Where are omega-3s found? From the sea to natural supplements

Now that you know what they are, it's time to find out where to get the Omega-3s your body so needs to stay healthy. Get ready: we're taking you to the sea!

Wondering where DHA and EPA, the most important omega-3 fatty acids, are found? These valuable nutrients are abundant in fish that inhabit cold waters, such as mackerel, halibut, sardines, salmon, and herring.

But that's not all: they are also present in perna canaliculus, a typical New Zealand mollusk used for centuries by the Maori people to keep healthy, and in the krill, crustaceans that inhabit the depths of Antarctic waters.

Dietary supplements: a more practical option
How often do these valuable sources of Omega-3 appear on your table? It is not always easy to ensure through your diet that you are getting the right amount of essential fatty acids. And that is precisely why dietary supplements exist.

In fact, EPA and DHA can also be taken in the form of fish, shellfish or microalgae oil supplements.

Keep in mind, however, that only fish oil provides both EPA and DHA. In fact, oil extracted from microalgae contains only trace amounts of EPA and considerable doses of Omega-6-the most abundant being arachidonic acid (ARA), a precursor of molecules with proinflammatory activity. For this reason, microalgae oil is considered an incomplete and unbalanced source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

One very important thing: when you choose to enrich your diet with Omega-3 supplements, make sure you are dealing with products that have a certificate of quality and guarantee of purity. The absence of residues of heavy metals (arsenic, lead, nickel), dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and other toxins must be certified. Due to industrial pollution, unfortunately, these health-damaging substances can accumulate in the seas and be absorbed by fish. And, thus, move up the food chain to reach us.

Be careful: choose natural supplementation you can trust. Seriously.