Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most amazing supplements, because they are vital in so many areas of the body. They are important in proper brain, cardiac, and nerve function. New information is constantly being uncovered showing the importance of getting enough Omega-3s.

The most abundant animal source is the oil from cold water fish. Nutra-Sea from Ascenta is a good quality product that provides both EPA and DHA omega-3s in a potent formula. Many other brands provide more ALA omega-3s, which your body can convert to EPA and DHA. Some suggest that certain people cannot convert ALAs to DHA as readily and thus they become deficient.

In any case, it’s seems logical to just take the DHA and EPA that your body needs directly. The best way to get these is from a highly purified fish oil such as Ascenta Nutra-Sea. It’s very important that whichever fish oil you choose is ultra pure, without hazardous mercury, pcbs, or other contaminants. This is especially true if you’re pregnant. It’s also important that you get a quality brand that does not contain rancid oils.

If you’re vegetarian and you eat plenty of dark green vegetables you may get a fair amount of ALA and EPA, but you should consider at least a DHA supplement such as Deva Vegan DHA.

Deva’s 100% Vegan Omega-3 DHA is derived from algae. It provides only DHA, which is the omega-3 most often deficient in vegetarians who eat a lot of dark green vegetables. This is also a good supplement for pregnant women, because it does not carry the same risk of contamination that a fish oil supplement has, and it contains the most important nutrient for your baby’s brain development, DHA.

If you want a certified vegan supplement, or you just want to get more DHA and don’t want to take fish oil, then I recommend this particular algae-derived supplement.

The other option would be raise your intake of flax seed, or take a supplement derived from it. One possibility is Country Life Omega Flax Seed Oil. This and most flax seed supplements contain only ALA that does not directly provide EPA or DHA (your body should produce those from the ALA).