The Perfect Omega-3

It’s been aptly said, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that ain’t so.” For instance, most North Americans believe that when they eat fish twice weekly as recommended, or take omega-3 fish-oil supplements, that they have sufficient omega-3 essential fatty acids. But a Canadian study using the Omega-3 Index shows that ain’t so. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) including omega-3 are needed for growth, healthy cellular membranes, many reactions in the body, and are crucial for brain, mood, joint, and cardiovascular health. So EFAs have been called, “nutritional missing links.” Two of these essential acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) are key to the reduction of cellular inflammation and they can be measured in our red blood cells. Study after study show that North Americans consume less than what’s required for optimal health. There’s evidence this deficiency is contributing to today’s illnesses. For instance, low levels of EFAs have been associated with mental disorders, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as rheumatoid arthritis and several other diseases.