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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

NMR Spectroscopy as a Robust Tool for the Rapid Evaluation of the Lipid Profile of Fish Oil Supplements
Published on: May 1, 2017
Understanding omega-3's
Andrew P DeFilippis1, Laurence S Sperling
1Division of General Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. APDeF@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Omega-3 fatty acids are a subset of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in marine sources as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and in some leafy vegetables, nuts, and oils as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The metabolism of omega-3's may explain the cardioprotective effects observed in epidemiologic and experimental studies. Although most data for cardioprotective effects come from studies of marine sources, vegetable sources of omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid) may have similar effects through in vivo conversion to eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. This document will provide an overview of omega-3 fatty acids with a focus on specific sources, metabolism, safety issues, and their potential indication for cardiovascular prevention.
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