When people ask me to recommend one supplement for them to take, and only one, my answer is always, “a quality and balanced omega 3 & 6 supplement”. Why? Simply because Omega-3 & Omega- 6 is an essential fatty acid, meaning it’s a vital nutrient our bodies need.

Omega-3 is necessary for the function of every single one of our cells. In your body, it will be converted to EPA and DHA which we all know is linked to brain health. Omega-6 is just as essential and in a balanced ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 it can balance out our hormones and lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol).

Frequently Asked Questions about Omega 3

What are food sources of Omega 3 & 6?

• High fat cold water fish (e.g. sardines, salmon, tuna, halibut)
• Flax seeds and walnuts are rich in omega 3, while other nuts have a higher content of omega 6
• Chia seeds

Why do we need to supplement?

Fish are now often farmed, unsustainable or high in mercury and other heavy metals. Studies also reveal that farmed versus wild fish have higher pollutants and lower omega 3 content. Sustainable and wild fish need to be caught and prepared in a way that the omega 3 is not damaged, for example, by cooking with high heat.

Don’t we get enough Omega 6?

It is true that with modern processing of foods like refined vegetable oils, the omega-6 content of our foods have increased dramatically. However, many people do not realize that the omega-6 nutrients have also been damaged, so in essence we’re not only taking in an unbalanced proportion of omega 6 and omega 3, we are taking in rancid and oxidized omega oils.

Why not Fish supplements?

Besides the need to protect our fish population, the manufacturing process of fish supplements has also been heavily scrutinized in the past. Dr Udo “prefer(s) eating fish to swallowing fish oil capsules because of the processing damage that occurs in fish oils. Fish oils are very difficult to work with. The "fishy" flavor of encapsulated oils or cod liver oil is actually rancidity. Fresh fish does not have this taste or smell”

Why choose Udo’s Choice Oil Blend?

The effectiveness of the blend rests both on its ingredients and on the methods of production, packaging, storage and use.

The blend is very rich in the more therapeutic omega-3s. It contains the best oils (flax, sunflower, sesame) from organic sources and is rich in "minor ingredients" (e.g. coconut oil and rice and oat germ oils) with major health benefits.

The oils in the blend are unrefined, pressed at low temperature under exclusion of light and oxygen, packaged in brown glass, then put in a box to eliminate light leakage. Lastly, it is refrigerated during storage and shipping.

Thus, made right and used right, the blend provides the health-enhancing omega-3s, omega-6s, and "minor ingredients" in the best possible way for the body's needs.

Written By Denise Tam, Holistic Nutritionist