Discover the Best Omega-3

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times.  Fish and seafood are arguably the best omega-3 sources in the world.  But, for many reasons, people may be concerned about eating fish and seafood on a regular basis.

That’s probably one of the reasons that so many people take fish oil supplements.  It is the biggest selling dietary supplement in the US, according to surveys.  It’s more popular than green tea, ginkgo biloba or ginseng.  Only standard multi-vitamins are better sellers.

But, are people really getting what they are paying for?  Are they getting the best value for their money?  Would it make more sense just to eat a little fish every day?

As long as you stay on top of the consumption advisories for fish that are high in mercury or other contaminants, then including seafood in your diet is a good choice.  It is usually lower in total fat than other meat choices and it provides a variety of different nutrients.  But, if you want to be sure that you are getting enough EPA and DHA to meet your body’s daily needs then a fish oil supplement is the best choice.

The amount of total omega-3s in seafood varies, as does the DHA and EPA content.  Although you need both and some ALA, too, the best omega-3 is probably DHA.

DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is found in large quantities in the brain and in the back of the eye.  Numerous studies have shown that fish oil lowers total blood triglycerides and increases the blood content of HDL (good) cholesterol.  At least one study has shown that DHA has a greater effect on those two health factors than EPA.

In studies concerning depression, DHA has been more effective than EPA, but the greatest benefits have been seen when both DHA and EPA are given to depressed individuals.  So, the best omega-3 for depression is a fish oil supplement rich in DHA and EPA.

What about other types of supplements?  Well, flax seed provides only ALA, which means it is not a “complete” supplement.  Marine algae provide only DHA.  So, it’s not complete, either.

The better fish oils provide DHA, EPA and the lesser known DPA or Docosapentaenoic acid, which is believed to be important to good cardiovascular health.  That’s truly the most complete supplement that you can get.  ALA is found in a number of different foods.  So, supplementation is really unnecessary.

In terms of getting value for your money, the best omega-3 supplement is one that is rich in DHA.  Looking at the grams of DHA per bottle and looking at the cost per bottle will help you determine value for your money.

You’ll also want to be sure that the supplement you choose is free of contaminants, such as mercury or PCBs.  The better manufacturers post a copy of an independent laboratory analysis proving the supplement’s purity, freshness and nutritional content.

So, while seafood is the best omega-3 source, a supplement is a better choice for most people.  It’s a more affordable and simply an easier option for insuring you are well nourished.