To get more of these into your diet, try sprinkling flaxseed over your porridge, cereals, or nuts and seeds over your salads. And switch your oil to one of those listed above. Another difference is that saturated fats are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats are liquid. Unsaturated fats can further be categorised as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Monounsaturated fats contain only one double bond in its structure, while polyunsaturated fats contain two or more double bonds in their structure. We are inundated with information telling us how important it is to consume healthy fats such as omega-3, either in your diet or in supplement form. Here we will break down exactly what it is about omega-3 fatty acids that are so beneficial. Why Do We Need Omega-3? If your doctor has prescribed Omega 3 supplements to treat hypertriglyceridaemia, continue to take these. The processing can affect the form of the fatty acids. This is important, because some forms are absorbed better than others.

Processed fish oil. When fish oils are refined, food chemists often convert the triglycerides into ethyl esters, allowing them to adjust the concentration of DHA and EPA in the oil. Overall, evidence is stronger for the benefits of omega-3 supplements in people with a history of heart disease rather than generally healthy people ( 13). Depression and anxiety Poor concentration and conditions such as depression or anxiety also have multiple causes - many of which aren’t linked to your food consumption.Our bodies can make some EPA and DHA from ALA in the food we eat, but only a small amount. So, it’s good to eat foods that already contain them. Holland & Barrett Maximum Strength Triple Omega 3-6-9 are rapid release soft gel capsules that contain essential fatty acids which contribute towards the maintenance of normal brain function and vision. Food Supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be substituted for a varied diet or healthy lifestyle.

Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil are good sources of Omega-3 and taking supplements containing Omega-3 fatty acids such as those in Seven Seas Omega-3 & Immunity or in our Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil range can help top up your intakes of Omega-3 . However, some large studies have not supported the use of omega-3 supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease. This topic is still being investigated ( 11, 12).If you’re planning on taking Omega-3 supplements, or any other form of supplements, it’s important you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on when to take them and how many to take each day - e.g. three times a day or once a day. This is safest way to take supplements, it’s also essential you speak to your GP before taking supplements too. Advice when choosing supplements While shellfish contains some cholesterol, this doesn’t generally affect the amount of cholesterol in your blood so it’s usually fine to eat some shellfish How much is too much? Your body can convert a little bit of the ALA omega-3s into EPA and DHAs, but it uses most of them as it would other fats. There are two important long-chain omega-3 fatty acids which are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which both play a significant role in maintaining whole body health.