Posted by Mistermindmasta on September 14, 2005, at 23:57:27
In reply to Balanced Omega-3s for VEGANS, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 10, 2005, at 10:10:46
> hi, i was reading that flaxseed oil has a poor balance of EPA and DHA, and that fish oil is still superior. this saddens me as i am very very vegan. i cannot find any algae oil either... what do i do? is there anywhere i get it at a reasonable price, or maybe there is a product other than the algae oil i should be looking at?
Flax oil has no EPA or DHA. Fish oil does. Algae somehow is able to synthesize DHA, but not EPA. Since you're vegetarian, Flax oil is a very good source of alpha linolenic acid, an immediate precursor to both EPA and DHA in the body. The assumption, however, is that your body can manufacture optimal amounds of EPA and DHA from the ALA in flax oil. Studies have shown that this enzyme actually is not very active in some people. The point is that for some people, supplementing flax oil leaves a lot ALA laying around in the body and not enough DHA and EPA. How do you know if your body isnt making enough? I really don't know. Maybe there's some laboratory work your doc can do to make sure your ok on that enzyme. In any case, Flax oil in moderate amounts is a good idea and your body will at least be converting *some* into the usable EPA and DHA forms.
poster:Mistermindmasta
thread:553181
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050812/msgs/555219.html