Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that have numerous benefits for health.
However, not all omega-3 fatty acids are equal.
There are actually 11 different types. The three most important ones are ALA, EPA and DHA.
ALA is mostly found in plants, while EPA and DHA are mostly found in animal foods like fatty fish.
This article takes a detailed look at these three main types of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Recap
Like all fatty acids, omega-3s are chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated, meaning they have two or more double bonds (poly = many) in their chemical structure.
Just like the omega-6s, omega-3 fatty acids cannot be made by the body and we must get them from the diet. This is why they are termed essential fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are not simply stored and used for energy. They have important roles in all sorts of bodily processes, including inflammation, heart health and brain function.
Being deficient in omega-3s is associated with lower intelligence, depression, heart disease, arthritis, cancer and many other health problems (1, 2).
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