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Article: Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids
- Article from:
- Canadian Medical Association. Journal
- Article date:
- January 15, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Canadian Medical Association Jan 15, 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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What are omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in certain foods. The term "omega-3" refers to their chemical structure. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be made in the body and must be obtained from food; thus, they are essential fatty acids. There are many forms of omega-3 fatty acids, each with a different length and chemical structure.
Where are omega-3 fatty acids found?
The shortest omega-3 fatty acid, a-linolenic acid, is found in plants and plant oils, including leafy vegetables, walnuts, mustard seed oil, soy bean oil, canola oil and flaxseed oil (which is made up of 50% a-linolenic acid). The longer omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ...