OMEGA-3 fatty acids and better health

Andy De Santis, RD, Registered Dietitian

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that the human body cannot make and must be ingested via food or supplements.

Omega-3s are potently anti-inflammatory and serve important roles throughout the body and brain, where they populate cell membranes and positively influence cellular messaging. They are relatively elusive nutrients because only very few foods contain large quantities.

The plant form of omega-3, ALA, is found in specific types of nuts and seeds like flax, chia, hemp and walnuts whereas the marine forms, EPA & DHA, are found exclusively in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.

The marine omega-3s EPA & DHA are the ones most commonly studied, supplemented and most likely to confer the greatest health benefit.

Vegans and vegetarians can access these omega-3s in supplemental form using a new line of algae-based omega-3 supplements.

Adequate omega-3 intake and/or supplementation plays an important role in the development of children, the optimization of heart health and contributes potentially to a wide array of other inflammatory conditions ranging from arthritis to fatty liver disease.

Presenter: Andy De Santis, Registered Dietitian, Toronto, ON

Local Practitioners: Registered Dietitian