What is the primary reason direct oily fish consumption is superior to ALA from flaxseeds?

Answer

The body's conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is notoriously inefficient.

The chief reason for prioritizing direct intake of oily fish over plant sources containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), such as flaxseeds or walnuts, lies in the biological limitations of human metabolism. While ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid, the human body possesses a very poor and inefficient mechanism for converting ALA into the highly valuable, long-chain omega-3s: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Because EPA and DHA must be obtained through diet for optimal benefit, consuming fatty fish directly bypasses this conversion bottleneck, ensuring higher circulating levels of these critical, biologically active fats necessary for physiological functions.

What is the primary reason direct oily fish consumption is superior to ALA from flaxseeds?

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