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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 10, 2005, at 10:10:46
hi, i was reading that flaxseed oil has a poor balance of EPA and DHA, and that fish oil is still superior. this saddens me as i am very very vegan. i cannot find any algae oil either... what do i do? is there anywhere i get it at a reasonable price, or maybe there is a product other than the algae oil i should be looking at?
Posted by nolvas on September 11, 2005, at 6:55:12
In reply to Balanced Omega-3s for VEGANS, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 10, 2005, at 10:10:46
http://www.devanutrition.com/ have omega 3 DHA made from algae. I don't know how well this compares to fish oil DHA in quality, but it's about the only source for vegans.
This site describes well which Omega oils are essential and which your body manufactures.
http://www.homeschoolmath.net/other_topics/fats-intelligence.php
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on September 12, 2005, at 16:14:21
In reply to Re: Balanced Omega-3s for VEGANS, posted by nolvas on September 11, 2005, at 6:55:12
> http://www.devanutrition.com/ have omega 3 DHA made from algae. I don't know how well this compares to fish oil DHA in quality, but it's about the only source for vegans.
>
> This site describes well which Omega oils are essential and which your body manufactures.
>
> http://www.homeschoolmath.net/other_topics/fats-intelligence.phpEPA and DHA are necessary and I would not be happy to recommend DHA alone in most cases.In pregnancy and old age DHA is very important but as a general rule EPA is the one most needed thoughout life.Sometimes DHA is described as the hardware of the brain (which e.g. is low in Alzheimers) while EPA is the software. EPA and DHA are essential as building them up form alpha linolenic acid is very difficult.
Posted by nolvas on September 12, 2005, at 21:19:56
In reply to Re: Balanced Omega-3s for VEGANS, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on September 12, 2005, at 16:14:21
Yeah I get what you mean, although because the body can synthesize EPA and DHA from ALA they are not described as essential in any texts that I've seen.
Posted by Mistermindmasta on September 14, 2005, at 23:57:27
In reply to Balanced Omega-3s for VEGANS, posted by iforgotmypassword on September 10, 2005, at 10:10:46
> hi, i was reading that flaxseed oil has a poor balance of EPA and DHA, and that fish oil is still superior. this saddens me as i am very very vegan. i cannot find any algae oil either... what do i do? is there anywhere i get it at a reasonable price, or maybe there is a product other than the algae oil i should be looking at?
Flax oil has no EPA or DHA. Fish oil does. Algae somehow is able to synthesize DHA, but not EPA. Since you're vegetarian, Flax oil is a very good source of alpha linolenic acid, an immediate precursor to both EPA and DHA in the body. The assumption, however, is that your body can manufacture optimal amounds of EPA and DHA from the ALA in flax oil. Studies have shown that this enzyme actually is not very active in some people. The point is that for some people, supplementing flax oil leaves a lot ALA laying around in the body and not enough DHA and EPA. How do you know if your body isnt making enough? I really don't know. Maybe there's some laboratory work your doc can do to make sure your ok on that enzyme. In any case, Flax oil in moderate amounts is a good idea and your body will at least be converting *some* into the usable EPA and DHA forms.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 16, 2005, at 9:00:47
In reply to Re: Balanced Omega-3s for VEGANS, posted by Mistermindmasta on September 14, 2005, at 23:57:27
i don't remember where i read this but it said that estrogen will help convert APA to EPA and DHA.
This is the end of the thread.
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