Since vegetarians and vegans do not take fish or fish oil, they are looking for other alternative plant sources for omega- 3 and -6 fatty acids in a proper ratio.
As I know, oil from some plant and plant seeds, such as flax seeds, perilla seeds, chia seed and nuts, contain hign amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
The vegetable n-3 PUFA alpha-linolenic acid is a very poor source for formation of docosahexaenoic acid, especially at higher intakes. See for example Gibson RA, Neumann MA, Lien EL, Boyd KA, Tu WC (2013) Docosahexaenoic acid synthesis from alpha-linolenic acid is inhibited by diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids 88:139-146. This is very well known, why plants are a poor source of n-3 PUFA, even when they have a high concentration of alpha-linolenic acid. The fact that n-3 PUFA is used as one single term, are confusing the whole area. We need to differ between the long-chain n-3 PUFA EPA, DPA and DHA, and the C18 alpha-linolenic acid.
If I were a vegetarian, I think that I would try to include marine photosynthetic organisms such as macro-algae or even micro-algae in my diet, as certain algae contain some long chain omega-3 PUFA.
Dear Karl.
Thanks for your answer and comment . Microalgae as well as land plants such as perilla, chia, flax seeds contain high amount of alpha - linolenic acid, an omega 3 fatty acids..
Omega-3 acids are part of the therapy that we implement for depression and anxiety. Lack of ome-3 can trigger a depression, see the reference on this paper that we published: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278411982_Nedley_Depression_Hit_Hypothesis_Identifying_Depression_and_Its_Causes?ev=prf_pub
Article Nedley Depression Hit Hypothesis: Identifying Depression and...
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