Q: Are algal oil
supplements a good alternative to standard omega-3 (fish oil) supplements?
A: They seem to be. Derived
from various types of micro-algae, algal oil
is gaining popularity among vegans and other people who want a source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) but don’t
want to get them from fish or fish-oil supplements. But it’s also gaining buzz
because it’s a more sustainable alternative to deriving oil from fish (due to
declines in certain fish populations) and doesn’t pose the risk of
contamination with pollutants, such as PCBs, that are found to some degree in
many fatty fish.
Algal oil is largely
composed of DHA, along with smaller amounts of EPAand alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), which the body can be convert to DHA and EPA to a limited extent. Both
DHA and EPA have known heart benefits, as well as helping to reduce blood
clots, arrhythmias, inflammation, high blood pressure, and triglycerides (fats in the blood), though clinical
trials on supplements containing them have largely had disappointing results.
