Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are classified as Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s). They have to be obtained through your diet because the body cannot manufacture them.
Types of Essential Fatty Acids
The main essential fatty acids in the human diet are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Foods that provide omega-3 fatty acids include oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, salmon, and tuna, fish oil and certain plant and nut oils, while omega-6 fatty acids can be found in palm, soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oils. Omega-9 fatty acids, which are not considered essential, can be found in animal fat and olive oil.
Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to provide a wide range of health benefits, including a lower risk of coronary heart disease and improvement in cholesterol. There have also been promising results from studies looking at omega-3 for brain health, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
There is evidence that recommended amounts of DHA and EPA, taken as fish or fish oil supplements, may lower triglycerides and reduce the risk of heart attack, abnormal heartbeat, and stroke in people who have heart disorders. DHA and EPA may also benefit people who have hardening of the arteries or high blood pressure.
While seeds provide Linolenic acid, Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) & docosahexanoic acid (DHA) are the most beneficial omega-3 essential fatty acids. EPA and DHA have been shown to maintain a healthy heart, brain and vision. Alpha Linolenic Acid (present in seeds or plant oils) needs to be converted to EPA and DHA in order to offer these benefits.