Omega-3s

Part 1: Basics

• Background
  • α-linolenic acid (ALA)
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
• Health Benefits
• Omega-3 Status of Vegetarians and Vegans
• Improving Omega-3 Status in Vegetarians and Vegans
• Daily Needs
• More Information

Part 2: Research

• Introduction to the Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Essential Fatty Acids: ALA and LA
• Essential Fatty Acid Intakes of Vegans
• Long-chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Blood Levels of Vegetarians
• Vegetarians vs. Fish-Eaters
• Fatty Acid Levels of Older vs. Younger Vegans
• Impacts of Lower EPA and DHA on Vegetarians
• Conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA
• ALA Supplementation Results in Little Increase in Blood DHA
• EPA and DHA Correlate between Plasma and the Heart but not the Brain
• Tissues Contain Enzymes that Convert Omega-3s
• Dietary DHA Reduces ALA Conversion
• Lower Omega-6 Intake is Associated with Higher Serum EPA and DHA
• Low Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio Foods
• DHA Supplementation in Vegetarians
• Omega-3 Recommendations for Vegans
• Vegetarian Pregnancy and Children
• Omega-3s and Chronic Disease
• Omega-3s and Cardiovascular Disease
• Fish Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease
• Omega-3 Supplementation and Cardiovascular Disease
• Omega-3s and Cognition
• Omega-3s and Depression
• Risk of Depression
• Treatment for Depression
• Omega-3s and Increased Risk of Disease
• Prostate Cancer
• Eyesight

Part 3—Plant Sources

• Flax
• Camelina
• Chia
• Hemp

Part 4—Table of Plant Fats and Oils

The Fatty Acids

• Saturated Fats
• Trans Fats
• Monounsaturated Fats
• Polyunsaturated Fats
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
    • Alpha-linolenic Acid
    • Stearidonic Acid
    • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
    • Docosapentaenoic Acid
    • Docosahexaenoic Acid
  • Omega-6 Fatty Acids
    • Linoleic Acid
    • Gamma Linolenic Acid
    • Dihomo Gamma Linolenic Acid
    • Arachidonic Acid
  • PUFA Conversion Pathways
• References