The parent acid in the Omega-3 family of Polyunsaturates is Alpha-Linolenic Acid which can be converted in the body to longer chain members such as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). EPA may help keep the Cardiovascular System healthy by maintaining normal blood lipid levels and normal platelet function, whilst DHA is believed to play an important role in the transmission of electrical impulses across synapses in the brain and in foetal retina development.

The main dietary sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are fatty fish, which are little consumed by Western populations. By contrast, Eskimos have a diet very high in lipids and their diet includes a lot of fish oils. Their EPA and DHA dietary intakes vary between 4 and 6 grams per day. Because the average British diet contains very small amounts of EPA and DHA, if food supplementation to approach Eskimos or Japanese intakes of EPA and DHA is required, it is often more convenient to take concentrated fish body oils in capsule form.

An alternative source for Omega-3 Fatty Acids for vegetarians is Flax Seed Oil.