Just be sure to take note of the dose of EPA and DHA of your supplement. These supplements may help to span the gap, and provide vegetarians effective alternative sources. Research is also looking into sachi inchi, a plant native to the Amazon rainforest, high in omega 3 fatty acids. That being said, some supplement companies have released an algae based DHA source. Fish and fish oils are by far the easiest and highest source of these essential fats. For vegans, this can make it virtually impossible to get adequate amounts of DHA and EPA.

Women are said to be slightly more efficient at this conversion process than men. However, it is not always the case that we have excess ALA to convert, and it has been shown that our conversion process is very inefficient, converting anywhere from only 5% - 20% of what is needed. In the human body, under optimal conditions, we can convert a certain amount of ALA to DHA and EPA. The health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA in particular, have been widely studied and are both numerous and widespread.īoth flax and hemp seed oils are the highest vegetable sources of omega 3, although most of this is ALA. The omega 3 fatty acids that humans require are: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega 3 essential fatty acids are often deficient in our diets, but are essential to our wellbeing.Įssential fatty acids are called 'essential' because they cannot be biosynthesized in sufficient amounts by the human body and have to be taken in through dietary sources to allow normal metabolism.

Omega 3 benefits