Converting Omega 3 ALA to DHA and EPA

ALA along with DHA and EPA are essential fatty acids which our body cannot manufacture on its own. We need to get them either from food or supplements.

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The omega 3 from fish, tuna, salmon, mackerel and halibut, is more quickly absorbed into our systems than the ALA type. When we eat them, our bodies start absorbing the omega 3 benefits right away. It gets into the blood stream quicker and to the organs that require it the most.

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The ALA that we get from plants needs to be converted into DHA and EPA within our bodies. The only problem with it is that our body can convert only about 15% of the ALA to EPA and 5% of it to DHA. Analyzing this data, we need to see, whether we are getting sufficient DHA and EPA if we are depending only on ALA from flax seed oil. The absorption rate of ALA in our body is much slower than that of EPA or DHA. The only advantage of ALA over fish oil is that the plants do not lack in vitamin E like fish.

If you are consuming a diet rich in the omega 6 fatty acids or LA(linoleic acid) you could be losing 40% of your omega 3 fatty acids in the conversion. A woman, who is pregnant and is consuming a lot of omega 6 fatty acids in the form of food cooked in corn or safflower oils, may not be able to convert ALA into EPA and DHA. This could also result the fetus not getting the full benefits of omega 3 in the developmental stage.

Those who consume the diet high in trans fatty acids and saturated fats will not be able to effectively convert ALA into DHA and EPA.

If you are not getting enough of the vitamins B3, B6, C or Zinc and Magnesium you could again be failing to convert ALA into DHA and EPA.

Certain Drugs or diabetes may also interfere with the conversion.

In case you are a North American Native, Inuit, Oriental, Norwegian, or Welsh-Irish, you again may not be able to convert ALA to DHA and EPA.

Conversion of ALA into DHA and EPA may be a problem only for some of you. This question really needs to be addressed. You need to know whether the ALA you are taking is really helping you or you should prefer to take fish oil instead.

You may decide whatever way you want. It's all for the benefit of your body. Protecting yourself from the possibility of many diseases. For the efforts you put in, you will be a much healthier person.

Converting Omega 3 ALA to DHA and EPA

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