Ingredient Information: Fish omega-3s, very rich in DHA
Omega-3 fatty acids are often found in dietary supplements. However, their quality and composition vary considerably. What are omega-3s? What are the specific characteristics of omega-3s derived from fish?
What are omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids, also noted as ω3, are polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Some omega-3s are considered essential fatty acids because the body cannot produce them itself and must obtain them through diet.
This is particularly the case with alpha-linolenic acid (or ALA), which is an essential fatty acid because it cannot be synthesized by the body and constitutes the first essential building block for the synthesis of other omega-3s, such as EPA, which can be synthesized by the body from ALA.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a long chain made of carbon atoms. This long chain contains unsaturates , which are double bonds between two carbon atoms. The first unsaturation occurs at the third carbon atom located at the end of this chain, denoted ω (omega), which is how these molecules got their name.
What is the role of omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are among the main building blocks of cell membranes. Indeed, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are incorporated into membrane phospholipids . They play an important structural role in membranes and participate in modulating membrane fluidity.
They are also used in the synthesis of signaling molecules in the body, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxane.
What are the benefits of omega-3?
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential components of cell membranes and help to modulate their fluidity.
Omega-3 fatty acids have numerous beneficial effects on the body. For omega-3s to be effective and have a positive impact, they must be consumed in a sufficiently high quantity relative to omega-6 intake. A ratio of approximately 4 between omega-6 and omega-3 consumption is recommended. Currently, there is a tendency to consume far too much omega-6 compared to omega-3.
Omega-3 consumption contributes to:
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to lower blood triglyceride levels
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maintain normal cholesterol levels
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are beneficial for cardiovascular function
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are essential for the proper functioning and structure of the brain
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contribute to the proper functioning of the vision
What is DHA?
DHA , or docosahexaenoic acid , is an omega-3 fatty acid produced from ALA (and by extension, EPA). It is essential for many physiological functions. While it can be synthesized from ALA, this omega-3 is considered indispensable and must be obtained through diet. Indeed, the conversion from EPA is insufficient, and it is very common for dietary intake to be inadequate.
It is therefore necessary to find food sources that provide DHA. Unfortunately, vegetable oils do not contain DHA, so specific sources such as oily fish or dietary supplements (fish oils and algae oils rich in omega-3) must be used.
What are the benefits of omega-3 derived from wild fish oils?
Rigorously selected fish oils provide a concentrated source of DHA.
There is a wide variety of fish oil qualities on the market. At Phytocea, we have selected an oil from wild fish, very rich in DHA and of excellent quality.
The advantage of very good fish oils is that they allow the intake of a large quantity of DHA with excellent quality and at a cost much lower than micro-algae oils.
Omega 3 concentrated in DHA in Phytocea food supplements
At Phytocea , we offer a supplement containing a very high amount of DHA: OMega+. OMega+ is a food supplement made from wild fish oil. OMega+ contains an exceptional amount of DHA: just one capsule provides 250 mg of DHA, which is the recommended daily intake and the dose necessary for normal vision.
The omega 3s contained in OMega+ are of excellent quality for a particularly well-controlled cost.
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Sources
Calder PC. Docosahexaenoic Acid. Ann Nutr Metab. 2016;69 Suppl 1:7-21. doi:10.1159/000448262
