This helped me to understand the source for omega 3 and why one needs to be distinct in DHA being plant of sea life. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fatty acid found in various foods. Unlike saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that have been linked to a variety of health benefits. They're known to be found in marine animals, like salmon and shellfish, but several fruits and vegetables, including avocados and seaweed, also contain these healthy nutrients.
However, there are three main types: α-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Marine animals and plants have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish, like salmon, are particularly rich in omega-3. Vegetables and fruits like avocado contain a fatty acid called ALA. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, avocados have no naturally occurring EPA or DHA, which is the preferred element in this case. Salmon is a much better source of omega-3 fatty acids than avocados. However, both are healthy foods that contain different nutrients.
Ducks, great question! No, they are not all created equal. Each fatty acid (omega 3 or 6) has a different chain length, ranging from short to medium to long. Omega3 fatty acids have only short and long chain, and they are a type of polyunsaturated fat.
ALA, as you mentioned above, is a short-chain omega 3, found mostly in flax and walnut, and grains. The short-chain fatty acids have antimicrobial properties—that is, they protect us from viruses, yeasts and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.
DHA and EPA are very long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, and EPA helps in hormone production. However if you don't have enough saturated fat in your diet, absorption of EPA and DHA can be poor. I would be careful with any EPA supplement, however. Many health gurus have touted the "anti-inflammatory benefits" of this EPA, but its “anti-inflammatory” activity is a result of its ability to interfere with arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. AA is what ultimately signals our genes to resolve certain types of inflammation. Thus taking EPA may actually prolong not prevent inflammation.
I would also add that there are numerous benefits to saturated fats such as butter, grassfed lard and coconut oil, as these fats are stable and solid at room temp, and do not go rancid as quickly, and subject to less factory-processing and oxidation than "heart healthy" omega 6 vegetable oils.
There are also numerous benefits to saturated fats, as they are stable at room temp (butter, animal lard, coconut oil) and don't go rancid as quickly as certain types of vegetable oils:
"Butter does not need to be emulsified by bile salts but is absorbed directly from the small intestine to the liver, where it is converted into quick energy. These fatty acids also have antimicrobial, antitumor and immune-system-supporting properties, especially 12-carbon lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid not found in other animal fats. Highly protective lauric acid should be called a conditionally essential fatty acid because it is made only by the mammary gland and not in the liver like other saturated fats. We must obtain it from one of two dietary sources—small amounts in butterfat or large amounts in coconut oil. Four-carbon butyric acid is all but unique to butter. It has antifungal properties as well as antitumor effects."
Thank you so much Jennifer for sharing. I see you have Crawford as a reference. Brilliant man. Love the easty-to-follow breakdown you have on this document.
Cool, I relooked at it and the etras at the end and ordered a couple of the books. I hadn't read the Crawford book - an excerpt probably showed up in search results. I may make a post of that document. It isn't published anywhere else, except a brief blurb.
Well maybe it's both, as oil doesn't mix with water. I'm not sure how much of remaining substance of a brain many of us have after removing the water though...(:
All Omega-3s are not created equal?
This helped me to understand the source for omega 3 and why one needs to be distinct in DHA being plant of sea life. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fatty acid found in various foods. Unlike saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that have been linked to a variety of health benefits. They're known to be found in marine animals, like salmon and shellfish, but several fruits and vegetables, including avocados and seaweed, also contain these healthy nutrients.
However, there are three main types: α-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Marine animals and plants have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish, like salmon, are particularly rich in omega-3. Vegetables and fruits like avocado contain a fatty acid called ALA. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, avocados have no naturally occurring EPA or DHA, which is the preferred element in this case. Salmon is a much better source of omega-3 fatty acids than avocados. However, both are healthy foods that contain different nutrients.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
https://www.livestrong.com/article/429215-avocado-vs-salmon-for-omega-3-levels/
Thanks for your informative article !
Ducks, great question! No, they are not all created equal. Each fatty acid (omega 3 or 6) has a different chain length, ranging from short to medium to long. Omega3 fatty acids have only short and long chain, and they are a type of polyunsaturated fat.
ALA, as you mentioned above, is a short-chain omega 3, found mostly in flax and walnut, and grains. The short-chain fatty acids have antimicrobial properties—that is, they protect us from viruses, yeasts and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.
DHA and EPA are very long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, and EPA helps in hormone production. However if you don't have enough saturated fat in your diet, absorption of EPA and DHA can be poor. I would be careful with any EPA supplement, however. Many health gurus have touted the "anti-inflammatory benefits" of this EPA, but its “anti-inflammatory” activity is a result of its ability to interfere with arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. AA is what ultimately signals our genes to resolve certain types of inflammation. Thus taking EPA may actually prolong not prevent inflammation.
I would also add that there are numerous benefits to saturated fats such as butter, grassfed lard and coconut oil, as these fats are stable and solid at room temp, and do not go rancid as quickly, and subject to less factory-processing and oxidation than "heart healthy" omega 6 vegetable oils.
There are also numerous benefits to saturated fats, as they are stable at room temp (butter, animal lard, coconut oil) and don't go rancid as quickly as certain types of vegetable oils:
"Butter does not need to be emulsified by bile salts but is absorbed directly from the small intestine to the liver, where it is converted into quick energy. These fatty acids also have antimicrobial, antitumor and immune-system-supporting properties, especially 12-carbon lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid not found in other animal fats. Highly protective lauric acid should be called a conditionally essential fatty acid because it is made only by the mammary gland and not in the liver like other saturated fats. We must obtain it from one of two dietary sources—small amounts in butterfat or large amounts in coconut oil. Four-carbon butyric acid is all but unique to butter. It has antifungal properties as well as antitumor effects."
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/the-skinny-on-fats/#gsc.tab=0
Does this help clarify for you?
Roman
I would want to review, but I read that it seems most protective to take EPA and DHA balanced supplements - if not eating fish.
Great post Roman. I have a document with a similar theme of DHA being our oldest non-hanged protein. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TFYWh3OxMLJ0DcTJ3Hdn3tuGAzdN8BE6lV6jJg0ypkw/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you so much Jennifer for sharing. I see you have Crawford as a reference. Brilliant man. Love the easty-to-follow breakdown you have on this document.
Cool, I relooked at it and the etras at the end and ordered a couple of the books. I hadn't read the Crawford book - an excerpt probably showed up in search results. I may make a post of that document. It isn't published anywhere else, except a brief blurb.
DHA and Forest Bathing webpage https://jenniferdepew.com/dha-%26-forest-bathing
beautiful article Roman. love our crossovers.
Thanks so much Yolanda! I'm very grateful to find you as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my article.
I thought it was water, not fat. :)
Or is it the remaining substance after the water is removed?
Well maybe it's both, as oil doesn't mix with water. I'm not sure how much of remaining substance of a brain many of us have after removing the water though...(:
Obviously, the substance is protein, but it needs good fats. Water is essential to maintain intercellular communication...
the world was created . there are many creation scientists. one website for reference is creation.com
"If we are what we eat, maybe we need to eat what we are."
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
I totally agree with you, just how beneficial cod liver oil is. It had literally taken my depression away for years.