American Heart Association Reveals that Dietary Intake of Omega 3 May Not Be Sufficient for Full Benefits
For years, the American Heart Association (AHA) has recommended that people consume at least two portions of fatty fish such as salmon or mackerel each week in order to supplement their body’s supply of omega 3 fatty acids, a vital nutrient that plays a role in everything from brain health and mental well being to coronary fitness and vitality.
For just as many years, dietitians and other scientists have been suggesting – and in some cases demanding – that the AHA up the recommended amounts of omega 3 that a person needs in their diet. However, since scientific studies on this issue have only recently become widely popular and a focus of many researchers around the world, the medical community has demurred, instead opting to stick to the “Fish Twice a Week” rule instead of going so far as to recommend a supplement or give a firm amount.
However, it appears that the AHA may be slowly changing its mind. The change is subtle, but significant. Previously, on their official website they simply recommended that:
…eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least two times a week. Fish is a good source of protein and doesn’t have the high saturated fat that fatty meat products do. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids…[and] We also recommend eating tofu and other forms of soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and their oils. These contain alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which can become omega-3 fatty acid in the body.
However, recently the website received an interesting addition:
Increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake through foods is preferable, especially in the form of fish oil. However, coronary artery disease patients may not be able to get enough omega-3 by diet alone. These people may want to talk to their doctor about taking a supplement. Supplements also could help people with high triglycerides, who need even larger doses. The availability of high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplements, free of contaminants, is an important prerequisite to their use.
While this may not appear to be a major concession, this may be the first time that the AHA has formally acknowledged the possibility that taking a daily omega 3 supplement might be beneficial to your health. This is exciting news, because it may indicate a shift in the medical community’s approach to omega 3 fatty acid supplements as well.
Finally, the world at large may be learning what anyone who has every taken an omega 3 supplement has known for years: the benefits to having enough omega 3 in your diet can be absolutely life-changing.
To learn about toxin-free omega 3 fish oil supplements that insures that you will get enough omega 3 each and every day, access www.omega-3.us.
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