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Q. I've heard that squid oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Is it better than oil from salmon and other fatty fish?
A. No. Squid contains some of the healthful omega-3s found in fish oil, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), that have been linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease. But the levels in squid are only about half of those in fatty fish such as anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and trout.
Squid also has more dietary cholesterol than most other fish and shellfish (excluding oysters and shrimp), and it's often fried (calamari), which adds fat and calories. Your best bet is to get fish oil from two 3.5-ounce servings a week of fatty fish or, if you have heart disease, from fish-oil pills.
Read more about other sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including krill oil and flax seed. And see if fish oil is right for you.
