Love it or hate it, fish oil and its vital omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to your health. EPA and DHA (two of the most important omega-3 molecules in fish oil) are the building blocks of the brain. We can’t think, grow or evolve without them, and we don’t get enough of them in our daily diets. But, not all omega-3s are created equal:

Myth: I don’t need fish oil because I can get my omega-3s from flaxseed and walnuts..

Fact: There are omega-3s in flax and other plant-based foods, but they are not the best version of omega-3s. There are three main types – EPA, DHA and ALA. Foods like flaxseed, leafy green veggies and walnuts have the ALA form of omega-3s, and while they are good for you, our bodies must convert them into EPA and DHA form before they can be used. The problem is that some people cannot convert them! Also, ALA does not lower triglyceride levels significantly, therefore it does not have the same heart health benefits as the DHA and EPA forms found in fish oil naturally.

Myth: I get enough omega-3s from the fish I eat, and dietary supplements don’t do anything for you.

Fact: The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that we eat only 2 servings of fish per week, due to possible contaminants such as mercury, lead and pesticides found in fish. You will not get all of the omega-3s you need from 2 servings of fish per week. Further, according to the Food and Drug Administration, fish oil supplements improve cardiovascular disease, decrease triglycerides, reduce inflammation, improve immune function, improve memory, increase eye health and much more.

Bottom line is that you should be supplementing your diet with a high-dose, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil every day. It’s the closest thing there is to a medical miracle for the common man!