Omega-3s, short for omega-3 fatty acids, is a family of essential fatty acids that play important roles in the human body. Since EPA and DHA are not made efficiently by the body, it is recommended that these be consumed at higher levels in the diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), meaning that they have several double bonds in the chemical structure. Omega-3s include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and the less known docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). ALA mainly is found in plants, while DHA and EPA are mainly found in animal foods and algae