Is there a non-fish oil supplement that offers omega-3 fatty acids?

Although fish and fish oil are both rich sources of the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), there are other sources of omega-3 fats that are not derived from fish. Read on to learn more about omega-3 fats and non-fish oil supplements that offer these essential nutrients.

Omega-3 fats are “essential” nutrients

Omega-3 fatty acids are a part of a team of essential fatty acids (EFAs) that are critical to life itself and play a role in many important physiological functions. The three nutritionally important omega 3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

While your body converts ALA to EPA and DHA through a series of chemical reactions, this conversion is modest and controversial.^1,2 Therefore, if you don’t eat DHA-rich fish or consume fish oil supplements, you should aim to include foods rich in ALA in your diet every day and consider a non-fish oil DHA supplement. This will help provide your body with adequate ALA and DHA to meet your nutritional needs. Important food sources of ALA include ground flax seeds, walnuts and leafy green vegetables.^†

Non-fish oil omega-3 supplements

The growing body of research pointing to the health benefits of omega-3 fats is quickly making them a supplement staple. To supplement with a non-fish oil omega-3 supplement, consider Natrol® Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg, which provides a ready source of ALA for your body to convert to EPA and DHA as needed.^†

Another option is Natrol® DHA Omega-3 Neuromins®, which provides DHA from algae. Algae naturally provide a concentrated source of DHA. In fact, algae are the main source of DHA for fish that regularly consume it. Thanks to technological innovation, DHA can be efficiently extracted from algae, thereby offering a non-fish source of this important omega-3 fat in supplement form.

References

Gerster H. Can adults adequately convert -linolenic acid (18:3n-3) to eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3)? Int J Vitam Nutr Res.1998;68:159-173. PMID: 9637947
Burdge GC, Jones AE, Wootton SA. Eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids are the principal products of -linolenic acid metabolism in young men. Br J Nutr.2002;88:355-363. PMID: 12323085

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.