Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that have numerous benefits for health.
However, not all omega-3 fatty acids are equal.
There are actually 11 different types. The three most important ones are ALA, EPA and DHA.
ALA is mostly found in plants, while EPA and DHA are mostly found in animal foods like fatty fish.
This article takes a detailed look at these three main types of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Recap
Like all fatty acids, omega-3s are chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated, meaning they have two or more double bonds (poly = many) in their chemical structure.
Just like the omega-6s, omega-3 fatty acids cannot be made by the body and we must get them from the diet. This is why they are termed essential fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are not simply stored and used for energy. They have important roles in all sorts of bodily processes, including inflammation, heart health and brain function.
Bottom Line: Omega-3 fatty acids are a group of polyunsaturated fats that we must get from the diet. They have numerous benefits for health.
1. ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)
ALA is short for alpha-linolenic acid. This is the most common omega-3 fatty acid in the diet.
It is 18 carbons long, with three double bonds.
ALA is mostly found in plant foods, and needs to be converted into the EPA or DHA before it can be utilized by the human body.
When ALA is not converted to EPA or DHA, it remains inactive and is simply stored or used as energy, like other fats.
Some observational studies have found an association between a diet rich in ALA and a reduced risk of heart disease deaths, while others have found an increased risk of prostate cancer (7).
This increase in prostate cancer risk was not associated with the other main omega-3 types, EPA and DHA, which actually had a protective effect (8).
Some seed oils, such as flaxseed oil and rapeseed (canola) oil are also high in ALA.
Bottom Line: ALA is short for alpha-linolenic acid. It is mostly found in plant foods, and needs to be converted into EPA or DHA in order to become active in the human body.
2. EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
EPA is short for eicosapentaenoic acid. It is 20 carbons long, with 5 double bonds.
Its main function is to form signaling molecules called eicosanoids, which play numerous physiological roles.
Eicosanoids made from omega-3s reduce inflammation, while those made from omega-6s tend to increase inflammation (9).
For this reason, a diet high in EPA may reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic, low-level inflammation is known to drive several common diseases (10).
One study also found that EPA reduced the number of hot flashes experienced by menopausal women (13).
Both EPA and DHA are mostly found in seafood, including fatty fish and algae. For this reason, they are often called marine omega-3s.
EPA concentrations are highest in herring, salmon, eel, shrimp and sturgeon. Grass-fed animal products, such as dairy and meats, also contain some EPA.
Bottom Line: EPA is short for eicosapentaenoic acid. It is an omega-3 fatty acid that can reduce symptoms of depression and help fight inflammation in the body.
3. DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid. It is 22 carbons long, with 6 double bonds.
DHA is an important structural component of skin and the retina in the eye (14).
Fortifying baby formula with DHA leads to improved vision in infants (15).
DHA is absolutely vital for brain development and function in childhood, as well as brain function in adults.
Early-life DHA deficiency is associated with problems later on, such as learning disabilities, ADHD, aggressive hostility and several other disorders (16).
A decrease in DHA during aging is also associated with impaired brain function and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (17).
DHA is also reported to have positive effects on diseases such as arthritis, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some cancers (18).
The role of DHA in heart disease is also well established. It can reduce blood triglycerides, and may lead to fewer harmful LDL particles (19).
As mentioned before, DHA is found in high amounts in seafood, including fatty fish and algae. Grass-fed animal products also contain some DHA.
Bottom Line: DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid. It is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that is very important for brain development. It may also help protect against heart disease, cancer and other health problems.
Conversion Process: From ALA to EPA to DHA
ALA, the most common omega-3 fat, needs to be converted into EPA or DHA to become “active” (3).
Furthermore, the conversions are dependent on adequate levels of other nutrients, such as vitamins B6 and B7, copper, calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. Many of these are lacking in the modern diet, especially among vegetarians (23).
The low conversion rate is also because omega-6 fatty acids compete for the same enzymes needed for the conversion process. Therefore, the high amount of omega-6 in the modern diet can reduce the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA (5, 24).
Bottom Line: ALA is not biologically active in the body. It needs to be converted into EPA and/or DHA in order to become active, but this conversion process is inefficient in humans.
8 Other Omega-3 Fatty Acids
ALA, EPA and DHA are the most abundant omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.
However, at least 8 other omega-3 fatty acids have been discovered:
- Hexadecatrienoic acid (HTA).
- Stearidonic acid (SDA).
- Eicosatrienoic acid (ETE).
- Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA).
- Heneicosapentaenoic acid (HPA).
- Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA).
- Tetracosapentaenoic acid.
- Tetracosahexaenoic acid.
These fatty acids are found in some foods, but are not considered essential. However, some of of them do have biological effects.
Bottom Line: At least 8 other omega-3 fatty acids have been discovered. They are found in some foods, and can have biological effects.
Which Omega-3 Fatty Acid is Best?
The most important omega-3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA.
If you don’t eat a lot of these foods, then omega-3 supplements can be useful.