Why Do We Need Omega-3 and Are You Getting Enough?

Why do we need Omega-3? Your body cannot manufacture it — and yet roughly 40% of your brain's grey matter is built from it. In this episode of So That's Why, Jen, Chris, and Jamie explain why Omega-3 is one of the most important nutrients most of us consistently fall short on. They cover the critical difference between ALA, EPA, and DHA (and why plant sources alone aren't enough), what the research from large scale randomised controlled trials says about heart health, brain function, and mood, and how to identify whether you might be deficient. Chris draws on his 30 years of formulation science experience to explain why not all Omega-3 sources are equal, while Jen walks through the key clinical evidence including the VITAL trial (25,000+ adults, five years) and a Cochrane review of 86 trials involving over 160,000 participants. If you've ever nodded along to "Omega-3 is good for you" without really knowing why, this episode gives you the full picture. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Why Your Body Can't Make Omega-3 02:00 ALA, EPA and DHA Explained 04:30 Heart Health and Cardiovascular Research 05:38 Brain Function, Mood and Mental Health 07:16 Joints, Eyes and Pregnancy 10:07 Signs of Deficiency and How Much You Need Connect and Continue Learning 🔔 Subscribe for weekly science-backed answers: ‪@sothatswhypodcast‬ 💬 What health question have you always wondered about? Tell us below. #SoThatsWhy #Omega3 #BrainHealth #HeartHealth #HealthScience