Omega-3 oils are important for brain health and heart health, but there’s some concern about accumulated toxins in fish oil, such as mercury, PCBs, and dioxin. Here are six top non-seafood sources of omega-3 oils. Number six is the least known, but may be the best.
- Chia Seeds — 2.5 grams of omega-3 per tablespoon.
- Flaxseed — 2 grams per tablespoon.
- Hemp Seed — 0.9 grams per tablespoon.
- English Walnuts — 2.57 grams per ounce.
- Soybean Oil — 0.92 grams per tablespoon.
- Algae Oil — 4.2 grams of omega-3 per tablespoon.
What Makes Algae Oil Different
These sources provide omega-3 in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a precursor the body converts into DHA and EPA. Algae oil is the exception — it contains actual DHA directly, the same form found in seafood sources, without needing conversion.
If you want more omega-3 oils in your diet, consider these sources. For more tips on natural health, download the free eBook Health Secrets at peacediet.org.
About Dr. Terry Shintani, MD, JD, MPH
Dr. Terry Shintani is a Harvard-trained physician and nutritionist, named a Living Treasure of Hawai’i and recipient of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Award for Excellence. He is the creator of the Peace Diet and the landmark Waianae Diet — published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited over 137 times — and the author of 16 books on natural health and nutrition, drawing on more than 35 years of clinical practice in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Learn more about Dr. Shintani’s work and recognition: NLM Native Voices
Sources:
- NIH/ODS — Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fact Sheet
- NIH/PubMed — Algae-Derived DHA as a Sustainable Omega-3 Source
- NIH/PubMed — Mercury and PCB Contamination in Fish Oil Supplements