Allergic to Fish Oil: Alternative Options

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Some people are allergic to fish oil or have an adverse reaction to it. However, they still want the benefits of omega-3 that comes from consuming fish oil. There are several options in this regard. For example, there are vegan or vegetarian options for omega-3. These may include flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, and other seed oils. The problem with seed oils is that with the exception of hemp and flax, they all contain more omega-6 than omega-3. Check out the chart below which gives a breakdown of the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 found in various seeds. As you can see, only flaxseed and chia seed have more omega-3 than omega-6. Walnuts have 4 units of omega-6 for every 1 unit of omega-3 which isn't too bad when it comes to nuts and seeds, but if you are already consuming too much omega-6, this may not counteract it enough. Another point is that the omega-3 from seeds and nuts comes primarily in the form of ALA or alpha-linolenic acid. This type of omega-3 must be first converted by the body into EPA and DHA. From the sources I have read, the conversion rate of ALA to DHA and EPA is around 10-15%. On top of that, ALA does not convert into DPA, another omega-3.

Besides nuts and seeds, what is a better alternative to fish oil? The answer is seal oil. Many people with adverse reactions or allergies to fish do not have the same reaction at all to seal products. The reason for this is that seals are mammals and many say that because of this, their fats integrate easily with human anatomy which is also mammalian. In other words, people who are allergic to fish can obtain omega-3 from a non-fish source such as Atlantic Harp Seal fat. This can be obtained by the consumption of Terra Nova Omega-3 Seal Oil. In fact, just recently, this site received a review from someone in this exact boat. Her naturopath, aware that her client had an adverse reaction to fish, suggested she take seal oil capsules instead. If you are interested, you can check out her review for the details. Also, as mentioned above, seal oil has the added benefit of containing DPA, another important form of omega-3. DPA is found in various fish, and interestingly, in breast milk.

So, if you are looking for an alternative to fish oil for your omega-3 supplementation, and you live in Canada, definitely check out seal oil!