In 2023, fish oil supplements accounted for $3.5 billion in sales. In addition to being a staple in the vitamin aisle at your local health food store, fish oil supplements are now also commonly sold in chain pharmacies and grocery stores.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for growth and development, especially the brain and immune system and studies have reported that most Americans are deficient in omega-3 consumption¹. Results from the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (Mr. FIT trial) reported that many people only eat 1/10th the amount of omega-3 required for health and 20% of Americans had omega-3 levels so low they were undetectable². Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce stiffness and soreness in joints and muscles throughout the body and lower the risks of many common diseases. The omega-3 fats are essential nutrients that the human body cannot produce internally, thus we need to get them from external sources.
Sources of Omega-3 Fish Oils
The best dietary source of omega-3 fats is cold water, fatty fish. However, much of the fish available in grocery stores is farm raised. Studies have reported that farm raised salmon and tuna contain toxic compounds like mercury, lead, cadmium and PCBs such as dioxin. One study reported that modest consumption of farm-raised Atlantic salmon delivers dioxin concentrations that increase risks to cancer³.
Farm raised fish are also bad for the environment due to the large amount of waste they produce. Also, the cramped environments are very unhealthy and stressful for the fish. Consequently, farm raised fish are frequently administered antibiotics and they are fed dried pellets, which is much different than the food that fish consume in the wild. Thus, eating farm raised fish is not a safe way to obtain your omega-3 fish oils.
Taking fish oil supplements is popular method of boosting omega-3 levels. However, studies have shown that the fat in the types of fish commonly used to produce fish oil supplements, such as tuna, herring, and mackerel contain traces of toxins such as PCBs and mercury. PCB is a known carcinogen and mercury is extremely toxic; there is no known safe level of exposure to mercury. Also, fish oil supplements often produce an unpleasant taste, and can cause nausea and loose stools.
For the above-mentioned reasons, an increasing number of people seek an alternative to omega-3 oils that does not require them to either consume fish or take a fishy-tasting pill. A great option for people is Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils.
Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils: A Vegan Alternative to Fish Oil
The number of Americans who identify as vegan has increased dramatically. Results from a large survey revealed that the number of people who identify as vegans increased by more than 3,000% during the 15-year period between 2004 to 2019⁴. Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils, is the perfect way for vegans to supplement with omega-3 fatty acids.
Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils provides a balance of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. The product is crafted from the following eight natural, cold-pressed plant and seed oils: avocado oil, borage seed oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, perilla seed oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil, and tea seed oil. This is the healthy way to supplement your diet with omega fatty acids.
Boost your Brain Power* With Dr. Ohhira’s Plant-based Omega-3!
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially long-chain, brain-nourishing omega-3 fat known as DHA, are instrumental in the function of the brain cell membranes necessary for the transmission of signals and communication between brain cells.
While fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fats, many people are looking for alternative sources of EFAs due to taste preference or vegan lifestyles. Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils™ provides eight natural plant and seed oils that are cold pressed, extracted, and prepared to provide a pure form of plant-based omegas!
Get the Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Without Fish
So, if you are asking, “What is a great Omega-3 substitute for fish oil?” Glad you asked. Essential Formulas has an alternative to fish oil that provides an array of essential fatty acids from eight natural plant and seed oils. These are a pure, undamaged plant-based oils provide “good fats” for optimum health. Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils™ is the perfect solution for those who want to know how to get Omega-3 without fish. Dr. Ohhira’s Living Oils is dairy free, gluten free, fish free, and non-GMO, as well. Order today or contact us with questions. We would love to hear from you.
Resources:
1 Murphy RA, et al. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid serum concentrations across life stages in the USA: an analysis of NHANES 2011-2012. BMJ Open. 2021;11:e043301.
2 Dolecek TA, et al. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and mortality in the multiple risk factor intervention trial (MRFIT). World Rev Nutr Diet, 1991;66:205-16.
3 Foran JA, et al. Risk-Based Consumption Advice for Farmed Atlantic and Wild Pacific Salmon Contaminated with Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Feb 9;113(5):552-556.
