Is there any way of getting Omega 3 other than through fish & fish oils?

[crayon]

I have just been reading the thread below about omega 3 and realised how little I know about this subject. DS2 is allergic to fish and omega 3 fish oils, and also allergic to seeds. I'm worried about how he will get omega 3 in his diet - does anyone know what else contains omega 3 in a helpful form? (I guess the milk etc that you can with it added probably has fish omega 3 added).

Many thanks

Crayon

(And it's not clear that vegetarian sources of omega 3 have the same health benefits as oily fish. Bad news for me as a veggie...)

your body has to go through many more steps to break down the oils from veggie sources - so the levels of EPA and DHA (the active ingredients) in veg sources like flax are much much lower than in fish. The body only has to go through 2 or 3 steps (I think - off the top of my head) to get at the DHA / EPA from fish, so you get its a much higher more bio available source IYSWIM.

But you're right, it's the ratio of 6:3 that's important

The V Pure supplement is good though edam, it's an algae source as someone mentioned. Have you tried it ?

God pregnancy brain kicking in - I've just re-read that and it doesn't make as much sense as I thought !

I need some EPA

Made sense to me so either you are perfectly clear or I'm equally daft!

Not tried V pure, will look out for it. Apparently some people are more/less efficient than others at converting flax seeds/whatever to DHA/EPA too - sod's law I'm bound to be one of the ones who doesn't do it too well.

where did you hear that, can you remember ? I'd love a link if you've seen some research.

For complete and balanced omegas especially for veggis try Udos Oil, comes in capsules as well and is delicious on all food even porridge and cereals in morning. Buy from health food shops

puffy, I can't remember, sorry! And I know that sounds rubbish, in my day job I always look for the original source and work out whether the study is valid or not... IIRC was first told this by a dietitian at a conference, he gave me the reference and I looked it up at the time.

think hemp oil contains omegas but it might be omega 6 not 3 not sure of the difference

the idea of hemp oil always makes me giggle because I can't help thinking you are basically eating rope.

I know it's the original plant and all that but can't quite get over it!

www.energiseforlife.com/hemp_oil.php
hemp oil contains omega 3 and 6 :-)

i intermittently use these omegazen they are pricey but have lots of DHA which is the stuff that is difficult to get on a veggie diet.

yes it does taste a bit ropey ;-)

nothin tastes as bad as fish oil tho

Marks and Spencer sell cheese sticks in their kids range which have omega 3 in.

there are loads of foods that have omega 3 put in it - but most aren't veggie. Im always really put out if i pick up a yoghurt/tin of spaghetti hoops and they have fish in them!

(not that we eat a lot of spag hoops mind you )

thanks anyway edam ! I'll have a search on pubmed.

I always wind up thinking of hemp shoes and clothes whenever anyone mentions the oil, I just haven't been able to bring myself to try it yet - despite it being such a good omega source. I just imagine that I need to wear a smock and have long blonde hair in order to justify it