Fish oil alternatives: 5 things you can try | Fish Oil Blog

Fish oil, as we know, is important for the proper functioning of the body. Omega-3 fatty acids, which fish oils are rich in, are mostly found in fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon and white tuna. High on the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaencoic acid (DHA), fish oil provides a wide-range of benefits that contribute to our well-being.

Merits and Demerits of fish oil: There are several advantages using fish oil supplements.  They contain the most essential nutrient which we maybe completely missing in our diets today -  omega 3 fats. Omega 3 fats are essential for our hearts, minds and entire body. In fact, every cell of our organism needs omega 3 to work at its prime.

Although there have been hundreds of studies and research on the health benefits of fish oil and omega 3 fatty acids, there are few actual studies on the side effects of fish oil. The most common side effects of fish oil capsules are diarrhea, blood thinning and bleeding. They are due to gelatin and other trace elements from fish oils used in the capsules. Indeed, many people are allergic to these ingredients of fish oil capsules. Again, fish oil can cause problems with blood clots or uncontrolled bleeding from anticoagulant contents.

These facts have led a few people to seek for alternative sources of EPA and DHA. The next  high availability of fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are mostly found in some nuts,  seeds and vegetables. In the past, there has been an idea to convert ALA to EPA and DHA, but it is a slow process which requires time. This has created the idea to increase ALA intake which is not sufficient to maintain the EPA and DHA levels in the body.

Fish oil alternatives:

1. Algae combined seed oil: Intake of algae such as spirulina will help your body to convert omega 3 oils from seeds. This is one of the most common vegetarian substitutes for oil. Spirualina as algae and flaxseed oil are the best combination, but others are adapted as well.

2. Vegetarian Fish Oil Replacement Supplements: Several people get their fish oil simply by just visiting the nearest drug store for these fish oil supplements.  As a vegetarian you can get the same benefits of fish oil with vegetarian capsules available from different seeds and nuts.

3. Flaxseed oil: The flax seed oil is also from the seed oil which is combined with algae, but , unlike the others, it is a pretty good replacement for fish oil. Flaxseed oil is also known to have other health benefits.

4. Black Currant Oil: Omega 3 fatty acids, ALA and Stearidonic acids are more available in black currant. These black currant oils can prevent one from cancer, improve the cardiovascular system and help us to maintain hormone levels in our body. This is a good vegetarian oil which is a substitute for oil.

5. Krill oil: Just as fish oil, krill oil also contains omega-3 fats which is  known for its several health benefits to the body. The krill oil contains fatty acids which reduces the levels of triglycerides in the blood, reduces the risk of heart attacks and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, reduces the risk of stroke, blood pressure, relieve stiffness and joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, prevents  from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, reduces the risk of depression and some forms of cancer.