Omega 3 Fats

Omega 3 Fats

Omega-3 fats are "essential fatty acids" or EFAs, meaning they cannot be made by the body. They must be obtained from food, therefore making outside sources of these fats "essential."

While omega-3s are found in both animal and plant foods, they are much more concentrated in animal sources. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the two major omega-3 fatty acids in fish. The greatest amounts of EPA and DHA are found in oily, dark-fleshed fish that live in deep, cold waters such as sardines, bluefish, and salmon.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the other essential fatty acid found most abundantly in canola oil (11%). It is also found in flaxseed and walnuts and omega-3 enhanced eggs.

Find Omega 3 Fats in:

Wild Salmon
Salmon is an omega-3 rich fish that naturally comes from the cold waters of Alaska...
Sardine
Sardines are a group of several types of small oily fish related to herrings, and were named after the island of Sardinia, where they were once found in abundance...
Fish Oil
Fish oil contains a high concentration of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are essential for a multitude of biological functions...
Flax
Flaxseed is the plant kingdom's best source of the essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)...
Walnuts
Nicknamed the "brain nut" for their cerebral appearance, the walnut is a great example of form following function...
Canola Oil
Canola oil...
Caviar
This indulgent appetizer ingredient is packed with an array of nutrients including vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids...
Chia
Chia has made a comeback! Finally this tiny seed is getting the nutritional credit it deserves...
Purslane
Purslane is a leaf vegetable that can be used either fresh in salads or cooked like spinach...
Halibut (Pacific)
Halibut is a member of the Flatfish family and is found in both the Atlantic and Pacific waters...
Mussels
Mussels have been enjoyed for as many as 20,000 years, according to archaeological records...
Oysters
Oysters are shellfish that fall into the mollusk category, which also includes clams, mussels and scallops...
Clams
There are two basic varieties of clams – Hard Shell Clams and Soft Shell clams...
Scallops
Scallops are a nutritional powerhouse and an epicurean delight...
Shrimp
Shrimp is America’s favorite shellfish...
Crab
Crabs are the second most popular shellfish (after shrimp) in the United States...

Bourre JM. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids for women.Biomed Pharmacother. 2007 Jan 2. Siddiqui RA, Shaikh SR, Sech LA, Yount HR, Stillwell W, Zaloga GP. Omega 3-fatty acids: health benefits and cellular mechanisms of action. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2004 Oct;4(8):859-71.

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