Some routes to it require the animal to die and some do not, and the label rarely says which was used.
The two diets, side by side
A vegetarian diet excludes animals that were killed. A vegan diet excludes animal products entirely, whether the animal survived or not. Omega-3 Fatty Acids can fall either side of that line depending on how it was made.
Omega-3 depends on where the oil came from. Fish oil and krill oil are out; algal oil is vegan, and it skips the fish entirely, since fish get their DHA and EPA by eating algae in the first place. Flax, chia, and walnuts supply ALA, which the body converts to DHA poorly, so look for algae-derived supplements.
What it is
- Comes from
- Can be derived from: (1) fish oil [not vegan], (2) krill oil [not vegan], or (3) algal oil (microalgae fermentation) [vegan]. Interestingly, fish obtain their omega-3s by eating algae — algal oil bypasses the fish entirely.
- Which animal
- fish, or krill
- Requires slaughter
- Yes
- Where you meet it
- Dietary supplements, some fortified plant milks, infant formula, some fortified cereals.
- What replaces it
- Algal oil-based DHA/EPA supplements. Look for 'algae-derived' or brands like Testa, Nuzest, and Nordic Naturals Algae Omega.
Editorial notes
ALA (found in flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts) is always vegan but converts to DHA/EPA inefficiently. For direct DHA/EPA, algal oil is the only vegan source. Most fish oil supplements can be replaced with algal oil. Some brands specifically market vegan omega-3 using algal oil.
Frequently asked questions
Is Omega-3 Fatty Acids vegetarian?
Depends on Source. Some routes to it require the animal to die and some do not, and the label rarely says which was used.
Is Omega-3 Fatty Acids vegan?
Depends on Source. Omega-3 depends on where the oil came from. Fish oil and krill oil are out; algal oil is vegan, and it skips the fish entirely, since fish get their DHA and EPA by eating algae in the first place. Flax, chia, and walnuts supply ALA, which the body converts to DHA poorly, so look for algae-derived supplements.
Is omega-3 vegan?
It depends on the source. Omega-3 from algae (algal oil) or from plants such as flaxseed and chia is vegan, while omega-3 from fish oil, krill oil, or cod liver oil is not. Check the specific source listed. The general "omega-3" claim covers both.
Is fish oil vegan?
No, fish oil is not vegan, because it is extracted from fish. The vegan equivalent is algal oil. It supplies the same EPA and DHA fatty acids from microalgae, the organisms that fish get their omega-3s from in the first place.
What is the best vegan source of omega-3?
For direct EPA and DHA, algal oil is the best vegan source, as it provides these long-chain fatty acids without conversion. Plant foods like flaxseed, chia, hemp, and walnuts supply ALA, which the body converts to EPA and DHA only inefficiently. Many vegans use both.