Fish Oil Isn’t The Only Source Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Summary: While fish oil is the best source of omega-3 fatty acids, nutritionists and scientists researching edible products find new sources almost every day. Learn about them here.

Omega-3 fatty acids are fats that can bestow several health benefits upon a consumer. Studies conducted on this material prove that it can reduce inflammation, reduce the possibility of sustaining dementia, and decrease blood triglycerides. Until now, experts believed that oily fishes like salmon, tuna, and trout are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Then again, a researcher never stops researching. As a result, these people keep on discovering new things. Today, they believe that a vegetarian can also get his/her fair share of this health-enhancing nutrient without even touching fish. Here you’ll learn about several other sources of omega-3 that are suitable for vegans and vegetarians alike.

Algae oil: Algae oil, also called vegetarian fish oil, is a type of oil accumulated from algae. It stands out as being one of the few vegan sources of both DHA and EPA. A few studies fund that’s perfectly comparable to seafood due to the nutritional features it boasts of. While there have been many experiments conducted by researchers on humans, animal studies show that the DHA acquired from algae oil can be extremely beneficial to health.

Perilla oil: Unlike the so-called vegetarian fish oil described above, this substance comes from perilla seeds. The people of Korea use it more than anyone else as a condiment and cooking oil. Apart from being a versatile and flavourful ingredient, it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. One study conducted on twenty elderly participants incorporates replacing soybean oil with perilla oil. The result of the experiment proved that by switching oils, these people experienced an increase in EPA and DHA in their blood levels.

Chia seeds: Chia seeds are extremely popular throughout the world the health benefits it has to offer. It gives you a high-quality dose of fibre and protein with each serving. Recently, scientists found that they are an excellent plant-based source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Due to the presence of three different types of nutrients, studies found how chia seeds can decrease the risk of suffering from chronic diseases when consumed as part of a healthy diet.

Flaxseeds: Apart from researchers and scientists, those who know a thing or two about healthy eating describe the flaxseed as a nutritional powerhouse. By consuming it, you get a good amount of protein, fibre, magnesium, manganese, and omega-3 in each serving. Multiple studies conducted on flaxseeds prove that they are heart-healthy mainly because of the presence of mega-3. In reality, the oil extracted from the seeds can reduce cholesterol.

Walnuts: Walnuts are full to the brim with healthy fats and ALA omega-3 fatty acids. According to nutritionists, walnuts consist of 65% of fat in terms of weight. Studies conducted on animals prove that the consumption of walnuts can contribute to brain health due to the omega-3 content.

Final words

Omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in bolstering your health and deserve to be part of your everyday diet. Just because you don’t eat fish for dietary issues or personal preference doesn’t mean you can’t get omega-3 anywhere else. By introducing one or more of these vegan and vegetarian alternatives to your diet, you'll get a fair share of omega-3.

Daniel Devid is an Medical and health writer and information product marketer