Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
By now, most people know that omega-3 fatty acids help
to prevent heart attacks, and that they can get lots of omega-3
fatty acids from fish.
But most people do not know that the
omega-3 fatty acids in seeds such as whole grains may be even
more important in maintaining your health than the omega-3 fatty
acids found in fish. Virtually every plant source of omega-3's also
contains vitamin E, while fish oils are low in vitamin E. All
omega-3's break down very quickly when exposed to oxygen in
your body, and vitamin E stabilizes them so they are more
effective.
Omega-3s found in fish oils are mostly long chain fatty
acids. Omega-3s in plants, particularly seeds, contain much
shorter chains and are weaker than the omega-3s found in fish.
However, the shorter chain omega-3s, particularly alpha-linolenic
acid (ALA), found in leafy greens and seeds are converted to the
long chain fatty acids in the human body. To meet your needs
for short chain omega-3 fatty acids found in plants, eat lots of
green leafy vegetables, and seeds such as flaxseed, whole
grains, beans and nuts.