> "α-Linolenic acid (ALA), (from Greek linon, meaning flax), is an n−3, or omega-3, essential fatty acid. ALA is found in many seeds and oils, including flaxseed, walnuts, chia, hemp, and many common vegetable oils." (wiki1)
> "Mammals are unable to synthesize the essential omega−3 fatty acid ALA and can only obtain it through diet. However, they can use ALA, when available, to form EPA and DHA, by creating additional double bonds along its carbon chain (desaturation) and extending it (elongation)." (wiki2)
There's a claim that the latter biochemical process (ALA -> EPA, DHA) is negatively impacted as humans age. Is this really true? Who knows, this is the supplement industry we're talking about here. Known for peddling things like shark cartilage as a cure for cancer, etc. (I'm biased: I was a QA lab analyst for a supplement outfit for a while and ended up getting fired over refusing to doctor lead content tests so that bulk imported chinese herbs would pass tests. The company didn't want to hold up production of the hottest latest fad, at the time).
> "Mammals are unable to synthesize the essential omega−3 fatty acid ALA and can only obtain it through diet. However, they can use ALA, when available, to form EPA and DHA, by creating additional double bonds along its carbon chain (desaturation) and extending it (elongation)." (wiki2)
There's a claim that the latter biochemical process (ALA -> EPA, DHA) is negatively impacted as humans age. Is this really true? Who knows, this is the supplement industry we're talking about here. Known for peddling things like shark cartilage as a cure for cancer, etc. (I'm biased: I was a QA lab analyst for a supplement outfit for a while and ended up getting fired over refusing to doctor lead content tests so that bulk imported chinese herbs would pass tests. The company didn't want to hold up production of the hottest latest fad, at the time).