Fish oil is the most widely used source of omega-3 fatty acids, but it is by no means the only source. A growing number of people know that flax oil as a potential source, but most are unaware of the wide variety of other omega-3 sources already available on the nutritional supplement market.

Shark liver oil, for example, has been described as “an excellent source of alkylglycerols, squalamine and omega-3 PUFAs providing a multitude of health benefits”.

Lyprinol, a nutritional oil derived from stabilised green lipped mussel powder, has none of the side effects typically associated with fish oil supplementation, but is much more expensive.

Another omega-3-rich source is emu oil - an excellent source not only of omega-3 but also of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Emu oil is marketed as a source of good fat helping to balance excess quantities of saturated fats in most diets and consequently control cholesterol.

Seal oil is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids including docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Source: Omega alternatives to fish oil need more promotion