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Not all fats are created equal. They vary significantly in structure, form and metabolism, and some are superior to others in their nutritional benefits. While saturated fat has been shown to contribute to heart disease, along with a number of other chronic diseases, Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats are essential to maintaining good health and have many proven health benefits.

Omega-3 is vital to our immune system, brain development and cognitive function

There is a growing interest and market for Omega-3 supplements as a result of the evidence-based health benefits, and because so many people are now concerned about obtaining Omega-3 from consuming fish because of potential toxins and high levels of mercury and PCBs. They are especially important for those following a plant-based vegan diet. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are vital to our immune system, brain development, cognitive function, and prevent inflammation. In 2002, the AHA published a scientific statement in the Journal of the American Heart Association entitled “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease.” It said:

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in epidemiological and clinical trials to reduce the incidence of CVD (cardiovascular disease). Evidence from prospective secondary prevention studies suggests that EPA+DHA supplementation ranging from 0.5 to 1.8g/d (either as fatty fish or supplements) significantly reduced subsequent cardiac and all-cause mortality.

In addition, the statement reported that Omega-3 fatty acids:

  • decrease triglycerides
  • lower blood pressure 
  • improve cholesterol by increasing HDL and decreasing LDL,
  • improve endothelial function
  • reduce blood clotting
  • decrease stroke and heart failure risk
  • reduce cardiac arrhythmias
  • reduce inflammation that can damage artery lining that can lead to atherosclerosis.

On the flip side, in 2012, JAMA published a meta-analysis that questioned the association of Omega-3 to heart health. The latest news, however, from a March, 2015 review in AHA’s journal Circulation, has re-evaluated the evidence studying the relationship between blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and CVD risk. It emphasizes that the significance may not be in the consumption of Omega-3, but in how well the body absorbs it. It differs in individuals based on a variety of factors such as blood level response to Omega-3 supplementation, the quality of the Omega-3 supplements, different doses and the length of supplementation as treatment.

Our bodies can make most of the fats that we need, but Omega-3 cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be obtained through food or a supplement. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have a double bond at the third carbon atom from the end of the carbon chain, hence the name Omega-3. They are made up of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

EPA and DHA are the long-chain fatty acids that have been reported to produce significant health benefits. They are found in marine algae and fish that eat marine algae, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna, halibut and herring. ALA is a shorter-chained fatty acid that is present in plant sources such as flax, hemp, chia, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, soy, and in smaller amounts in other plant sources such as kale or spinach. Flaxseeds can be used as a plant-based source for Omega-3 because they contain 50% of ALA. ALA can be converted to EPA and to DHA; however, it must compete with Omega-6 for this conversion to occur, and according to a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal ,this conversion is limited to only about a 5% conversion of ALA to EPA and an even lower rate to DHA.

Omega-3 Supplementation

As with all supplementation, consult your physician before adding or changing a dose of Omega-3 supplements. According to Dr. Ornish, it is generally not recommended for those with congestive heart failure. Omega-3 supplementation should be evaluated and monitored by your physician if you’re taking a blood thinner, anti-platelet drugs, or anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Advil or Motrin since the combination may increase the risk of bleeding.

Omega-3 may interact with other medications or supplements such as Gingko Biloba, so make sure to double check with your physician and pharmacist for any potential interactions. If you are pregnant, have diabetes, or are at high risk for bleeding, discuss taking Omega 3s, or any supplements, with your physician.

Recently, In his Ask Dr. Ornish column, Dr. Ornish discusses the benefit of Omega-3 along with the risks of consuming Omega-3 and provides a couple of high-quality brands to choose from. Additionally,when you’re looking for a high-quality brand, it is important to look for purity and that it has been tested by a third party.

Omega-3 and Cholesterol

For heart health, the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease recommends 2-4 grams of Omega-3 a day with an approximate ratio 600 mg EPA and 400 mg DHA per 1000 mg. It’s important to read the labels since fish oil supplements contain fish, and some can be relatively high in cholesterol. The Ornish Lifestyle Medicine nutrition guidelines suggest avoiding cholesterol containing fish oils that have more than 2 mg cholesterol.  Omega-3 fatty acids can be labeled cholesterol-free if they have less than 2 mg of cholesterol per serving. The cholesterol from fish capsules can add up depending how many you need to take to reach the recommended 2-4 gm a day.

The Benefit of Marine Algae or Plankton Supplements

If you’re trying to avoid cholesterol, getting Omega-3 from marine algae supplements instead of fish oil is a good option as they are naturally cholesterol free. In order to obtain 2-4 grams of Omega-3, however, you will need to spread several suggested servings over the course of the day. For optimum absorption, it is best to take them with a meal that includes other naturally occurring fats such as legumes or whole grains.

The recommendation from the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests consuming 0.5 to 1.8 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids per day as fish oil, with one gram per day of EPA and DHA for people with heart disease. The recommendations for plant sources are higher at 1.5 to 3.0 grams per day due to the limited conversion. Fish oil supplement formulations differ with variable amounts of EPA and DHA. A 1-gram capsule may contain between 200 and 950 mg of EPA and DHA.

Skipping the middle man, or the “middle fish,” and getting your Omega-3 straight from marine algae or plankton is becoming an excellent plant-based option and backed by impressive ongoing research. Fish themselves do not produce Omega-3, but rather store them from consuming microalgae or prey fish that have consumed phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is also rich in selenium, iodine and antioxidants that protects it from oxidation. Currently, the AHA has no specific recommendations for phytoplankton sources.

What benefits have you experienced from taking Omega-3?

Contributed by

Carra Richling
Registered Dietitian

Eat well, be well!

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