[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Forsaken

And by bite into the pill, do you mean to break the coating?

Yes, bite into the capsule and taste the oil.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Cooz

um...can someone explain to me the difference between EPA and DHA?

i tried looking it up the other day and couldn't really find anything. i THINK one of them can only be found in fish (well both can...but on is exclusive to fish).

I also wonder if the ratio makes a difference? usually fish oil supplements are fairly balanced in both, but I believe it was biotest's flame out that had a very one sided ratio.

The body can convert ALA(found in flax oil) to DHA and EPA, just at a very poor rate. So neither of them are exclusive only to fish oil.

A standard fish oil supplement will yield 120mg:180mg of DHA:EPA per 1000 mg of oil.

Flameout is a fish oil product that has a higher DHA:EPA ratio than standard products. Their reasoning is that men need more DHA, yadda yadda yadda. Whether that's true or not I'm not sure, but it's pretty pricey for a fish oild product with added CLA. Just buy regular fish oil.

[Pap Smear]

Do you fellers eat fish while taking fish oil too?

[MikeMartial]

Links added bitches.

Originally Posted by erco

Might want to further emphasize the benefits of fish oil and omega-3's. Improved body composition (mobilization of fatty tissue), cardiac function, brain health, immune response, etc. Might also want to explain anti-inflammatory for the newb omelettes out there also.

Done. The links provide ample examples of how fish oil works, and how it can help with specific conditions.

The anti-inflammtory action was outlined in the explanation of the O3 to O6 ratio...I think. It seems clear to me, but if it's not (and please tell me), I'll tweak it.

Originally Posted by erco

Color code that bitch.

I would have been disappointed if you didn't mention anything about that.

Originally Posted by Lubalong

Second, there are botanical sources of both DHA and EPA. Most of the vegan omega 3 supplements you'll see (other than ALA of course) only have DHA from microalgae. Some companies are now selling vegan EPA (which can be found in spirulina & brown algae), but they are pretty dang expensive.

Note added, thank you for pointing that out.

[Lubaolong]

MikeMartial,

The three essential omega-3 fatty acids for human nutrition are ALA, DHA, and EPA. There's always a lot of talk about taking fish oil for DHA & EPA, but not so much about flaxseed for ALA. This thread is a perfect example. Why make a thread about the importance of EFA's and hardly mention ALA?

[erco]

ALA isn't used in as many ****bolic processes as EPA or DHA. Also, ALA is readily available in most vegetable oils (primarily canola and olive).

[Lubaolong]

Originally Posted by erco

ALA isn't used in as many ****bolic processes as EPA or DHA. Also, ALA is readily available in most vegetable oils (primarily canola and olive).

ALA is technically the only essential omega-3 fatty acid, because it can't be synthesized by humans. So that would technically make it the most important.

About your canola oil comment, the same thing could be said about EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are readily available in fish and fish oils, but people aren't willing to eat fish each day. If they aren't willing to eat fish, why would they be willing to take 2 tbsp of canola oil, which is more calories and way less protein than the fish? I think most people would prefer to take an ALA supplement, just like they would prefer to take the EPA and DHA supplements.

[WCLegend90]

Great post Mike

[MikeMartial]

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

MikeMartial,

The three essential omega-3 fatty acids for human nutrition are ALA, DHA, and EPA. There's always a lot of talk about taking fish oil for DHA & EPA, but not so much about flaxseed for ALA. This thread is a perfect example. Why make a thread about the importance of EFA's and hardly mention ALA?

This thread is about supplementing with fish oil; the brief explanation of omega-3s and 6s was to give a basic understanding of how it works. This isn't a thread about EFAs.

Yes, ALA needs to be obtained from diet, that's not an arguable point, and that's why it's listed as an EFA. I mention ALA in the context that it's a poor choice if one is trying to increase EPA and DHA.

[Connors]

+1.

Good Read.