Here are some common signs that may indicate that you are low on these important essential fatty acids, in particular DHA, and you could be helped with an Omega-3 supplement.

• Problematic skin – dermatitis, lesions, dry rough skin, including small bumps on back of upper arms
• Dry, lacklustre, lifeless and brittle hair, dandruff
• Soft nails that break and crack easily
• Fatigue, trouble sleeping and poor sleep quality
• Deficits in concentration, attentiveness, memory and focus
• Mood disorders – depression, irritability, frustration, low tolerance and anxiety
• Dry eyes, impaired vision
• Difficult menstrual cycles, infertility, vaginal dryness
• Joint pain, arthritis and leg cramps
• Weakened and compromised immune system, allergy symptoms
• Cardiovascular concerns and heart disease
• Vitally poor sperm and low sperm count
• Increased inflammation

Why am I deficient in Omega-3?

Many people think that because they are on a good diet and eat a lot of Omega-3 rich foods such as seeds and nuts, they are getting an adequate amount of these important essential fatty acids. Nothing could be further from the truth, as plant sources only provide Omega-3 in the form of ALA, which the liver must convert to DHA or EPA to be usable – leading to several problems.

Problem 1: A special enzyme, delta-6- desaturase, is required to perform the conversion from ALA to DHA or EPA, and if you do not have enough of that enzyme, that conversion cannot take place.

Problem 2: Even if you do have enough of the enzyme, the conversion rate is so low, resulting in negligible amounts of DHA or EPA that you still will not achieve the adequate levels of Omega-3 to make a difference.

Problem 3: There is competition for that enzyme, so when you have too much Omega-6 in your system, as many people do, the enzyme will be used to convert the Omega-6 into arachidonic acid, instead of converting the ALA into DHA or EPA.
Most people consume far too much linoleic acid a type of Omega-6 found in industrially processed seed oils and abundantly present in the modern diet of most processed foods.

So, in a dietary sense, we all get way more than adequate amounts of Omega-6. Linoleic acid makes up 60% to 80% of Omega-6 fats and is the primary contributor to chronic disease and since linoleic acid is found in nearly every food, and you only need very small amounts, it’s virtually impossible to become deficient in Omega-6.

The balance of Omega-3s you consume is key; since processed foods are loaded with Omega-6 fats, the Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio is radically skewed and your body’s ability to convert ALA into beneficial EPA and DHA is inhibited.
Vegans are at the greatest risk of suffering from Omega-3 deficiency because of their reliance on plant sourced Omega-3s. However, the rest of the population is not far behind because of the excessive amount of Omega-6 stored in their cells.

How do I correct an Omega-3 deficiency?

While fish oil is often what comes to mind when considering Omega-3 supplementation, it’s not the best option. This is because, in most commercial fish oil supplements, the DHA and EPA are delivered in the form of ethyl esters. The reason for this is production costs are low and it’s far less expensive to produce than the better absorbed triglyceride form.

Ethyl esters are essentially a synthetic substrate, created through the micro distillation process of crude fish oil and are the poorest Omega-3 performers.
This is where Algae Oil takes stage as the optimum source of Omega-3. Ultra-rich in DHA Omega-3 fatty acids, Algae Oil provides an entirely plant-based intake of DHA in triglyceride form that can be acceptably consumed by vegetarians and vegans.

It is fair to say, not all Omega-3 supplements are created equal, as many are loaded up with ALA, that the body has to convert or Omega-6 seed oils to act as extenders.

And also, not all Algae Oil supplements are created equal.

Apart from megaOmega® Algae Oil, most other products on the market are manufactured from genetically engineered algae that has been mutated to replicate fish oil. Delivering a DHA/EPA ratio that is similar to fish oil, these genetically engineered products are not entirely natural. This means, your body does not respond as well to the modified Algae Oil product and the results expected are not always achieved.

megaOmega® Algae Oil has proven itself to be the leader in achieving results – delivering the highest potency Omega-3 in the absorption friendly triglyceride form from Chromista algae Schizochytrium sp. that has NOT been genetically engineered.

How can I be sure that I am Omega-3 deficient?

You can have your Omega-3 levels tested professionally, click here.

More info on Science Backed Benefits of DHA: healthline.com/nutrition/dha-benefits