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Fish oil benefits for skin1/19/2024 ![]() ![]() Some studies have shown that consuming a lot of ALA does indeed boost blood levels of EPA, but hardly moves blood levels of DHA. Truth be told, the actual percentage is a little squishy. There’s a range of figures shown in various studies on conversion, but the consensus is that it’s never higher than 9 percent and usually considerably less. ![]() The big question is how much actually gets converted. It does this by the action of enzymes known as elongases and desaturases, and the end result is that some of that ALA you consume in flaxseed oil actually does get converted to EPA and DHA. Proponents of flaxseed oil like to point out-quite correctly, I might add-that the body can actually take the ALA found in flaxseed and convert it into the more “valuable” fatty acids, DHA and EPA. ![]() Coconut Oil: What’s the Difference Doesn’t ALA Get Converted to EPA and DHA? It’s simply that the omega-3 in flaxseed oil, ALA, hasn’t been convincingly shown in research to be as powerful a health modulator as the two omega-3s found in fish. And it’s not that there aren’t huge differences in quality among flaxseed oils. It’s not that flaxseed oil-with its high concentration of ALA-isn’t a good fat. They feared that manufacturers would add plant-based ALA to products such as energy bars and cereals, allowing them to legally claim these products were “high in omega-3s.” But scientists feared that this would be misleading to the public, since the benefits of ALA are not as well documented as the benefits of EPA and DHA. Why? Because the scientists feared that food manufacturers would take advantage of the fact that most people couldn’t distinguish among the various omega-3s. To give you an idea of the controversy, consider the following: The European Union instituted new labeling rules that established levels at which omega-3s must be present in food for them to bear the legend “source of omega-3s” or “high in omega-3s.” These labeling rules drew stern criticism from a prominent group of scientists studying omega-3s. The health benefits of ALA (found in flaxseed) are less clear. They are the true superstars of the small omega-3 kingdom. The vast majority of the research on the health benefits of omega-3s has been done on DHA and EPA. Fish and fish oil contain two very different omega-3s-EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). ALA, EPA, and DHA: the Most Important Omega-3sįlaxseeds and flaxseed oil contain a particular omega-3 fat called ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). But the dirty little secret about omega-3s is that the two found in fish and the one found in flax are quite different and may be anything but equal in their effects on human health. It’s entirely true that omega-3s are found in both flaxseed oil and fish oil. Omega-3s are a category with three members. But you might be wondering, which is better? The Great Debate: Fish or Flax? You probably already know that the best sources of omega-3s are fish oil and flaxseed oil. These “wellness molecules” are associated with healthier brains and hearts, improved mood, lowered inflammation, fewer cardiac arrhythmias, reduced joint pain, lowered triglycerides, and healthier skin and hair. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably already know how great omega-3 fats are for you. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! ![]()
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