Anyone know about long chain Omega 3??

[gabriele]

Does anyone have information concerning long chain Omega 3's and where to find them if you are a vegan/raw eater?

Apparently, from what i've read on the internet, the Omega 3's found in flaxseed oil, walnuts and other vegetable sources is of the SHORT kind and apparently we also need the LONG kind of Omega 3 chains found in seafood, for example.

I really don't want to start eating seafood!! If Omega 3 long chains are necessary for humans then where do you find them in the raw/vegan world?

so confused......

[gabriele]

here is what i was reading:

What is the difference between long-chain and short-chain omega-3s?

Not all omega-3s are created equal. There are "long-chain" and
"short-chain" omega-3 molecules. The distinction refers to the number of carbon atoms that comprise them.


The shorter chains contain 18 carbon atoms (Alpha linolenic acid-ALA), while the long contain 20 (Eicosapentanoic-EPA) or 22 (Docosahexanoic-DHA). Short chain omega-3s are contained in vegetable and plant sources such as walnuts, flaxseed oil and leafy green vegetables.

Since the human body requires the long-chain forms, vegetable source omega 3s are of relatively limited nutritional value. While some may be converted to the longer form, the process is inefficient, with only about 5% or so ultimately being converted. The conversion efficiency is dependent upon diet and the availability of enzymes required to complete it.

For this reason it is important to eat food sources of the long-chain omega-3s like cold water fish. EPA has anti-inflammatory properties, and is more relevant to regulating mood than DHA. DHA, however, is also key for healthy cells and is found in high concentrations in the brain, retina and sperm, and is especially crucial for pregnant and nursing women and infants.

[Dimond]

It's seriously not something you need to worry about on raw. Just eat Omega 3 foods and you should be fine: Hemp, chia seeds, English walnuts, Olive oil, Leafy green vegetables, pumpkin seeds, flax, butternut squash, winter squash.

[Dimond]

Algae foods/supplements are substitutes.

[lacdouglas]

You can find algae based DHA and people do convert short chain efa's into long chain ones. But, the conversion rate may be very low. So, don't assume you can compensate by simply eating flax and chia. It is not the same thing, no matter what anyone says.

Check Dr. Rita Marie Loscalzo's website. She is an experienced raw foodist and chiropractor/nutritionist and has specific information on how to improve the conversion rate of short to long chain omegas through proper raw vegan nutrition.

[Mary Kay]

From what I've read of Dr. RitaMarie, I like her. Will check out her site.

I have been giving my vegetarian dh some DHA in pill/cap form that is vegan/algae based as well. The kids and I do CLO, krill oil and eat fish though.

Mary Kay