Fatty acids are the basic building blocks of which fats and oils are composed.
Certain fatty acids are considered “essential” because they cannot be produced in the body and must be obtained from food or supplement sources.
Omega-3s are one type of essential fatty acid (EFA), and include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
EPA and DHA occur naturally in oily, cold-water fish, while ALA is found in sources such as flax seed oil, canola oil and walnuts.
Omega-6 EFAs, which include linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), are found primarily in unsaturated vegetable oils, such as borage, sunflower, safflower and soybean oils. The omega-3 and omega-6
EFAs are integral to every cell in the body and offer a variety of health-related benefits.
Omega-9 fatty acids, such as oleic acid, are also important for health, but are not considered essential because the body can produce a small amount on its own.
Certain fatty acids are considered “essential” because they cannot be produced in the body and must be obtained from food or supplement sources.
Omega-3s are one type of essential fatty acid (EFA), and include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
EPA and DHA occur naturally in oily, cold-water fish, while ALA is found in sources such as flax seed oil, canola oil and walnuts.
Omega-6 EFAs, which include linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), are found primarily in unsaturated vegetable oils, such as borage, sunflower, safflower and soybean oils. The omega-3 and omega-6
EFAs are integral to every cell in the body and offer a variety of health-related benefits.
Omega-9 fatty acids, such as oleic acid, are also important for health, but are not considered essential because the body can produce a small amount on its own.