Omega-3 Supplements: Benefits and Uses

Omega-3 supplements are dietary products containing essential fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, which are beneficial for heart health, brain function, and inflammation regulation.
Category
Supplement
Where to get
Available in pharmacies and health stores.
Prepared by Nick Harper, reviewed by Dr. David James Simpson

omega-3 supplements FAQ


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Are omega-3 supplements good for You?

Omega-3 supplements come in many different forms, from regular fish oil to mammalian oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are very important for your health. Eating whole foods that are rich in omega-3s, like fatty fish is the best way to get enough. If you don’t eat a lot of fatty fish, you may want to consider taking a supplement.

What are omega 3 fats?

Omega 3 fats are actually a family of dietary fats that are essential for our health. At the top of the family tree is ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which creates the all-important EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) fats.

How does Medical News Today select omega-3 supplements?

Medical News Today selects omega-3 supplements that meet the following criteria: Ingredients: MNT chooses products that contain high quality ingredients and are free of fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Dosage: MNT selects products that contain safe doses of omega-3 fatty acids.

What do we know about omega-3 supplements?

Extensive research has been done on omega-3s, especially the types found in seafood (fish and shellfish) and fish oil supplements. What do we know about the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements? Research indicates that omega-3 supplements don’t reduce the risk of heart disease.

What are omega-3s & why are they important?

Omega-3s are a family of fats that are important for your health. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential dietary fat. You need ALA to make other omega-3 fats called long-chain (LCN-3). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are LCN-3 fats. ALA makes these in your body. This happens slowly and only small amounts are formed.

Do I need to take omega-3 supplements?

You don’t need to take omega-3 supplements unless they’ve been prescribed by your doctor. Research suggests that the health benefits come from eating foods that contain omega-3s rather than taking supplements. However, if you do want to take a supplement then there are a few things to look out for.

omega-3 supplements References

If you want to know more about omega-3 supplements, consider exploring links below:

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