What is Omega-3 fatty acid?
'''Omega-3 [[fatty acid]]s''' are [[polyunsaturated fat]]ty acids. They have a [[double bond]] three atoms away from the end [[methyl]] group. The most common sources for [[plant oil]]s are [[walnut]]s, [[hemp oil]] and [[flaxseed oil]]. Sources of animal omega-3 fats include [[egg (food)|eggs]], [[squid]] oils and [[fish]]. [[Dietary supplement]]ation does not affect the risk of [[cancer]], [[heart disease]] or [[death]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Omega-3 Fatty Acids|publisher=The National Institutes of Health|url=https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional|access-date=May 14, 2021}}</ref> They are not a main treatment for [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD), [[autism]] and other [[developmental disability|developmental disabilities]]. However, omega-3 supplements are often given to children with these conditions.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Novel Treatment for Autistic Spectrum Disorders|year=2005|publisher=Wiley Online|doi=10.1002/mrdd.20062|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mrdd.20062|access-date=May 14, 2021|last1=Levy|first1=Susan E.|last2=Hyman|first2=Susan L.|journal=Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews|volume=11|issue=2|pages=131–142|pmid=15977319}}</ref> [[File:ALAnumbering.svg|500px|left|thumb|Chemical structure of α-linolenic acid (ALA), a fatty acid with a chain of 18 carbons with three [[double bond]]s on carbons numbered 9, 12, and 15. ]] {{-}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Lipids}} [[Category:Lipids]] {{science-stub}} [[Category:Food supplements]]