Omega -3 From plant

Getting Omega-3s from Plant Foods

Some people don't eat fish and seafood and prefer to get their omega-3s, the anti-inflammatory fats, from plant foods. This is possible, but it's important to understand that it requires consuming a larger quantity of plant-based sources compared to fish or seafood to achieve the same bioactive level.

You may hear that omega-3s can be obtained from foods like avocado and leafy greens. While this is true, you would need to eat a significantly larger volume of these foods. For instance, individuals relying solely on plant foods for omega-3s should consume a higher quantity to meet their needs.

To illustrate, achieving the equivalent of 500 milligrams of omega-3s would require about three tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Many people include flaxseed in their daily smoothies to meet this requirement. However, it would take approximately 26 avocados to reach the same amount of EPA and DHA, which is not a practical solution unless you have an avocado tree in your backyard.

Dark green leafy vegetables and avocados are still very healthy options, but they are not as biologically active as the omega-3s found in fish and seafood. For those relying on plant-based sources, it’s essential to consume a larger volume to get the biologically active amount of omega-3s.