By Dayna Winter, M.S., R.D. Omega-3 fatty acids continue to make
big news in the world of health and nutrition—and it turns out
their stellar reputation is well deserved. For instance, select
population studies and clinical trials have shown that omega-3s
support a healthy heart. Some studies have also shown that
omega-3s play a positive role in inflammation, support healthy
triglyceride levels and have other positive health benefits.
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic
acid (ALA), eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA) and docosahexaeonic acid
(DHA). EPA and DHA are commonly referred to as “fish oils”
because these are the main omega-3s in fish. Health experts have
yet to come up with an official recommendation for EPA and DHA,
but about 500 mg daily is a good number to aim for. The current
recommendation for ALA is 1.1 g daily for women and 1.6 g for
men. ALA is found in vegetable oils, like soybean, canola and
flaxseed; it is also found in walnuts, flax and pumpkin seeds,
purslane and eggs,