One of the most important health discoveries over the last few decades is that most of us are deficient in what is known as the Omega 3 essential fatty acids. There are a number of these Omega 3 fats, primarily ALA (alpha linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), though there are others.

Generally DHA is the most important of the Omega 3 fatty acids, although EPA is also very important. DHA makes up a large proportion of our brain.

But sadly over the last century there have been significant changes to our diets and we are now eating much less DHA and EPA as these are mainly found in seafood and particularly in oily fish. As we are eating less seafood and therefore taking less omega 3 fats his increases our risk of a wide range of health conditions, and increasing our intake of these essential fatty acids can help protect us against contracting some of these conditions.

ALA on the other hand is found only in plant-based foods and is not found in seafoods, therefore even eating more seafood does not increase our intake of ALA.

But vegetarians do not take omega 3 supplements contain DHA and EPA as these come from fish, and so in most cases are taking Omega 3 supplements that come from such sources as flax seed oil. Therefore they are getting ALA only. Are they getting sufficient Omega3 fats?

Unfortunately no. The reason is that DHA and EPA are by far the most important of the essential fatty acids. ALA can be converted in the body into DHA and EPA, however the rate at which the body converts it is very poor, and varies according to your state of health. Those amongst us who are healthier can convert ALA at a higher rate, those of us less healthy, as well as the elderly, convert it at a slower rate. But in any event the rate at which it is converted to the important essential fatty acids DHA and EPA is very low.

So if it isn’t sufficient to take vegetarian Omega 3 supplements why do people take them? Because as vegetarians they cannot take traditional Omega 3 supplements sourced from seafood. And many people taking vegetarian Omega 3 supplements are unaware that they are not providing sufficient levels of the important Omega 3 fats.

Unfortunately almost all of us have low levels of DHA and EPA, the 2 most important of the Omega 3 fats, and taking vegetarian Omega 3 supplements does not address this. To find out more about improving your levels of DHA and EPA visit my Omega 3 website.

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