Omega Oil
There are many different types of omega oil, but in this article, I will focus on a specific type of omega oil known as omega-3. I will examine the different types of omega-3 oil, their sources, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, which constitutes omega-3 oil, can be broken down into three separate fatty acids- alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoid acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). It is important to distinguish these different omega-3 oils because they have different effects and are found in different products.
What are the different kinds of omega oil?
There are many types of omega-3 oil. Omega-3 oil is derived from a variety of sources including fish, nuts, seeds and sea plants. However not all omega-3 oil is the same. I mentioned earlier that there are three different types of omega-3 oil. Some omega-3 oils have different make ups and include more or less of the aforementioned omega oils.
Fish oil is probably the most popular omega oil. Fish oil contains mostly EPA and DHA which have many great health benefits. Similar to fish oil, salmon oil or krill oil contains high levels of EPA and DHA as well. There is very little, if any, ALA found in fish, salmon or krill oil. These oils can be found in liquid, gelatin capsule or chewable form.
Flax seed oil is another well- known omega-3 oil. Unlike fish, salmon or krill oil, flax seed oil is derived from flax seeds, a plant source. Flax seed oil contains very little, if any EPA and DHA and contains mostly ALA. The interesting thing about ALA is that it is converted into EPA and DHA in the body however the conversion process is not very efficient and varies between individuals.
Similarly to fish oils, the flax seed oil can be found in liquid and pill form. It should be noted that flax seed oil has a tendency to turn rancid, so it is best bought refrigerated and careful consideration should be made on buying a quality product.
Read my comparison on flaxseed oil vs fish oil!
What omega oil has the best benefits?
While there are many omega oils, and many have great benefits, fish oil seems to have the best benefits and be the best oil overall. I will list a few reasons why I believe fish oil is the superior omega oil compared to others.
Here are a few reasons:
- Fish oil has high levels of EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA have a laundry list of beneficial effects in the body. Flax seed and other omega-3 oils just do not compare. If you are wondering what fish oil is good for look no further!
- Many derivatives of fish oil. As I previously mentioned, there are many different types of fish oil such as salmon oil and krill oil. A greater selection allows an individual to pick and choose between the best available omega-3 oils on the market.
- Different forms of fish oil. Fish oil can be found in all different forms ranging from liquid, to gelatin capsule to even chewable! If you are interested in fish oil, but are reluctant to take pills, you may be interested in liquid fish oil. You may be interested in fish oil for kids but cannot get them to take liquid oil or swallow pills- try the chewable form!
Summary:
With so many omega oils and omega-3 options out there, it can be quite cumbersome to choose the right one for your health goals. Omega-3 fish oil seems to be the superior oil for several reasons outlined above. If you still have doubts, check out all the great information I have outlined on the right hand side. If you are interested in trying omega-3 oil for the first time, I highly recommend that you purchase online, as it is more cost effective than purchasing in the store. In addition, there are many more options available online!