The Significance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Our Diet
Tomasz Jankowski
2026-03-24
7 min. read
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Omega-3 fatty acids, which are key components supporting human health, should be part of our daily diet. What are these substances and what properties do they possess? Where can we find them?
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential group of unsaturated fatty acids that contain double bonds and are critical for proper human function. The body cannot synthesize them on its own, so they must be supplied through diet. Among the omega-3s are: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Within the body, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is converted into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and then into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids are biologically active and have a positive impact on the human body. However, the conversion of ALA into EPA and DHA occurs to a limited extent and depends on gender. In men, the conversion of ALA into EPA ranges from 0.3 to 8%, while the conversion into DHA is less than 1%. In women, ALA is converted into EPA in about 21%, while the conversion into DHA is 9%. The higher content of EPA and DHA in women is associated with the higher demand for DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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