The Sherdogger's Guide To Fish Oil Supplementation - Page 3

Ian Coe · 01-31-2008, 10:58 AM

I hope my 2000 + fish oil pills are still good

I daren't bite them yet

**Sonny** · 01-31-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

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?

Well the thread is titled "The Sherdogger's Guide To Fish Oil Supplementation."

erco · 01-31-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lubaolong

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.

A. You cook with canola and olive oil.

B. You don't need very much ALA in your diet. Saying it's the most important is a pretty misguided since it doesn't serve near as many purposes as EPA or DHA.

Jubacat · 01-31-2008, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the write-up Mike.

And Ian, I still laugh every time I think about you/fish oil.

devilishstoner · 01-31-2008, 01:04 PM

thanks, very helpful.
question: my bottle of Spring Valley fish oil has a MEG-3 symbol and says that it's 99.99% purified, but no mention of molecular distillation. should i continue taking it?

**Sonny** · 01-31-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilishstoner

thanks, very helpful.
question: my bottle of Spring Valley fish oil has a MEG-3 symbol and says that it's 99.99% purified, but no mention of molecular distillation. should i continue taking it?

Yeah. It should be fine.

**Lubaolong** · 01-31-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

Well the thread is titled "The Sherdogger's Guide To Fish Oil Supplementation."

Right. That was part of my question. Why? Why not make it about Omega-3 fatty acids? It seems just as important to me to supplement with ALA as it does with EPA and DHA. I was just asking why everyone talks about fish oil but never about the other essential fatty acid ALA.

Cooz · 01-31-2008, 01:37 PM

because just like "omega 6" we get plenty of it in our diets (if we do indeed all have clean diets) and there is no need to supplement it.

i say this without any numbers or sources to back it up, but it's what i have in mind so i'm sure i read it somewhere before (or just made it uP)

**Lubaolong** · 01-31-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erco

A. You cook with canola and olive oil.

Well, some people might. A lot of people watching their calorie intake probably don't. Some people also probably get more than enough DHA and EPA from eating fish everyday. I eat a lot of omega-3 fortified foods, but I'm 100% positive I wouldn't get the recommended amounts every single day without supplements.

I was just asking why the other essential omega 3 fatty acid wasn't ever discussed around here. Most people don't get the recommended amount each day. That's all. Not trying to argue and no need for anyone to get uppity. I was just making conversation and trying to understand others' viewpoints.

**Lubaolong** · 01-31-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooz

because just like "omega 6" we get plenty of it in our diets (if we do indeed all have clean diets) and there is no need to supplement it.

If that's the case, then that's the kind of response I was looking for. That seems really hard for me to believe, but maybe everyone just eats a lot differently than I do.