Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids *Really* That Important To My Overall Health?

Omega-3 fats are a family of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (aka PUFAs), which are distinguished from saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids because they contain two or more double carbon-carbon bonds within the fatty acid chain. There are three main types of omega-3s: ALA, DHA, and EPA.

Let's back it up for a second and speak to that weekly fish recommendation. In 2000, the American Heart Association (AHA) published a formal dietary recommendation of two servings of (ideally fatty) fish per week in the journal Circulation. This is the starting point for the general population, and that amount of fish intake comes out to approximately 500 milligrams of EPA and DHA per day to support overall and heart health.*

Starting points are good places to begin, but the AHA goes on to recommend a higher marine omega-3 intake (1 gram and up of EPA and DHA daily) for focused cardioprotective and cardiovascular benefits.* These higher amounts of omega-3 fats optimally support your body's need for omega-3s, which are used for critical cell membrane functions8 throughout the body, among all the other incredible health benefits omega-3s provide.*

Sure, we can (and should) eat more fatty fish to ensure we're getting these healthy omega-3s that our bodies need. This, of course, isn't feasible for everyone—especially those who live far from the coast and don't always have access to fresh fish.

Even if you do live close to the Pacific or Atlantic, unless you plan on packing your diet with grilled salmon, tinned anchovies and sardines, and tuna fish sandwiches multiple times a week, it might be time to consider a high-quality fish oil supplement. 

A robustly formulated, high-potency omega-3 supplement is a targeted and prudent strategy to achieve daily omega-3 needs throughout life. Each serving of mindbodygreen's omega-3 potency+ provides 1,500 milligrams of DHA and EPA daily. That's the omega-3 equivalent of approximately one serving of fatty fish (e.g., anchovies) per day.†

Yes, you really do need omega-3 fatty acids. And yes, it can be difficult to get enough fish in your diet to ensure your body is getting all the EPA and DHA it needs—but it doesn't have to be!