Question about Omega 3?!
Question: Question about Omega 3?
I want Omega-3 for cognitive enhancement.
The kind I have right now says it has 250mg EPA. That's it. I've heard some also contains DHA or EFA.. Whatever. I'm not sure what I should be really taking, and how many.
Thanks.
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Tink isn't wrong that your body can convert ALA into DHA... but it doesn't do it as efficiently as taking the DHA itself for brain health.
To simplify, there are 3 sets of letters you're looking at, EPA, DHA, and EFA.
EFA is the short-hand for Essential Fatty Acids, which is the parent category that all the Omega-3s, Omega-6s, and Omega-9s are in. Since it's not an ingredient, it's not going to be listed as an ingredient, so you can ignore that as a short-hand.
EPA and DHA are the Essential Fatty Acids that are naturally in Fish Oil. EPA helps more with cholesterol support, heart health, and such; DHA is the one that's good for brain health ("cognitive enhancement" as you say). If you're looking for brain health, you could go for a good quality Fish Oil (especially one with more DHA in it) or you could get a DHA supplement (either from an algae or Fish Oil source) for the best benefit.
I hope that helps to clear it up!
Health/nutrition classes, personal experience, and personal research in my role as a Product Specialist for a vitamin company
I'm gonna make things even more confusing....
I'm gonna suggest ALA - which is the short chain omega three fatty acid found in flax seed...
Goes like this - ALA is the short chain, EPA and DHA are the long chain - your body can make the long chain out of the short chain, and that way you get the benefits of taking the short chain as well, in addition to getting the benefits of the omega-6's that your body will create by making GLA (the medium chain omega six) from the short chain omega six (LA) also found in flax....
I suggest the actual flax seed meal, about a tablespoon a day, just stirred up in a shot glass with water. No, it's not exactly tasty, but it has fiber and a lot of other great things in it as well...