Omega 3s and vegetarianism?

Question

This is probably a really stupid question, but here goes, I'm a vegetarian, and prior to becoming vegetarian I was taking Nordic Naturals Omega 3's which are fish oil tablets. Can I still take them and be a vegetarian, or are fish killed to make them?

Answer 1

Vegetarians do not take fish oil.

They sell vegan EPA and DHA online.

Fish do not make any Omega-3's they get them from the algae that they eat.

You can get more than a full day's Omega three from two tablespoons of ground flaxseed.

Answer 2

of course. i was a vegan and some of my friends are vegans and they eat fish for the protein, and they're still vegan. What kinds annoys me is that some vegans and vegetarians just say "oh i want to be a vegan" and then they look up everything about them and try not to eat meat and dairy like its a rule to live by to be vegan. but the right way to do it is not want to eat because you want to promote a more human society and THAT'S what defy's you as a vegan. not the other way around..

Answer 3

I take it that your taking the vitamins for the Omega vitamins.

Did you know that you can get both Omega 3 and Omega 6 from eating flax seed?  Just buy flax seed, grind it up (coffee grinder or blender), toss it into whatever it is that your eating (oatmeal in the morning is good).

If you have serious convictions about taking the tablets, know that you don't have to and still be able to get both Omega 3 and Omega 6 along with providing protein, fat, and fiber.

Answer 4

Yes fish die to make those supps. Try another one. Udo's makes a great totally vegan supp with all the needed omegas.

Answer 5

Fish are killed.  You should finish the bottle if you have them.  There is no point in wasting something you've already purchased.

Take Flax Seed Oil supplements instead.  Same health benefits, but vegan.  Just make sure you don't get gelatin capsules.

gkf, people who eat fish cannot call themselves vegan.  Vegans do not eat animals.  You don't get to redefine the word to make it what you want it to be.

Answer 6

For heart health, a fish oil dietary supplement is recommended by most medical experts and naturopathic practitioners. ALA needs to be converted to DHA and EPA in the body....and this conversion does not always take place, especially for people who are in less than optimal health. This would include many elderly folks. On the other hand, if you're in good health flax seed ALA may be converted by the body to DHA and EPA.

Thus, when the heart is concerned in the flax oil vs fish oil debate, fish oil wins in our opinion since you can get the crucial DHA and EPA directly through a quality fish oil. For brain health and symptoms like depression, a fish oil dietary supplement is recommended for much the same reasons.

The brain needs large amounts of DHA, but if the body needs the ALA for some other reason, it may not ever be converted to DHA.

So, when the brain is discussed in the fish oil vs flax seed oil debate, fish oil wins again.

Having said all of this, some people prefer flax oil over fish oil for various reasons. For example, strict vegetarians must supplement their diet with some type of omega-3, but will not take a fish oil dietary supplement.

Answer 7

yes fish are killed, so don´t take them. flax seeds and underwater plants(like seaweed, like for sushie)are good sources of omega3s

Answer 8

1. Vegans DO NOT eat fish.

2. Where do you think the fish get the Omega-3 fatty acids from? Yes! Seaweed! Go to your local health food/vitamin shop and ask which seaweed supplement has the most Omega3's.

3. You get to keep being a REAL vegan and get your Omega3's to boot. Such a deal!