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Those aren’t the only reasons omega-3 fatty acids are considered critical, though.
That’s where things get a little confusing.
Should we really be pitting these two categories of omega-3-rich sources against each other at all?
Here’s what you better know.
What are omega-3s, really?
Quick recap:Omega-3 fatty acidsare technically a class of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
“However, fish are not the primary producers of EPA and DHA.
“Theprimary producers are actually algae, which produce plant-based omega-3 DHA; some make EPA as well.”
Why do these omega-3s matter?
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And other dietitians agree.
The latter is way better than the former in terms of health,"* shares Harris.
And the AHA agrees with him.
It’s a dose-response relationship.
Moreismore in this case.
This marine omega-3 pair are certainly “conditionally essential.”
Ferira concludes, “Whether ‘essential’ or ‘conditionally essential,’ those are just semantics created by humans.
So yes, these marine omega-3s have all the makings of anessentialnutrient.
I’m not anti-ALA.
I’m pro ALA, EPA, and DHA!”
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Are marine omega-3s better than plant omega-3s?
This is where things get a little complicated.
EPA and DHA certainlyareimportant, which is why it’s recommended that we regularly eat fish.
However, there are environmental and health reasons not to go this route, in Hunnes' opinion.
Other experts, though, disagree.
Functional medicine doctorMark Hyman, M.D.,takes a similar stance.
So, they suggest seeking out additional sources of these two omega-3s.
(Much less those 1-gram-plus doses for your heart health.
“They are simply different chemical compounds with different biological actions,” he urges.
This is especially true for people who follow a dietary pattern that excludes seafood or other sources of omega-3s.
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