The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Frequently Asked Questions Page

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Dietary Sources and Requirements

Seafood

Dietary sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Dietary Requirements

While most people's everyday dietary intake of Omega-3 fatty acids is far below the recommended level, it is fortunate that they are to be found in many of the foods that we eat. In this section we will outline various sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and their nutrient density, so to speak, in terms of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). This section is currently under development and a such, merely includes a very basic list at this moment. We intend to make this section a sizeable database of information for those seeking ways to incorporate more Omega-3 fatty acids into their diet.

Seafood

In terms of nutrient density, the best source of Omega-3 fatty acids is seafood, since the oil in fish has high concentration of the important fatty acids, DHA and EPA. As the body only converts only a small portion of the precursor fatty acid Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) into DHA and EPA, the largest concentrations of DHA and EPA specifically are to be found in deep dwelling, cold water fish.

Sources

Goyens PL, Spilker ME, Zock PL, et al. Compartmental modeling to quantify alpha-linolenic acid conversion after longer term intake of multiple tracer boluses. J Lipid Res, 2005. 46:1474-83.