Are Algae/Fish oil supplements the only realistic way to get enough Omega 3?

[Nivsch]

@Michael569 Why did you delete your post? I wanted to comment you gave interesting points.

[Michael569]

@Nivsch i thought it was too much and reconsidered 😄 i got carried away a bit and I don't think it was too practical 

[PsychedelicEagle]

On 6/23/2024 at 8:03 PM, undeather said:

please don't overconsume Omega-3s - there is more and more evidence that large amounts of omega 3 might actually be pro-arrythmogenic

@undeather thanks for the info. Does this include ALA, or only DHA/EPA? Asking because every day I eat a big banana bowl with 50g ground flaxseed, which is extremely high in Omega 3. Just from this I get about 11g of Omega 3 (ALA), according to the nutritional info in the cronometer app.

Edited June 29 by PsychedelicEagle

[undeather]

1 hour ago, PsychedelicEagle said:

@undeather thanks for the info. Does this include ALA, or only DHA/EPA? Asking because every day I eat a big banana bowl with 50g ground flaxseed, which is extremely high in Omega 3. Just from this I get about 11g of Omega 3 (ALA), according to the nutritional info in the cronometer app.

The conversion-rate of ALA to DHA/EPA is highly individual and influenced by a truckload of factors (such as genetic polymorphisms, Omega-6-consumption (esp. lineloic acid), sex, certain diseases, fluctiations in hormone levels (estrogen)..etc.). In general, it's pretty low.

I am not aware that there are any strong correlations between ALA and arrythmias - most studies looking into that connection are focused on fish-oil supplements, which are high in EPA/DHA. That said, 50g flaxseed is quite a lot - and this will most likely significantly increase your conversion - as shown in this study.

I personally would not worry too much tbh - if you are not supplementing with fish oil as well, then your body will adapt and take what it needs. 
If you are worried, you can get a omega-3 profile, which will give you a decent approximation.
 

[PsychedelicEagle]

@undeather, thanks a lot! Quite informative reference as well.

I actually am supplementing with a vegan supplement having 800mg of EPA/DHA combined per day. I plan on doing an Omega 3 Index test in the next few months, maybe I can use that to inform my approach in the future.

Edited July 1 by PsychedelicEagle

[Yimpa]

Just now, PsychedelicEagle said:

I plan on doing an Omega 3 Index test in the next few months, then maybe I can use that to inform my approach.

I was not aware that you can order this. Where do you go for that? 

[PsychedelicEagle]

3 minutes ago, Yimpa said:

I was not aware that you can order this. Where do you go for that? 

@Yimpa I don't know yet where I'll do it, currently I live in Switzerland so I'll have to find a lab here.

The Omega 3 Index is much more informative than the serum Omega 3 levels as it uses the red blood cells' membranes to get a picture of your levels over the last 3-4 months. Whereas the serum would be heavily influenced by what you consumed over the last days. I learned it from Rhonda Patrick.

Edited July 1 by PsychedelicEagle

[Michael569]

@Yimpa @PsychedelicEagle in UK this test is called Red Cell Fatty Acids and Rhonda is correct, this is the gold standard at the moment that does not get skewed by your past 24 hour intake. 

In the research they call it "Red Blood Cell Fatty Acids" so maybe look for that as well. Might be called differently elsewhere but don't think "Omega 3 Index" is a generally recognised term as of yet outside of US. 

When in doubt, contact bunch of local testing companies and ask about the specifics. 

Edited July 1 by Michael569

[PsychedelicEagle]

@Michael569 🙏🙏🙏

Edited July 1 by PsychedelicEagle

[Schizophonia]

O6/O3 is super important.

Dozens of millions of people die each year in unbearable suffering because of peanut butter, it's well known.

Edited July 1 by Schizophonia

[destroyx6]

2 packs of sardines in the morning do me good.

[Yimpa]

26 minutes ago, destroyx6 said:

2 packs of sardines in the morning do me good.

Sounds happier than 2 packs of cigarettes!