Are there any vegetarian sources of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish?
Some omega 3 fatty acids are found in certain vegetable oils, such as linseed, flaxseed, walnut and rapeseed, but they aren’t the same type of fatty acids found in fish. The omega 3 fatty acids in fish have been shown to help protect against coronary heart disease. But evidence suggests that the type of fatty acids found in vegetable sources may not have the same benefits as those in fish.
Short chain omega 3 fatty acids are found in certain vegetable oils, such as linseed, flaxseed, walnut and rapeseed, but they aren’t the same type of fatty acids found in oily fish. Oily fish contain the long chain omega 3 fatty acids. The long chain omega 3 fatty acids in fish have been shown to help protect against coronary heart disease. Although our bodies can use shorter chain omega-3 fatty acids to make long chain ones, this process is very limited and evidence suggests that consuming the short chain omega 3 fatty acids may not have the same benefits as those in oily fish on the risk factors for heart disease. Marine algae does contain the long chain omega 3 fatty acids. However, the effects of algae on heart disease have not been studied in enough detail to draw conclusions. If you follow a vegetarian diet you can still look after you heart by eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day, trying to cut down on food that is high in saturated fat and watch
