Vitamins and Supplements FAQs

Any plant-based Omega-3 EFA supplement has the Omega-3 in the form of Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) which is a precursor that the body can convert into EPA and DHA, the primary active Omega-3s.  Fish Oil already has the Omega-3 in the EPA/DHA form, so you don’t need to worry about how well you are converting ALA.  From what we’ve read, conversion of ALA to EPA/DHA is only about 5% to begin with, but high Linoleic Acid (from polyunsaturated cooking oils like corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, cottonseed or processed food products with these oils) may further impair conversion of ALA into EPA/DHA.  Also, individuals who are diabetic or who smoke may also have difficulty with this conversion process.

The following product info should be helpful for comparing fatty acid profiles of several plant sources of Omega-3...

• Omega-3: Linolenic Acid (minimum 25%)
• Omega-6: Linoleic Acid (minimum 30%)
• Omega-9: Oleic Acid (minimum 15%) 

• Omega-3: ALA (alpha linolenic acid)  40-60%     
• Omega-6: Linoleic Acid  12-18%                  
• Omega-9: Oleic Acid  12-18%                      

• Omega-3: Linolenic Acid (1.5g) 11%
• Omega-6: Linoleic Acid (8g)  57%
• Omega-9: Oleic Acid (2g) 14%