{"id":8556,"date":"2022-07-13T12:08:01","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T11:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/?p=8556"},"modified":"2022-07-13T10:09:28","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T09:09:28","slug":"omega-3-and-fish-oil-how-are-they-different","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/blog\/omega-3-and-fish-oil-how-are-they-different\/","title":{"rendered":"Omega-3 and Fish Oil &#8211; How are they different?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Content<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"#VS\">Omega-3 Fatty Acids vs Fish Oil<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"#types\">Different Types of Omega-3 Supplements<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"#conc\">Conclusion<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The terms fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are often used interchangeably but they are actually not the same thing! They are connected, but far from identical so in this article we want to look into<\/span><b> the differences between omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and also give you some practical tips and tricks on how to choose the best omega-3 supplement for you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a id=\"VS\"><\/a>Omega-3 fatty acids vs fish oil<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sum the main difference between the terms \u201cfish oil\u201d and \u201comega-3\u201d up right from the start:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, but not all omega-3s are fish oil!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But these two terms also have a few things in common and are both <\/span><b>used to describe a specific type of food supplement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that contains omega-3 fatty acids, which is where a lot of confusion comes from. Now we will first describe both fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids and then look at omega-3 supplements in more detail below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8555\" src=\"http:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"531\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/supplement-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 531px) 100vw, 531px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are omega-3 fatty acids<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/difference-between-fish-oil-and-omega-3\/\"><b>3 main types of omega-3 fatty acids<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALA alpha-linolenic acid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DHA docosahexaenoic acid<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EPA eicosapentaenoic acid<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But they come from different sources and different effects on our body and metabolism. ALA is a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that can be found in different kinds of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/3-types-of-omega-3#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3\"><b> algaes and other plants<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like spinach, soybeans, walnuts and different types of seeds or vegetable oils like canola oil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALA is a so-called precursor of EPA and DHA, which means that our body is able to transform ALA into EPA and DHA. However, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/9637947\/\"><b>this process is not very efficient <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and it is generally recommended to consume EPA and DHA directly via specific foods or through food supplements (just like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/omega3-fish-oil\/\"><b>fish oil <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for example).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EPA and DHA on the other hand, are found in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/the-difference-between-omega-3-from-plant-and-fish-sources\/\"><b>animal products<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, mainly fatty cold-water fish such as mackerel, anchovies or salmon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While all of these 3 fats are part of the group of omega-3 fatty acids because of their molecular structure, they do all have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/differences-between-epa-and-dha\/\"><b>different health benefits and effects on our body<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Health benefits of Omega-3<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for their <\/span><b>positive effects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on our cardiovascular system, heart health and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/how-red-krill-oil-can-boost-your-immune-system\/\"><b>immune system<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But their benefits don\u2019t stop there!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These specific fats have a lot of positive effects on our bodies, our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/can-omega-3-help-you-sleep-better\/\"><b>sleep<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/health-benefits-for-children\/\"><b>cognitive development in kids<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and can even affect our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/omega-3-and-mental-health\/\"><b>mental health<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Especially for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/the-top-5-benefits-of-omega-3-for-athlete\/\"><b>athletes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, supplementing with omega-3s on a regular basis can be very beneficial as their anti-inflammatory properties can help your muscles recover faster after exercise and even help with muscle growth. There are many <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/pro-rower-gold\/\"><b>olympic athletes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that rely on supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids to increase their performance so there is no reason for you not to try it as well!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is fish oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fish oil is made from the fatty tissue of fish and can be sourced from a variety of different species like herring, anchovies or salmon. In the context of diet, nutrition and food supplements the term \u201cfish oil\u201d is generally used as an abbreviation for \u201cfish oil supplements\u201d which usually come in liquid form or capsules.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This fish oil is treated and purified in a way that makes it safe to consume for humans and is usually prescribed or taken for medical and health reasons. Fish oil contains a variety of different ingredients and substances, one of which are omega-3 fatty acids!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking fish oil supplements is nothing new though and has been a tradition for hundreds of years in some Scandinavian countries like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/about-us\/\"><b>Norway<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8554\" src=\"http:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"493\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/fish-oil.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a id=\"types\"><\/a>The Different Types of Omega-3 Supplements<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After we\u2019ve seen the main differences between omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil, what are <\/span><b>omega-3 supplements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Is there just fish oil or are there other options?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An omega-3 supplement is the easiest way to make sure that you hit your daily target of omega-3 for optimal health. You can rely on the supplement instead of complicated meal plans and planning your food for the whole week ahead of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But there is more than just one type of omega-3 supplement:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-krill-oil-and-fish-oil\/\"><b>Fish Oil<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/what-is-the-difference-between-krill-oil-and-fish-oil\/\"><b>Krill oil<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They both contain the fatty acids EPA and DHA and are therefore called \u201comega-3 supplements\u201d. For vegans, there is also the option of using an algae-based omega-3 supplement for example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The differences between fish oil and krill oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b>Fish oil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is concentrated and purified oil made from the tissue of certain types of fish. They can come in different \u201cforms\u201d like triglycerides, phospholipids or ethyl esters, which refers to the chemical structure of the omega-3 fatty acids within the oil itself. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/omega3-fish-oil\/#natural-triglycerides-vs-artificial-ethylesters\"><b>triglyceride<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fish oils are said to be more easily absorbed into our body and cells and have a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intelligentlabs.org\/whats-the-difference-between-triglyceride-and-ethyl-ester-omega-3-fish-oil\/\"><b>higher \u201cbioavailability\u201d<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These different forms depend on the extraction and purification method of the fish oil, which can be more or less expensive and thorough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Krill oil <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the other hand, is made from krill, which is a small crustacean that lives in great swarms in all oceans of the world. Most krill oils however, use the species of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/red-krill-oil\/\"><b>Antarctic Krill,<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like we do at Omega 3 of Norway. Krill oil contains EPA and DHA, but also the <\/span><b>antioxidant <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/krill-oil-the-natural-antioxidant\/\"><b>Astaxanthin<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which gives it its red color and offers some extra health benefits for us! The omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil usually come in the form of triglycerides and phospholipids, making them very easy to absorb and a very efficient source of omega-3 fatty acids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/blog\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8516\" src=\"http:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/shop_now_omega3-510x282-2-300x166-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"557\" height=\"308\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a id=\"conc\"><\/a>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So here we go, those are the differences between omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil! The goal of this article is to clear up some confusion about the use of these different terms and how and why they are both related to omega-3 supplements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now we know that<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fish oil and omega-3 are different things, but the terms are sometimes used to describe the same thing: omega-3 supplements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fish oil is made from the tissue of oily cold water fish<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Omega-3s are a specific type of fatty acids, and there are 3 main types: EPA, DHA and ALA<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Omega-3 supplements are important for our health and well-being and there are different types such as: fish oil and krill oil<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any other questions or doubts please feel free to get in touch via email or leave us a comment!<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find more about our products and information about all things fish oil and omega-3 on our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/blog\/\"><b>blog<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or in our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/norwayomega.com\/shop\/\"><b>shop<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Content Omega-3 Fatty Acids vs Fish Oil Different Types of Omega-3 Supplements Conclusion The terms fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are often used interchangeably but they are actually not the same thing! They are connected, but far from identical so in this article we want to look into the differences between omega-3 fatty acids [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8559,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[125,37,193],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8556"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8556"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8561,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8556\/revisions\/8561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/norwayomega.ae\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}