most important types of omega-3, is mostly found in seafood such as fatty fish. EPA and DHA are also called marine omega-3. You can find a high concentration of EPA in herring, salmon, eel, fish containing caviar and shrimp. Meat and dairy products from grass-fed animals contain significant amounts of EPA.

Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA

Another type of omega-3 is docosahexaenoic acid, which, like EPA, is mostly found in animal sources. This fatty acid is an important part of the structure of the skin and retina. DHA is essential for brain development and function in childhood as well as brain function in adults.

In the early years of childhood, DHA deficiency may lead to problems such as learning disorders. Also, in adulthood, the reduction of DHA in the body can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 deficiency and hyperactivity are also directly related, and this issue has been confirmed in many scientific articles.

Adequate levels of DHA in the body can be effective in the treatment of arthritis, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, as well as improve heart health.

Food sources of DHA

DHA, which is a type of omega-3, is found in significant amounts in seafood, including fatty fish and algae. Grass-fed animal products can also contain some DHA. You can also compensate for the lack of DHA in the body by taking supplements that contain omega-3.

How ALA is converted to EPA and DHA in the human body

We have explained the types of omega 3 for you. ALA can be converted into EPA and DHA in the human body. But be careful that on average only 1 to 10% of alpha linolenic acid will be converted to EPA and 0.5 to 5% of it will be converted to DHA.

Exactly how much ALA is converted to other omega-3 fatty acids depends on the levels of certain nutrients in the body, such as copper, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and vitamins B6 and B7. Another point is that high amounts of omega-6 in the human body may reduce the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA.

Other types of omega 3

The most abundant types of omega-3 are ALA, EPA and DHA, but there are at least 8 other types of omega-3 fatty acids that you should also familiarize yourself with:

• hexadecathienoic acid (HTA)
• Steridonic acid (SDA)
• Eicosatrienoic acid (ETE)
• Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA)
• Henicosapentaenoic acid (HPA)
• docosapentanoic acid (DPA)
• Tetracosapentaenoic acid
• Tetracosahaxanoic acid

These are present in some foods but are not considered essential. This does not mean that these types of omega-3 fatty acids are not beneficial for health. Their biological effects on body health have been confirmed in many studies.

Which of the types of omega 3 is better?

Among the types of omega-3, EPA and DHA are the most important. These two omega-3 fatty acids are most abundant in seafood, including fatty fish and algae, grass-fed meat and dairy, and omega-3-enriched eggs. If you think you don’t use this type of food in your diet enough, be sure to take omega-3 tablets, which are abundantly found in pharmacies.

Who should not take omega 3?

Omega 3 tablets should be used with caution in the following cases:

• People with blood disorders
• People with heart problems (history of heart attack)
• Aspirin and warfarin users
• Bipolar patients
• People allergic to fish or animal products

Also, diabetic patients, patients with liver fibrosis and people with weak immune system should definitely consult a doctor before starting to take omega-3 supplements.

final word

In this article, we have explained the types of omega 3 for you. Alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are the most important types of omega-3. These fatty acids are not made in the human body and must be supplied through food consumption. If you do not use enough fatty fish in your diet, we recommend you to buy omega-3 tablets. You can buy Omega 3 capsules online and in person at the online pharmacy of Positive Green.