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Omega-3 Myths
Omega-3 fatty acids have been receiving a great deal of coverage in all forms of media in recent years…so much so that it’s sometimes difficult to tell fact from fiction. You don’t need to become an Omega-3 expert, but it is a good idea to be informed. Information is power and you owe it to yourself to learn the truth about Omega-3 so you and your loved ones can make smart health choices.
Myth #1: Flax is a complete source of Omega-3s.
Fact: Flax and chia seeds, as well as some nuts and vegetable oils, can only provide you with the Omega-3 ALA (Alpha-Linolenic acid) — they do not contain the Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). Because EPA and DHA (found in fish oil) are the body’s preferred form of Omega-3 fatty acids, they are considered more important to your health than ALA (found in flax oil).
Unlike DHA, ALA does not accumulate to any significant extent in the critical tissues of the body (e.g. brain, retina, nervous system). In fact, the Institute of Medicine has stated that “ALA is not known to have any specific functions other than as a precursor to EPA and DHA.” Therefore, it’s important to consume fatty fish, such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon, or foods enriched with their oils, or supplements containing MEG-3®, to obtain enough EPA and DHA to meet your body’s daily requirements.
Myth #2: Our bodies make their own EPA and DHA.
Fact: It is theoretically possible for your body to make EPA and DHA from the ALA that you consume; however, the conversion process is inefficient, which means that even if you ingest large amounts of ALA, you will only produce small quantities of EPA and DHA. With a conversion rate of less than 1%, it’s highly unlikely that you would be able to consume enough ALA to get the EPA and DHA that your body needs for optimal health and wellness. That’s why it’s important to obtain EPA and DHA directly from fatty fish, fish oil supplements, or foods enriched with MEG-3®.
Myth #3: EPA and DHA foods cause weight gain.
Fact: Fatty fish contain EPA and DHA, and are among the best sources of “good” fat you can consume. MEG-3® also contains EPA and DHA, but it contains a minimal amount of fat, so it won’t appreciably increase the fat content of the food to which it is added. The surprising good news is that studies in children, adolescents, and adults have shown that EPA/DHA may contribute to weight loss and improved body composition!
Myth #4: Omega-3 fish oils have contaminants such as PCBs and mercury found in fish.
Fact: Most experts agree that because of the purification process they undergo, fish oil supplements or foods enriched with fish oils provide a much safer way to get adequate amounts of Omega-3 EPA/DHA than eating fish 5-7 times per week. MEG-3® is a pure, naturally sourced, and safe product. Any impurities that may be present within the crude fish oil used to make MEG-3® oils, such as PCBs, mercury, and dioxins, are removed before the fish oil is concentrated. In fact, MEG-3® oils conform to worldwide quality and purity standards, including those established by the European Commission, Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Myth #5: Omega-3 concentrates contain artificial substances.
Fact: There is no reason to add artificial substances to Omega-3 concentrates. MEG-3® oils come from 100% natural sources and no artificial ingredients are added.
Myth #6: Omega-3 oils have a fishy taste or smell.
Fact: Improperly refined Omega-3 oils may have a fishy taste or smell. However, MEG-3® and food products that contain MEG-3® do not. The fish oil in MEG-3® has minimal levels of oxidation, meaning it is exceptionally fresh and free of fishy taste and smell. Additionally, it’s encapsulated into microscopic particles by a natural shell coating, which has no texture, taste, or smell.
Check Your Sources!There’s no foolproof way to verify the validity of information. However, here are some quick and easy ways to research Omega-3 claims:
• Look for endorsements or seals of approval by health organizations you know
• Investigate approvals by organizations that you don’t recognize and try to determine their validity
• Look for precise claims backed with credible data
• Look for and check the scientific references cited by claims
• Look for further information, such as websites from independent sources
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What Is Omega-3
Health Benefits
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Daily Requirements
More than 8,000 studies published over the past 35 years have consistently shown that Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) are important to your health throughout every stage of your life. However, most people don’t consume enough Omega-3 EPA/DHA in their daily diet to satisfy their bodies’ needs ...
Omega-3 Myths
Omega-3 Myths Omega-3 fatty acids have been receiving a great deal of coverage in all forms of media in recent years…so much so that it’s sometimes difficult to tell fact from fiction. You don’t need to become an Omega-3 expert, but it is a good idea to be informed. Information is power and you owe it to yourself to learn the truth about Omega-3 so ...
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