There are three principal sorts of omega-3 fat: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). DHA and EPA are concentrated in seafood, whereas ALA will be present in sure plant meals, like walnuts.
Walnuts are an excellent supply of ALA (they comprise 2.57 grams per ounce), however consuming different meals naturally wealthy in EPA and DHA, like seafood, is a greater method to enhance your ranges of those omega-3 fat.
Omega-3s: 8.5 grams of ALA per tablespoon
Flaxseed oil is the richest plant supply of plant-based omega-3s you may eat.
Research present that flaxseed oil might have heart-protective and anti inflammatory properties.
Flaxseed oil has a low smoke level of simply 217 levels Fahrenheit, so it’s not appropriate for cooking. It needs to be taken as a complement or used as a ending oil for dishes like salads.
Omega-3s: 7.26 grams of ALA per tablespoon
Chia seeds are excessive in ALA. They’re additionally wealthy in vital vitamins, like fiber.
Simply 2 tablespoons of chia seeds cowl about 35% of your day by day fiber wants. Fiber helps assist intestine well being by maintaining bowel actions common and comfy and supporting the expansion of useful micro organism within the giant gut.
Fiber additionally helps wholesome levels of cholesterol, which might decrease your threat of coronary heart illness.
Omega-3s: 4.4 grams of ALA per 2-tablespoon serving
Like flax oil, flaxseeds are excessive in ALA.
Flaxseeds are excessive in fiber and magnesium, that are vitamins that assist coronary heart well being and wholesome blood sugar regulation.
A 2022 research that included 19 males with kind 2 diabetes discovered that those that ate 15 grams of flaxseeds earlier than breakfast skilled a 17% discount in post-meal blood sugar in comparison with a management group.
Omega-3s: 1.5 grams of DHA and 0.938 grams of EPA per tablespoon
Cod liver oil is a superb supply of DHA and EPA. Consuming sources of EPA and DHA is the easiest way to extend your blood ranges of those important fatty acids.
Along with DHA and EPA, cod liver oil additionally accommodates excessive ranges of vitamin A, which is important for imaginative and prescient, immune perform, cognitive perform, and reproductive well being.
Omega-3s: 1.24 grams of DHA and 0.59 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving
Salmon is excessive in DHA and EPA. Additionally it is wealthy in protein, potassium, B12, B6, selenium, and the highly effective carotenoid antioxidant astaxanthin.
Astaxanthin is a pigment that has cellular-protective properties. Research present that frequently consuming astaxanthin-rich meals, like salmon, might assist mind well being and shield towards age-related circumstances.
Omega-3s: 0.94 grams of DHA and 0.77 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving
Herring is commonly beneficial as a wholesome seafood selection because it’s a lot decrease within the heavy steel mercury than bigger fish, comparable to tuna, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel.
Mercury can accumulate within the physique and hurt well being, so selecting seafood with decrease mercury ranges can cut back one’s publicity to mercury.
Omega-3s: 0.74 grams of DHA and 0.45 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving
Sardines are a wonderful supply of omega-3s. Actually, they’re such an excellent supply that consuming extra sardines might cut back your want for omega-3 dietary supplements.
Sardines additionally present protein, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and different vitamins which are vital for well being.
Omega-3s: 0.366 grams of DHA and 0.216 grams of EPA per ounce
Anchovies could also be small, however they’re full of vitamins, together with omega-3s.
In addition they comprise a formidable quantity of nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with calcium, which is vital for coronary heart and bone well being and is required for oxygen transport, vitality manufacturing, and hormone synthesis.
Omega-3s: 0.59 grams of DHA and 0.43 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving
Mackerel is a fatty fish that’s excessive in omega-3s and full of protein, vitamin D, B12, selenium, magnesium, and B6.
Remember that King mackerel needs to be prevented, because it’s excessive in mercury. Atlantic mackerel could be very low in mercury and is a wholesome seafood possibility.
Omega-3s: 0.44 grams of DHA and 0.40 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving
Trout is a wealthy supply of omega-3s, and it is also excessive in vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates irritation, helps immune well being, and promotes the absorption of calcium.
Trout is likely one of the few meals excessive in vitamin D. A 3-ounce serving covers 81% of your day by day wants.
Omega-3s: 0.14 g ALA, 0.23g DHA, and 0.30g EPA per 3-ounce serving
Oysters are an excellent supply of omega-3s. They’re additionally excessive in protein and nutritional vitamins and minerals like B12, zinc, and selenium.
A 3-ounce serving of oysters covers 47.4% of your day by day wants for selenium, a mineral that performs essential roles in immune and thyroid perform and acts as a robust antioxidant within the physique.
Omega-3s: 0.47 grams of DHA and 0.18 EPA per 3-ounce serving
Although it accommodates fewer omega-3s than fattier fish, consuming sea bass can assist enhance your omega-3 consumption.
Sea bass is excessive in protein and is an effective supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals, like vitamin B6. B6 is required for immune perform, neurotransmitter synthesis, and the formation of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying element of pink blood cells.
A 3-ounce serving of sea bass covers 23% of your day by day wants for vitamin B6.
Omega-3s: 0.60 grams of DHA and 0.48 grams of EPA per tablespoon
Caviar is a seafood delicacy that’s full of omega-3s. Additionally it is an excellent supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals, like B12, a nutrient that’s required for pink blood cell manufacturing, neurological perform, metabolism, and DNA synthesis.
A tablespoon of caviar covers over 100% of your day by day B12 wants.
Omega-3s: 0.12 grams of DHA and 0.12 EPA per 3-ounce serving
Shrimp can also be excessive in protein and an excellent supply of astaxanthin, a robust antioxidant that protects cells towards oxidative injury.
Omega-3s: 0.54 grams of DHA and 0.2 grams of EPA per 3-ounce serving
Tuna is a shelf-stable seafood possibility that’s excessive in omega-3s.
Tuna can also be excessive in different vitamins, like B6, B12, selenium, magnesium, and vitamin E, all of that are important for well being.
Walnuts are excessive in ALA, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Although walnuts present ALA, there are many different meals which are increased in ALA and that comprise DHA and EPA.
Flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, and chia seeds are higher sources of ALA than walnuts, whereas seafood like salmon, sardines, and trout comprise excessive ranges of DHA and EPA.
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