Nothing Fishy About It

Why you should take omega-3s, and the plantbased source that tops them all.

- Jonny Bowden, PHD, CNS

A lot of us take an omega-3 or fish oil supplement, but we’re not sure why. We’re bombarded with acronyms—GLA, EPA, DHA, SDA, ALA—and a plethora of potential sources. Should we take something from krill, flax, or salmon? How do plant-based options, such as those sourced from Ahiflower oil, compare? Are all plant based formulas the same? How sustainable are they?

Let’s start by understanding why we should be taking omega-3s, one of the most important nutrients you can get from food. Most people aren’t getting nearly enough of these ‘wonder molecules’.

To get the most health benefits from omega-3s, you first need to understand what they are, where they come from, and what they do for you. There are four important omega-3 fatty acids which tend to come from certain sources:

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): ALA is the only omega-3 that is considered biologically an ‘essential’ fatty acid simply because the body can’t make it on its own. You must get it from your diet. It’s found in flax, chia, and hemp as well as Ahiflower seed oil.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): EPA is one of the omega-3s found most abundantly in fish oil. It has anti inflammatory properties and has a direct effect on heart health.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): DHA is the other omega-3 found most abundantly in fish oil. Whereas EPA is known for its heart-health benefits, DHA is critical for the brain.

Stearidonic acid (SDA): This lesser known omega-3 is important because it is one of the only plant-based omega-3s that efficiently converts to EPA in the body. One of the best sources for SDA is Ahiflower oil, which is far more effective than other plant-based omega-3s at boosting EPA levels in the bloodstream.