If you’re vegan, you’ll probably know that getting all the nutrients your body needs can be a challenge. Omega 3 fatty acids are no exception since they are essential for maintaining heart and brain health, as well as:
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving cognitive function
- Maintaining eye health
- Boosting the immune system
The problem is that the body can’t produce omega 3 fatty acids on its own, so you need to obtain them through food or supplements. However, both vegans and non-vegans alike often fall short in their daily intake of fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Fish oil supplements have long been a popular way to bridge the gap, but they’re ‘off the menu’ if you’re on a plant-based diet. Although, it’s just as well, considering the many health and environmental risks associated with fish oil, including large unsustainability and possible contamination [1].
Thankfully, plant-based alternatives are becoming increasingly available, providing all the health benefits of omega 3 with none of the drawbacks.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about three reasons you should consider making a plant-based omega 3 supplement part of your daily supplement routine.
Let’s dive in.
1. Plant-Based Is More Environmentally Friendly
For many years, fish oil supplements have been the go-to source for a convenient source of omega 3s, but recent shifts in dietary trends are spurring a switch to plant-based sources.
One key reason? – environmental concerns. The sourcing process behind fish oils often entails fishing methods like bottom trawling, which can damage delicate ocean ecosystems and lead to the demise of entire fish populations.
Plant-based omega 3 dietary supplements make a positive difference to the world because they provide a sustainable and eco-friendly source of omega-3s that don’t come with the same environmental risks as fish oil.
Plus, plant-based options are vegan and cruelty-free, making them an excellent choice for those who want to avoid animal products for ethical reasons or don’t like to eat fish or consume fish oil-based supplements.
2. Vegan Omega 3 Supplements Are Much Safer For Your Health
For years, fish oil supplements have been heralded as a powerful way to improve heart health and cognitive function. However, recent studies have questioned the effectiveness of fish oil supplements, and some experts have even raised concerns about their safety.
As an alternative, plant-based omega 3 supplements are now emerging as a safe and effective way to improve health. These supplements are often derived from algae, which happens to be one of the most abundant and sustainable sources of omega 3 fatty acids.
Unlike fish oil supplements, you don’t have to worry about potential contamination with mercury and other toxins when choosing a plant-based product. This is because vegan sources such as algae are not exposed to the same environmental pollutants as fish. They also effectively cut out the middleman or ‘middle fish!’, as it’s where the fish get their omega 3s from in the first place.
3. Vegan Omega 3 Supplements Have Fewer Side Effects
Plant-based omega-3 supplements are becoming increasingly popular as people become more aware of the potential side effects of fish oil supplements.
While fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve heart health [2], they can also cause unpleasant side effects such as fishy burps and gastrointestinal distress. That’s on top of the contaminant concerns we mentioned earlier.
On the other hand, the body can usually better tolerate plant-based Omega 3 supplements, with far fewer side effects.
In fact, they’re often praised for their lack of ‘fishy’ aftertaste and gastrointestinal discomfort. Plant-based omega-3 supplements are usually derived from algae and other plants, so they are much less likely to cause these types of side effects.
Additionally, a high-quality plant-based omega-3 supplement can be as effective as fish oil supplements in reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular health. As a result, they are ideal for people who want to experience the many health benefits of omega-3 without the unpleasant side effects of fish oil.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it – three good reasons to switch to vegan omega 3 supplements and wave goodbye to fish oil supplements that are harmful to your health and the environment!
By now, you should be aware of how vital it is to get your daily dose of omega 3s. But doing so from your diet alone can prove difficult if you don’t like or can’t eat fatty fish or have concerns about the sustainability and health risks associated with fish oil.
Regardless of whether you’re a vegan, a high-quality plant-based omega-3 supplement like Performance Lab Omega 3 is the best way to get your fix. Here’s why:
- Eco-friendly: Sourced from algae, which is a large & highly sustainable biomass
- Ultraclean: No mercury, heavy metals, PCBs, or toxic contaminants associated with fish oil
- Delivered in NutriGels®: the world’s first vegan, carrageenan-free softgels
So, if you’re looking for a vegan omega-3 supplement as beneficial for your health as it is for the environment, look no further!
Sustainable, environmentally friendly, and backed by science – what’s not to love about that?!
References
- Jenkins, D., Sievenpiper, J., Pauly, D., Sumaila, U., Kendall, C. and Mowat, F., 2009. Are dietary recommendations for the use of fish oils sustainable?. [online] Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2653584/> [Accessed 29 March 2022].
- Li, Zhi-Hao. “Associations of Habitual Fish Oil Supplementation with Cardiovascular Outcomes and All Cause Mortality: Evidence from a Large Population Based Cohort Study.” The BMJ, 4 Mar. 2020, www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m456.
