5 of the Best Food Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If you want to get more omega-3s, think beyond fish oil supplements.

Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Updated on September 30, 2023

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Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for your body to function optimally. They help form cell membrane structures, particularly in the brain. A 2015 review of decades of research on the potential benefits of omega-3s noted that adding a few more bites of these fatty acids to your meal plan may help keep your memory and learning sharp by preventing inflammation in the brain as you age.

References

Duyff, R.L. (2017). Complete food & nutrition guide. 5th edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Dyall, S.C. (2015). Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the brain: A review of the independent and shared effects of EPA, DPA and DHA. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

View All References (5)

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Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). EPA-FDA advice about eating fish and shellfish.

Klemm, S. (2022). What are omega-3 fatty acids? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Lee, J.H., et al. (2008). Omega-3 fatty acids for cardioprotection. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for health professionals.

Qian, F., et al. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acid biomarkers and incident atrial fibrillation.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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