Omega 3 Capsules

Omega 3 capsules can provide the essential fatty acids that your body needs, as these important nutrients are often depleted in many of the foods we eat. However it is important to find a high quality supplement to ensure that you are getting the maximum amount of omega 3 EFAs.

Through a long and rich history of scientific inquiry, both dietary and supplemental sources of omega 3 oils have revealed their effectiveness in treating disease and maintaining overall health. Because significant dietary changes have made it difficult to reach a healthy balance of omega 3s from food sources alone, the popularity of omega 3 capsules has grown in response to these findings, and a variety of supplements are now widely available.

What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

The three omega 3 fatty acids are called ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). ALA is the primary omega 3 fatty acid in that it can be converted in the body to EPA and later to DHA, both vital nutrients in the healthy function of the brain and cardiovascular system. Omega 3 pills contain various combinations of these three, but not all combinations are equally beneficial because this conversion process is in general very inefficient.

Omega 3 oils containing only ALA, like flaxseed oil supplements, are therefore not as effective in increasing the amount of EPA and DHA available to the body. Omega 3 supplements that provide EPA and DHA directly, in particular those containing oils from fatty fish like tuna and salmon, are not dependent on the conversion of ALA and may therefore provide the maximum benefits of supplementation.

The omega 3s are one of the two types of essential fatty acids (EFAs) that are absolutely necessary but cannot be synthesized in the body. EFAs are used in the formation and function of cellular membranes, and in the manufacture of hormone-like molecules that influence and regulate vital body processes, including heart rate, blood pressure, and immune response.

The second of the EFAs needed for all these processes are the omega-6 fatty acids, and some omega 3 capsules contain supplemental quantities of omega-6 as well. It is generally suggested that these supplements not be used, since our dietary intake of omega-6 fatty acids already far exceeds that of the omega 3s (mostly because of an increase in our consumption of processed vegetable oils). Because ALA has to compete with the primary omega-6 fatty acid for the same enzymes in its conversion to EPA and DHA, such an imbalance in the relative concentrations of the two EFAs can result in EPA and DHA levels that are insufficient to maintain normal body processes.

What are the best supplements?

Omega 3 pills containing natural triglycerides from fish oils are the most common sources of EPA and DHA. Care should be taken when purchasing these fish oil supplements, since they can vary greatly in their taste and digestibility, and they are not required to undergo a strict purification process to remove mercury and other contaminants like PCBs.

If you are looking for high quality omega 3 capsules then take a look at a natural fish oil supplement containing the highest concentrations of DHA and EPA, the two essential fatty acids with the most benefits for your body.