The short answer: omega-3s are essential fatty acids — "essential" meaning your body needs them but cannot make them, so they must come from food. They're concentrated in cold-water fish, and they matter because the body builds with fat: cell membranes throughout the body incorporate the fats you eat.* Whether you need a supplement depends mostly on how much omega-3–rich food you actually eat.
What do omega-3s do in the body?
Fat isn't just fuel — it's construction material. Omega-3 fatty acids are built into cell membranes across the body and participate in the normal function of many systems.* Dr. Jack has spent years on the radio un-teaching the old "all fat is bad" idea; the truth is the body runs on good fats and struggles without them.
Who tends to run short?
- People who rarely eat cold-water fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel)
- People who spent decades on low-fat diets
- People whose diets lean heavily on processed foods and seed oils
If that's you, an omega-3 supplement is worth considering — and quality matters more here than almost anywhere else in the supplement world.
What should I look for in a fish oil?
- Freshness. Fish oil is fragile — poorly handled oil oxidizes, and rancid oil does the opposite of what you want. (A strong fishy burp is a warning sign, not a feature.)
- Source and testing. Reputable makers verify purity and disclose sourcing.
- A practitioner behind it. The fish omega-3 & fatty acids collection carries the oils Dr. Jack's practice actually uses — 16 options, chosen by a clinician rather than a marketing department.
How do I know if omega-3s are my priority?
The free 10-minute assessment looks across all your body systems and ranks where support would matter most — fatty acids included. Or call the clinic at (866) 867-5070; describing your diet for two minutes is usually enough for a sensible answer.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you take blood-thinning medication, talk with your physician before adding fish oil.